Nephi wrote this record thirty years later after they left Jerusalem for the promised land (I Nephi 19:1-5, 2 Nephi 5:22-31).. First Nephi is the doctrinal

Nephi wrote this record Nephi wrote this record thirty years later after they thirty years later after they left Jerusalem for the left Jerusalem for the promised land (I Nephi promised land (I Nephi 19:1-5, 2 Nephi 5:22-31)..19:1-5, 2 Nephi 5:22-31)..

First Nephi is the First Nephi is the doctrinal foundation of doctrinal foundation of the Book of Mormonthe Book of Mormon..

The heading to 1 Nephi is a summary The heading to 1 Nephi is a summary of the book and is part of the of the book and is part of the original textoriginal text. .

All headings in the Book of Mormon are All headings in the Book of Mormon are part of the original record given to the part of the original record given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the inserts preceding individual chapters (for inserts preceding individual chapters (for example Mosiah 9 and Alma 21).example Mosiah 9 and Alma 21).

The brief summaries at the head of each The brief summaries at the head of each chapter are later additions to help the chapter are later additions to help the reader better understand the chapter.reader better understand the chapter.

What evidence of Egyptian influence is What evidence of Egyptian influence is there in Ancient Americathere in Ancient America??

Two Egyptian statuettes were discovered on the Two Egyptian statuettes were discovered on the Pacific coast of the border of El Salvador and Pacific coast of the border of El Salvador and Guatemala, three meters below the surface. Guatemala, three meters below the surface. They “clearly belong to a class of ancient They “clearly belong to a class of ancient Egyptian funerary statuettes known as ushabti. Egyptian funerary statuettes known as ushabti. Both are incised with hieroglyphic Egyptian Both are incised with hieroglyphic Egyptian texts” (John Walsh, ed., texts” (John Walsh, ed., Re-exploring the Book Re-exploring the Book of Mormonof Mormon, 18-20)., 18-20).

I Nephi 1:2I Nephi 1:2 What is the learning of the Jews What is the learning of the Jews and and the language of the Egyptians?the language of the Egyptians?

There were three basic writing systems for There were three basic writing systems for ancient Egyptianancient Egyptian::

1.1. Hieroglyphs that Hieroglyphs that included included nearly four nearly four hundred picture hundred picture characters.characters.

2. Hieratic2. Hieratic

3. Demotic3. Demotic

Both the hieratic and demotic Both the hieratic and demotic writing systems were used in writing systems were used in Lehi’s time and can properly be Lehi’s time and can properly be termed “termed “Reformed EgyptianReformed Egyptian.” .” (John W. Welch and Melvin J. (John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne, Thorne, Pressing Forward with Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormonthe Book of Mormon, 241). , 241).

1 Nephi 1:11 Nephi 1:1

Laman and Lemuel are Arabic namesLaman and Lemuel are Arabic names..

Sam and Nephi are Egyptian namesSam and Nephi are Egyptian names..

Jacob and Joseph are Hebrew namesJacob and Joseph are Hebrew names..

““Goodly ParentsGoodly Parents” means rich, education was ” means rich, education was expensive and they could provide it for their expensive and they could provide it for their children. children.

I Nephi 1:2I Nephi 1:2

““Language of the EgyptiansLanguage of the Egyptians””

Mosiah 1:1-4 teaches that the Brass Mosiah 1:1-4 teaches that the Brass Plates were also in the “Language of Plates were also in the “Language of the Egyptians.”the Egyptians.”

Reformed EgyptianReformed Egyptian (Mormon 9:32) (Mormon 9:32)

1 Nephi 1:41 Nephi 1:4

Why is the phrase “Why is the phrase “it came to passit came to pass” repeated so ” repeated so often in the Book of Mormon?often in the Book of Mormon?

““Instead of punctuation, the original manuscript Instead of punctuation, the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon divides up its phrases by of the Book of Mormon divides up its phrases by introducing each by an ‘and,’ ‘behold,’ ‘now,’ or introducing each by an ‘and,’ ‘behold,’ ‘now,’ or ‘It came to pass…’ Simply outrageous --- as ‘It came to pass…’ Simply outrageous --- as English literature, but it is standard Egyptian English literature, but it is standard Egyptian practice… In Egyptian these expressions were practice… In Egyptian these expressions were not merely adornments,… they are a not merely adornments,… they are a grammatical necessity and may not be omitted” grammatical necessity and may not be omitted” (Hugh Nibley, (Hugh Nibley, Collect WorksCollect Works, 7:150)., 7:150).

Reign of ZedekiahReign of Zedekiah

Zedekiah was 21 years old when he was made the Zedekiah was 21 years old when he was made the King. He seemed to be well meaning, but was very King. He seemed to be well meaning, but was very weak. He participated in immorality and corruption. It weak. He participated in immorality and corruption. It was his first year of his reign as King of Judah. Mulek was his first year of his reign as King of Judah. Mulek would be his only surviving son. The rest would be put would be his only surviving son. The rest would be put to death when his kingdom was conquered.to death when his kingdom was conquered.

Many ProphetsMany Prophets::

Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephaniah, Obadiah, to name a few.Obadiah, to name a few.

They typically worked alone!They typically worked alone!

Babylonian world domination took control of the Babylonian world domination took control of the kingdom of Judah about 605 B.C. when Jehoiakim was kingdom of Judah about 605 B.C. when Jehoiakim was King of Judah. Jehoiakim attempted a revolt against King of Judah. Jehoiakim attempted a revolt against Babylon. Babylonian forces put Jerusalem under siege. Babylon. Babylonian forces put Jerusalem under siege. Jehoiakim was either killed or captured. Zedekiah, the Jehoiakim was either killed or captured. Zedekiah, the uncle of Jehoiakim, was appointed by Babylon to the uncle of Jehoiakim, was appointed by Babylon to the throne. It was a time of great wickedness among the throne. It was a time of great wickedness among the people of Judah --- immorality and corruption were people of Judah --- immorality and corruption were rampant. This was the setting of Lehi’s day. Shortly rampant. This was the setting of Lehi’s day. Shortly after Lehi’s departure from the area, Zedekiah after Lehi’s departure from the area, Zedekiah attempted another revolt against Babylon, resulting in attempted another revolt against Babylon, resulting in a much greater destruction of Jerusalem in about 587 a much greater destruction of Jerusalem in about 587 B.C. Many people were killed, and most of the rest of B.C. Many people were killed, and most of the rest of the Jews were taken captive into Babylon for the next the Jews were taken captive into Babylon for the next 70 years. This fulfilled Lehi’s prophecies to Judah that if 70 years. This fulfilled Lehi’s prophecies to Judah that if they did not repent they would be destroyed.they did not repent they would be destroyed.


How is this verse textual evidence of the authenticity of How is this verse textual evidence of the authenticity of the Book of Mormonthe Book of Mormon??

In Alma 36:22 we read, “me thought I saw, even as our father Lehi In Alma 36:22 we read, “me thought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God.” These words are a twenty-one word quote from I Nephi 1:8. God.” These words are a twenty-one word quote from I Nephi 1:8. The impressive thing about these verses is that they are separated The impressive thing about these verses is that they are separated by hundreds of pages and several weeks of translating (by hundreds of pages and several weeks of translating (CHFTCHFT, 58-, 58-59).59).

““Given the fact that Joseph dictated as he went, the record’s Given the fact that Joseph dictated as he went, the record’s consistency points to an inspired source for the translation’s consistency points to an inspired source for the translation’s accuracy. After all, can you quote the twenty-one words of Lehi accuracy. After all, can you quote the twenty-one words of Lehi (after having read them)…without looking?” (John Welch, ed., (after having read them)…without looking?” (John Welch, ed., Re-Re-exploring the Book of Mormonexploring the Book of Mormon, 23)., 23).

1 Nephi 1:14, 201 Nephi 1:14, 20 = = Abrahamic Abrahamic CovenantCovenant

I Nephi 1:17I Nephi 1:17 == “Journals”“Journals”

““Those who keep a book of remembrance Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily livesremembrance in their daily lives. . Journals are a way of counting our Journals are a way of counting our blessings” (Spencer W. Kimball, blessings” (Spencer W. Kimball, EnsignEnsign, , May 1978, 77).May 1978, 77).

I Nephi 1:20 I Nephi 1:20 “Tender Mercies of the “Tender Mercies of the LordLord””Elder Bednar testified that the tender mercies of the Lord Elder Bednar testified that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies coincidence. Often the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them.helps us to both discern and acknowledge them.

As you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift As you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord.the tender mercies of the Lord.

Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord” (C.R., Apr. 2005, 105).tender mercies of the Lord” (C.R., Apr. 2005, 105).

I Nephi 2:1I Nephi 2:1 Can a dream be considered a Can a dream be considered a visionvision??

““An inspired dream is a vision give to a person An inspired dream is a vision give to a person while he sleeps….All inspired dreams are while he sleeps….All inspired dreams are visions” (Bruce R. McConkie, visions” (Bruce R. McConkie, M.DM.D., 208).., 208).


Leviticus 1, Leviticus 1, “The Olah Offering, “The Olah Offering,

I Nephi 2:15I Nephi 2:15 “and my Father dwelt in a tent” “and my Father dwelt in a tent”

(total consecration)(total consecration)

The Task of Getting the PlatesThe Task of Getting the Plates::

Lehi asked his sons to get the plates, but did Lehi asked his sons to get the plates, but did not tell them how to do it.not tell them how to do it.

God God --- --- gives instruction to the gives instruction to the Priesthood (prophets, leaders).Priesthood (prophets, leaders).

Prophets --- Prophets --- give instructions to men.give instructions to men.

Men Men --- --- must rely on revelation must rely on revelation from God from God to fulfill God’s to fulfill God’s instructions.instructions.

Getting the plates would be the Getting the plates would be the equivalent of stealing the equivalent of stealing the Constitution of the United StatesConstitution of the United States. .

It would have been almost impossible. It would have been almost impossible.

WhyWhy? ?

There was no metal in Jerusalem, and it was There was no metal in Jerusalem, and it was difficult to get. difficult to get.

Metal was mainly used for Metal was mainly used for war and eating war and eating utensilsutensils..

““Lehi the ManLehi the Man””Lehi was probably born between 650-640 B.C. Lehi was probably born between 650-640 B.C. This estimate is based on the fact that Lehi and This estimate is based on the fact that Lehi and Sariah had four sons of marriageable age --- Sariah had four sons of marriageable age --- Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi --- when the Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi --- when the family departed from Jerusalem. family departed from Jerusalem. They also had They also had daughters who had apparently already marrieddaughters who had apparently already married, , but there is no mention of daughters leaving but there is no mention of daughters leaving Jerusalem with the original company (I Nephi Jerusalem with the original company (I Nephi 2:5). Thus we estimate that Lehi would have 2:5). Thus we estimate that Lehi would have been about forty or fifty years old.been about forty or fifty years old.

Lehi was an educated man who was familiar Lehi was an educated man who was familiar with the Egyptian language as well as his own with the Egyptian language as well as his own Hebrew tongue. He was also a wealthy man.Hebrew tongue. He was also a wealthy man.


Lehi’s teachings were reflected in Lehi’s teachings were reflected in Nephi’s answer.Nephi’s answer.

Joseph Smith said, “I made this my Joseph Smith said, “I made this my rule, when the Lord commands, do rule, when the Lord commands, do it!” (it!” (HCHC 2:170). 2:170).

I Nephi 4:6I Nephi 4:6 This was a trip of This was a trip of faith!faith!

In 1867, President Brigham Young In 1867, President Brigham Young declared to the people of the Church: declared to the people of the Church:

There is no doubt, if a person lives There is no doubt, if a person lives according to the revelations given to according to the revelations given to God’s people, he may have the Spirit of God’s people, he may have the Spirit of the Lord to signify to him His will, and the Lord to signify to him His will, and to guide and to direct him in the to guide and to direct him in the discharge of his duties, in his temporal discharge of his duties, in his temporal as well as is spiritual exercises. as well as is spiritual exercises. I am I am satisfied, however, that in this respect, satisfied, however, that in this respect, we live far beneath our privilegeswe live far beneath our privileges ( (JDJD 12:104).12:104).


““As the LordAs the Lord LivethLiveth””

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said that Elder Bruce R. McConkie said that Nephi had made God his partner. If Nephi had made God his partner. If he failed to get the plates, it meant he failed to get the plates, it meant God had failed. And because God God had failed. And because God does not fail, it was incumbent upon does not fail, it was incumbent upon Nephi to get the plates or lay down Nephi to get the plates or lay down his life in the attempt” (C.R., Apr. his life in the attempt” (C.R., Apr. 1982, 49-50).1982, 49-50).

1 Nephi 3:28 1 Nephi 3:28

Righteousness Lead to IndividualityRighteousness Lead to Individuality!!

Joy not only helps us do our gospel duties Joy not only helps us do our gospel duties but it also increases our individuality. It is but it also increases our individuality. It is sinners who reflect such a stale sameness. sinners who reflect such a stale sameness. Righteousness lends itself to individuality. Righteousness lends itself to individuality. Think, in contrast, of poor Lemuel, who Think, in contrast, of poor Lemuel, who “hearkened unto the words of Laman.” He “hearkened unto the words of Laman.” He was Laman’s satellite. One wonders if poor was Laman’s satellite. One wonders if poor Lemuel ever had any thoughts of his own Lemuel ever had any thoughts of his own (Neal A. Maxwell, “(Neal A. Maxwell, “Brim with JoyBrim with Joy,” 147).,” 147).


The Law of RetaliationThe Law of Retaliation ( (D&C 98:28-32D&C 98:28-32))

The Spirit pointed out that Laban had offended The Spirit pointed out that Laban had offended the Lord three times, therefore the Lord delivered the Lord three times, therefore the Lord delivered him. him.

ExamplesExamples::

1. Elijah and the wicked priest of Baal (1 Kings 1. Elijah and the wicked priest of Baal (1 Kings 18). 18).

2. Samuel slaying Agag (1 Samuel 15).2. Samuel slaying Agag (1 Samuel 15).

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it is the Lord who sets the that it is the Lord who sets the standard of right and wrong: “God standard of right and wrong: “God said, ‘Thou shalt not kill;” at another said, ‘Thou shalt not kill;” at another time He said, ‘thou shalt utterly time He said, ‘thou shalt utterly destroy,’ This is the principle on destroy,’ This is the principle on which the government of heaven in which the government of heaven in conducted -- by revelation adapted conducted -- by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpireafter the events transpire ((TeachingsTeachings, 256)., 256).

The Justified Slaying of LabanThe Justified Slaying of Laban??

There were three attempts to acquire the record known as the There were three attempts to acquire the record known as the brass plates. The first two being peaceful and reasonable.brass plates. The first two being peaceful and reasonable.

Crime #1Crime #1: : False AccusationFalse Accusation

It is understandable that Laban might value the records and desire It is understandable that Laban might value the records and desire to not just give them away, but in his anger he violates the law by to not just give them away, but in his anger he violates the law by accusing Laman of robbery (an act of violent theft). Laman had accusing Laman of robbery (an act of violent theft). Laman had not robbed or expressed any intention to rob, yet Laban sought to not robbed or expressed any intention to rob, yet Laban sought to falsely enforce the law by attempting to murder Laman.falsely enforce the law by attempting to murder Laman.

The Law of Moses had provisions for false accusation, which Laban The Law of Moses had provisions for false accusation, which Laban as a military man would have clearly understood (Deut. 19:18-19).as a military man would have clearly understood (Deut. 19:18-19).

If you falsely accused someone of a crime, then your penalty was If you falsely accused someone of a crime, then your penalty was to receive the punishment that you had intended to bring to the to receive the punishment that you had intended to bring to the person you had falsely accusedperson you had falsely accused. Laban had falsely accused Laman . Laban had falsely accused Laman of being a robber and the penalty for robbery was death.of being a robber and the penalty for robbery was death.

Crime #2Crime #2: : RobberyRobbery

Laban covets the property of Nephi and Laban covets the property of Nephi and his brothers and turns from being a his brothers and turns from being a military leader to the leader of a band of military leader to the leader of a band of robbers by forcibly taking their property robbers by forcibly taking their property and then seeking to kill them under false and then seeking to kill them under false pretenses.pretenses.

Had Laban been taken to court he would Had Laban been taken to court he would most likely have been convicted and most likely have been convicted and been put to death for robbery.been put to death for robbery.

Crime #3Crime #3: : Attempted MurderAttempted Murder

The crime of attempted murder by Laban was committed not once, The crime of attempted murder by Laban was committed not once, but twice.but twice.

ConclusionConclusion::

It is important to understand the Laban committed three grievous It is important to understand the Laban committed three grievous offenses, false accusation, robbery and attempted murder and offenses, false accusation, robbery and attempted murder and received an appropriate punishment for his crimes according to received an appropriate punishment for his crimes according to the Law of Mosesthe Law of Moses

The difficult thing for us to come with terms with is the individual The difficult thing for us to come with terms with is the individual who was used to carry out the sentence. I sometimes think of who was used to carry out the sentence. I sometimes think of Nephi as being in a similar situation as young David when he justly Nephi as being in a similar situation as young David when he justly slew and beheaded Goliath. In both cases, Nephi and David were slew and beheaded Goliath. In both cases, Nephi and David were carrying out God’s justice and had his authority to do so.carrying out God’s justice and had his authority to do so.

Thou Shalt Not Kill UnlessThou Shalt Not Kill Unless…..…..

Exodus 21:12Exodus 21:12 He that smiteth a man, so He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall surely be that he die, shall surely be put to death.put to death.

Exodus 21:15Exodus 21:15 And he that smiteth his And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:16Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:17Exodus 21:17 And he that curseth his And he that curseth his Father, Father, or his mother, shall or his mother, shall surely be put surely be put to death.to death.

Exodus 21:19Exodus 21:19 Whosoever lieth with a beast Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 31:15Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to Sabbath of rest, holy to

the the Lord: whosoever doeth Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath any work in the Sabbath

day, day, he shall surely be put to he shall surely be put to death.death.


Can the Lord change a person’s voice to suit his Can the Lord change a person’s voice to suit his purposes?purposes?

““As Brigham Young rose in that assembly, his face was As Brigham Young rose in that assembly, his face was that of Joseph Smith --- the mantle of Joseph had fallen that of Joseph Smith --- the mantle of Joseph had fallen upon him, the power of God that was upon Joseph upon him, the power of God that was upon Joseph Smith was upon him, he had the voice of Smith was upon him, he had the voice of Joseph….There was a reason for this in the mind of Joseph….There was a reason for this in the mind of God; it convinced the people” (Wilford Woodruff, God; it convinced the people” (Wilford Woodruff, DiscoursesDiscourses, 92-93)., 92-93).

I Nephi 4:32-33I Nephi 4:32-33

So we see that the only way that Nephi could possibly So we see that the only way that Nephi could possibly have pacified the struggling Zoram in an instant was to have pacified the struggling Zoram in an instant was to utter the one oath that no man would dream of utter the one oath that no man would dream of breaking, the most solemn of all oaths to the Semite: breaking, the most solemn of all oaths to the Semite: ““As the Lord liveth, and as I liveAs the Lord liveth, and as I live! (Hugh Nibley, ! (Hugh Nibley, An An Approach to the Book of MormonApproach to the Book of Mormon, 103-05)., 103-05).


The oath is the one thing that is most The oath is the one thing that is most sacred and inviolable among the desert sacred and inviolable among the desert people and their descendantspeople and their descendants. .

There is nothing stronger or more sacred.There is nothing stronger or more sacred.

I Nephi 5:5I Nephi 5:5 Calling and ElectionCalling and Election??


The PentateuchThe Pentateuch. There was obviously more . There was obviously more on them than there is in the Old Testament on them than there is in the Old Testament as we now have it. The prophecies of as we now have it. The prophecies of Zenock, Neum, Zenos, and Joseph the son of Zenock, Neum, Zenos, and Joseph the son of Jacob, and probably many other prophets Jacob, and probably many other prophets were preserved by them, and many of those were preserved by them, and many of those writings for told matters pertaining to the writings for told matters pertaining to the Nephites.Nephites.

I Nephi 5:9I Nephi 5:9 Sacrifice Sacrifice = = sin sin offeringoffering

Burnt OfferingBurnt Offering = = OlahOlah


This record was probably kept in the tribe of This record was probably kept in the tribe of Ephraim, and thus Laban may well have been of Ephraim, and thus Laban may well have been of that tribe.that tribe.

Someday the Lord will raise up a prophet, who Someday the Lord will raise up a prophet, who will also be able to Seer and translate, to who he will also be able to Seer and translate, to who he will give the brass plates that they may be will give the brass plates that they may be translated for the benefit and blessing of those in translated for the benefit and blessing of those in all nationsall nations (Bruce R. McConkie, (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Mormon DoctrineDoctrine, 103). , 103).

In 722 BC the brass plates may well have been In 722 BC the brass plates may well have been the official scripture of the 10 tribesthe official scripture of the 10 tribes..

Documents

Nephi wrote this record thirty years later after they left Jerusalem for the promised land (I Nephi 19:1-5, 2 Nephi 5:22-31).. First Nephi is the doctrinal