37 And Laman said unto Lemuel and also unto the sons of Ishmael: Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren.
This could be the first premeditated conspiracy recorded in
the Book of Mormon. Laman especially must have been extremely angry. Up until
now, Nephi and Lehi could pretty much keep the rebellion in check, often with
an appeal to the experiences of their ancestors, such as Moses leading the
children of Israel out of bondage to Egypt. This time, Laman seems pretty
determined, even conspiring to break the Mosaic Law outright, and murder his
father and brother. Several times Nephi has compared his brethren to the Jews
in Jerusalem. Those Jews at least gave lip service to the Law of Moses, except
when it came to prophets.
This verse coming at this point in the narrative almost makes
it sound like Laman is offering his father to the children of Ishmael to
compensate for the loss of their father, Ishmael, in some sort of apology for
dragging them along on this foolish wild goose chase. “You lost your father
because of my father, so let’s lose our father to compensate. Oh, and we’ll
throw in our pesky brother as an added bonus.”
As justification for killing Nephi, Laman states that he
(Nephi) has always tried to usurp his (Laman’s) rightful place, as the eldest
son, to be the ruler and teacher, next in line from Lehi. That’s the rightful
position in customary inheritance practice at the time. The same complaint was
made against Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob. Even Jacob seems to be surprised
at some of the dreams that Joseph had (Genesis 37:9–10). The proud or putout
always resent when those who offend or put them out then claim some sort of
leadership over them. The children of Israel made the same complaint to Moses
(Numbers 16:12–14). Never mind that the Lord makes these appointments, not the
servants of the Lord, who simply, and often reluctantly, accept the assignment.
In this particular case, and angel had told Laman that Nephi was chosen to be a
ruler and teacher over him and his brethren because of their iniquities (see 1
Nephi 3:29). So Laman should have known better, but pride seems to be his big
downfall. He just can’t get past the fact that he is not the one chosen to
lead, although, if not for his iniquities, he very well might have been that
leader.
- Genesis 37:10 (9–11)
- Numbers 16:13
- 1 Nephi 2:22
- 1 Nephi 3:29
- 1 Nephi 7:16
- 1 Nephi 17:44
- 2 Nephi 1:24
