1 Nephi 2

Lehi counsels with his sons Laman and Lemuel

Feel free to join in with your own comments, ideas or suggestions.  In this study of The Book of Mormon, my primary goal is to strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ and to increase my understanding and appreciation for His word, and His Spirit.  Nevertheless, I am certainly not opposed to seeking a greater understanding of any aspect of The Book of Mormon, whether it be linguistic, cultural, political, geographical, historical, archeological or otherwise, for which reason, I will link to other commentary and if I notice something relevant, I will comment on that as well.

Here are a couple of things that struck me about this chapter:

Lehi loves his sons Laman and Lemuel very much, and his admonitions toward them echo through the ages.  He counsels Laman to be like the river, and to run to the fountain of all righteousness.  He counsels Lemuel to be firm, steadfast, and immovable like the valley.  These counsels and admonitions came after he had built an altar, offered sacrifice, and prayed with thanksgiving.  Again, I am impressed by Lehi's attitude in prayer.  Here he was, in the wilderness, having given up his possessions and his comfortable life in Jerusalem to be obedient to the Lord, and his first thought is to offer sacrifice and to give thanks to God.  Temple parallels are strong in the first couple of chapters of The Book of Mormon.

Another thing that caught my attention this time is not just that Laman and Lemuel murmured because they didn't understand the ways of the Lord, but that Nephi followed Lehi's example of prayer.  But what really stood out to me is that when Nephi prayed and desired to know the mysteries of God (v. 16), he didn't immediately receive an answer like that of his father.  There was no pillar of fire that came to dwell upon a rock.  No visions.  No angels.  Instead, in answer to his prayer, the Lord softened his heart.  Think about that.  In response to his earnest and sincere prayer, the Lord softened Nephi's heart so that he believed the words of his father Lehi, and did not rebel.  This is a pattern for receiving revelation, and a starting point on the path of discipleship.  Notice how Nephi's early revelations came from the Lord through his father, through the priesthood channel (see Elder Oaks Two Lines of Communication).  Thus the starting point was for Nephi to believe the truth that his father taught.  Sam was just as faithful, believing in the words alone of his faithful brother Nephi. This ability to believe was a natural byproduct of the softness of Nephi and Sam's hearts.  When the ground was soft and fertile, seeds of faith in Christ could be planted and nourished.

After Nephi had believed the words of his father, or in other words, after he had aligned himself with the Lord's channel of revelation through his father and priesthood leader Lehi, he was enabled to receive his own personal revelation in the marvelous verses that follow (v. 19-24).

Thus Nephi reveals a pattern for seeking the Lord, with faith, diligence and humility as prerequisites to revelation:

"And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart." (1 Ne. 2:19)

For more commentary on 1 Nephi 2, click here.