1 Nephi 3

Friday, June 21, 2013


The Lord appeared to their father in a dream and told him that Nephi and his brothers were to go to the house of Laban so that they could receive the genealogy of their forefathers. When the father told Laman and Lemuel this, they said that it could not be done because it is too hard. But the Lord would never give us something if He is not willing to help us with it. And in Luke 1:37, we are told "for with God nothing shall be impossible." So Laman and Lemuel are incorrect, nothing is too difficult for the Lord to accomplish. 
Nephi, on the other hand knows this and says to his father "I will go and do  the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Nephi literally tells us that the Lord will never give us something which we cannot accomplish. That is not saying that it will be easy, but it will at least be possible. 
After reading this section, the one which is stated above, I felt a massive lift in my faith. With this, I have faith that the Lord can soften my parents' hearts even though it seems impossible right now. I think so often, we are tempted to be unfaithful because a challenge we face is difficult. But this is the time we need to rely on the Lord the most.
Nephi and his brothers head down to the house of Laban and Laman is chosen to ask Laban for the genealogy records. Laban got extremely mad and said that Laman was a thief and chased him off. When Laman returned to his brothers, he said the task was impossible and that they should return to the tent of their father. Lemuel agrees, but Nephi says they cannot return because they have not completed their task. I am sure it must be extremely difficult for Laman and Lemuel at this time. They have also lost everything and without faith in the Lord, they really have nothing. I think we can view Laban as the thing that weakens our faith here in our everyday lives. He's like the mountain that stops us from continuing to where we want to be. For Laman, Lemuel, and us, if we trust and have faith in the Lord, these challenges will not be or seem near as difficult. Also, we cannot give up on our first attempt to overcome something hard. Sometimes persistence and perseverance is the key. 
Nephi tells his brothers "Let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord." So he's basically telling his brothers to have faith. In Alma 32:21, we are told that "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." While they do not know or have knowledge as to why this task is so difficult, Nephi knows and has testified to his brothers that the Lord exists and will help them. 
Laman and Lemuel were finally convinced by Nephi (who, by the way is their youngest brother) to go visit Laban again. He also convinces his brothers to trust the Lord. Nephi took all of their property, silver, gold, and all to Laban's house to trade. Laban began to lust for what they had. So Laban sent a servant to kill them (don't worry, they lived). They did end up losing all they had to the hands of Laban. At this time, Laman and Lemuel were extremely angry with their brother and father. They also, once again, hardened their hearts again the Lord. 
I think Laban is an example of how many people of this world are today. They, like Laban, lust after the possessions of others; they are obsessed with material items. I find this quite sad because material items will not bring you happiness and they most certainly will not help you return to your Father in Heaven. 
The Lord sent an angel to tell them that they needed to return to the house of Laban and that he, Laban, would be delivered into their hands. Even with the angel, Laman and Lemuel talked badly of the Lord and doubted His abilities. I don't understand how they could do that after having seen and heard an angel.