1 Nephi 1-4 – Tender Mercies of God

We are immediately introduced to the family of Lehi, specifically to the youngest son Nephi, who, despite the “many afflictions in the course of [his] days,” knows that he was “highly favored of the Lord.”  He had a “great knowledge” of the goodness and mysteries of God.  We learn that his parents were diligent teachers.  His father Lehi taught him in “the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.”

In the same year that the Book of Mormon begins – approximately 600 B.C. – prophets such as Jeremiah are coming throughout Jerusalem prophesying and crying repentance.  Even Lehi was grieved for the wickedness and spiritual blindness of the people that he prayed to the Lord “with all his heart, in behalf of his people.”  He sees and hears things to make him “quake and tremble exceedingly.”  Lehi sees a vision of the heavens, of the Savior and His Apostles, of a book he is bidden to read from.  He is led to praise God for what he reads, though he sorrows for what will happen if the people continue in wickedness.

But he must do his part to warn the people and is called to prophesy of the coming of the Messiah and to preach repentance to the people, or else Jerusalem will be destroyed.  Well, they don’t want to hear it.  They know they’re righteous.  How dare Lehi come and tell them this?  Yet, despite the threats on his life, we see the “tender mercies of the Lord… over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.”  Lehi is commanded in a dream to take his family and provisions and leave Jerusalem, leaving behind all the comforts they had known.

Yet, the Lord knows they will need His word in order to teach their children and raise them in righteousness.  Though, why he waits until Lehi’s family have travelled so far away from Jerusalem before calling Nephi and his three older brothers, Laman, Lemuel and Sam, back to retrieve the brass plates from Laban is not clearly stated.  I believe that it’s a test of faith for all involved.  Are they willing to go back to get the plates from this wealthy, wicked man?  Laman and Lemuel complain about it being a “hard thing”, but Nephi expresses his willingness and faith to do as the Lord commands.  The first two times, the brothers rely on themselves and their wealth to attempt to get the plates from Laban, both times ending in nearly a loss of life.  The third time, Nephi goes in alone, having no plan but relying solely on the Spirit to guide him.  Laban is delivered into his hands and killed, and Nephi retrieves the plates of brass, bringing along Laban’s servant Zoram.

Our Father in Heaven truly watches over those that obey his word.