1 Nephi 7:22

22 And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.

Again, at the conclusion of a difficult journey, they take time to offer thanks to the Lord for their safe return and accomplished mission. We can learn a lesson from this. That is that the Lord helps us through difficulties, rarely stacks the deck against us, never more than we can handle, and He deserves our thanks and praise at all times.

1 Nephi 7:21

21 And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.

The Lord is very clear throughout the scriptures, in every dispensation, on the matter of forgiveness. As long as an offender seeks forgiveness, he is to be forgiven. Period. Heavenly Father gave His Son, and the Son gave His life so that we might be forgiven of our trespasses. If they can sacrifice so much that we can be forgiven of our sins, surely we can sacrifice a thing as small as our pride to forgive others their trespasses. Holding a grudge does no good to anyone, and only harms the one bearing the grudge. As with other things, forgiveness needs to be done sincerely or it’s not really forgiveness. Nephi “did frankly forgive” his brethren, not out of duty or commandment keeping, but out of sincere love and concern for them. Paul taught that even if we do great and righteous things, if we do it without charity, it profiteth us nothing. (1 Cor 13:1–3)

• Nehemiah 9: 16–17
• Matthew 18: 21–22
• Mosiah 26:31
• D&C 64:9–10
• D&C 121:41–43

1 Nephi 7:20

20 And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.

This is the first time we see real sorrow and regret from actions from Laman and Lemuel. And there is no indication that their repentance is anything but sincere. So why do they keep falling back into the same habits? I think part of it has to do with just the fact that rebellion was a habit with them. Rebellion and anger. Anger is an addictive behavior that Nephi’s brethren had fallen into. Sometimes, after we sin, we fall back into the same pattern, even if we don’t want to. That does not make our desires any less sincere. I think that Laman and Lemuel, and now reinforced by some of Ishmael’s children, were full of anger and resentment over leaving their world, and jealousy over Nephi’s position of authority over them, his elder brothers. If they had the strength of character and the conversion of Nephi, this could have been a real turning point for them. They felt sorrow for their sins to the point of repentance. But, as we shall see, it didn’t last.

1 Nephi 7:19

19 And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.

Laman and Lemuel just don’t get it. I can’t believe that after Nephi breaks out of the bands, they got mad at him again. They did the same thing after the angel appeared to them. They seem to be so frustrated that they can’t find happiness in their rebellion. Now they see that Nephi has more allies than just Sam, they back off a bit. This daughter of Ishmael is most likely the one Nephi married later, the daughter that stood up for him.

1 Nephi 7:18

18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.

This is real interesting, especially if you put it in light of the spiritual as well as the physical. Nephi is bound with chords by his brothers. He prays for strength to “burst the bands with which [he is] bound.” Then the bands were loosed from off his hands and feet. Did the Lord strengthen him to break the bands, or did the Lord just release him? In either case, it was through the strength and power of the Lord that he was delivered.

The same principle applies to our temptation and spiritual bands that bind us. It is only through calling on the Lord to strengthen us to resist the temptation, to break away from the grasp that sin takes on us, that we are able to overcome it. We can’t do it alone. But does the Lord strengthen us to resist temptation, or does he “loose the bands,” take away the desire to sin? I think that may depend upon the circumstances and the person involved. The main point is that we don’t deliver ourselves. The Lord delivers us when we ask.

• 2 Peter 2:9
• D&C 24:1–2

1 Nephi 7:17

17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

I don't remember the source, but Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles points out that Nephi did not ask for the bonds to be removed, he asked for the strength to overcome them. This is a powerful lesson to apply to our challenges and difficulties as well.

1 Nephi 7:15–16

15 Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.

16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

Here is an indication of the pride and general ill temper of Laman and his followers. After chastising them and telling them of the fate of those in Jerusalem, Nephi tells Laman and the others that they were free to return to Jerusalem, but the same fate would come to them. This is why I think there was a spark of something in Laman and Lemuel. They didn’t return to Jerusalem. They had the chance to go, and didn’t. They didn’t like it, but they didn’t return. They knew, or were maybe afraid, that Nephi was right, but they were still pretty angry with him. Instead of considering that his message could save their lives, they tried to kill the message bearer, because they could not be happy in their sin, and Nephi pointed that out to them.

• 1 Nephi 16:1–3

1 Nephi 7:14

14 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land.

Everyone born into this life is endowed with the Spirit of Christ, which gives us the means to judge good from evil. (Moroni 7:16) This Spirit of Christ also “inviteth and enticeth” each of us to live according to God’s commandments. When we reject that influence often enough, when we refuse to repent, that Spirit stops working on us. When that happens, there really is no hope for our redemption. Why? Not because it is not available to us, but because we will not accept it. When we go so far along that path that the Lord stops working with us, essentially gives up on us, then we truly are left alone to find our way back to Him without benefit of light or direction. At that point we have no desire for anything good and beautiful. Once the Lord sees we are beyond His help (and He won’t force His way where He isn’t wanted), He withdraws and we are left to our own strength. This was the situation in Jerusalem that Lehi and his family was fleeing. Jerusalem’s days were numbered, and those who were not listening to the prophets couldn’t, or wouldn’t, see it. As long as we feel guilt for our sins, the Spirit of the Lord is working with us.

• Ezekiel 5:6
• Jeremiah 37:15 (15–21)
• Ether 2:15
• Helaman 4:12–13
• Moroni 8:28
• Moroni 9:3–5
• D&C 1:33

1 Nephi 7:13

13 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.

Looking at this verse as a spiritual metaphor is interesting. The concept of being led to a promised land is something I have discussed before in this journal (see entry for 1 Nephi 2:20), so I won’t spend any more time with that here. Nephi promises his brethren that at “some future period” they will know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the word of the Lord. One thing that the saints and the humble have always had to do is take it on faith that those who are breaking the commandments (represented by the Jews in Jerusalem) would eventually be judged and punished, and those who keep the commandments would be rewarded. For example, some people who don’t pay tithing seem to be blessed financially. At some future time they will need to be accountable for that oversight, but right now they seem to be doing alright. What about those who, breaking the Sabbath commandment, go on outings or recreation on Sunday? We are asked to trust that those who seem to be enjoying themselves while breaking the commandment, who seem to be getting away with it, will get their reward at “some future period.” This is something we need to accept on faith, that all will eventually be rewarded according to their works.

• 1 Nephi 2:20
• 2 Kings 25:4 (1–21)
• Omni 1:15

1 Nephi 7:12

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

Sometimes I wish I really understood the principle of faith. Nephi says that the Lord is limited in how He can bless us. He’s limited by our faith, or lack of faith. A key word in this verse is IF. The Lord can do anything for our benefit IF we exercise faith in Him. Moroni tells us in Ether 12 (a great chapter about faith) that our witness comes after the trial of our faith. It also says that God cannot perform miracles among those with no faith. This is described in Matthew 13:58, where Christ could not perform many miracles in his home country because of their unbelief.

• Ether 12:12, 18
• Matthew 13: 58

1 Nephi 7:9–11

9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?

10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?

11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

When Nephi got after his brothers about giving up the mission to retrieve the brass plates he cited Moses’ experience of helping the children of Israel escape the Egyptian army. This time they have had their own experiences with the Lord that they can remember, and that is what Nephi reminds them of. I don’t suppose Laman and Lemuel had really forgotten these experiences, but they sure weren’t thinking about them when they rebelled this time. Here is evidence that miracles or signs don’t necessarily convert. In 3 Nephi chapter 1 we read about the signs of Christ’s birth and how as soon as those signs were shown Satan sent “lyings” forth among the people, “to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen” (3 NE 1:22; emphasis added). Satan had fertile ground with which to work in Laman and Lemuel. They were all too willing to forget or disregard their own experiences with the Spirit. That’s a dangerous attitude to take with the Lord. Our very salvation depends on remembering His workings with the children of men. (See Moroni 10:3 for the importance of remembering)

• 3 Nephi 1:22

1 Nephi 7:8

8 And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?

How it must have hurt Nephi and Lehi that Laman and Lemuel were so hard and rebellious. Little brothers want to look up to their big brothers. I think that Nephi would have loved to have the luxury of letting Laman be the spiritual leader after Lehi. It’s a great feeling when that responsibility is someone else’s. And I think Nephi would have been a good follower. He never really got the chance to follow his older brothers, however. Nephi was the one who put forth the effort to be converted. From all that I can read, I think Laman and Lemuel had testimonies, but they were not converted. Someone who is not converted cannot be a spiritual leader because their behavior is not worthy of being followed, at least not consistently. Laman wanted the position of leader, but he wasn’t willing to make the changes needed to be the leader. Nephi, on the other hand, was converted and not willing to compromise. Therefore he, by default, became the spiritual leader, and usually the temporal leader as well.

• Mosiah 28:3
• Alma 31:2
• 3 Nephi 17:14
• Moses 7:41

1 Nephi 7:6–7

6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.

7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.

We learn a couple of things about these two families here. We learn that Ishmael had seven children that came on the journey: two daughters and two sons with families of their own, who were inclined to rebellion. They are followers of Laman. These two daughters probably married Laman and Lemuel. Ishmael also had three daughters who were inclined toward righteousness. These are most likely the ones who married Nephi, Sam, and Zoram.

We can also see by the rebellion that Laman and Lemuel did not make this trip because of conversion to the Lord or any desire to serve Him, even though we have no record of murmuring until now. If they had willingly made the trip due to their conversion, they would not have rebelled on the way back to the tent of their father. The fact that they wanted to go back to Jerusalem says they still didn’t believe the situation there was as serious as it actually was.

1 Nephi 7:4–5

4 And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord.

5 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father.

We have no record that Ishmael was a prophet. In fact, the scripture says that “the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household,” which would probably already have been done if he were a prophet. But he at least was a religious man who would listen to the words of the Lord. If Ishmael was not a prophet, I’m sure that as the Lord softened his heart he could see an advantage to leaving Jerusalem. It’s possible that it wasn’t healthy or safe for anybody who believed in the prophets at that time. So in addition to his heart being softened, Ishmael and his family may have seen joining Lehi as their ticket out of a very bad situation.

• Proverbs 3:5–6

1 Nephi 7:3

3 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem.

It is interesting that there is no record of murmuring on this trip. Apparently Laman and Lemuel felt like obtaining wives was a more acceptable reason for returning to Jerusalem than risking their lives for the brass plates.

1 Nephi 7:2

2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness.

Why Ishmael? One obvious reason is because his children matched up favorably with Lehi’s children. There were enough daughters for Lehi’s sons to marry. According to The Journal of Discourses, 23:184–85 (as quoted in the Book of Mormon Institute Manual, p. 19), Joseph Smith said that in the 116 pages of manuscript that was stolen, Lehi found out that he was of the lineage of Manassah. Ishmael was of Ephraim, thus fulfilling prophecy that Ephraim and Manassah would grow into a multitude (Genesis 48). Because their children intermarried, both lines of Joseph’s children were represented in the “Stick of Joseph.”

1 Nephi 7:1

1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.

Obviously there are practical reasons to have women and men together on a journey such as Lehi and his family are making, but the commandment was to “take daughters to wife,” not just “take daughters.” Marriage is critical for many reasons. Among those reasons is that marriage provides a sense of order to society. The family organization is the basic unit of any society. The stronger the individual family units, the stronger the society is. It’s like a chain made up of individual links. Any weak link affects the integrity of the whole chain.

On an eternal level, celestial marriage is critical for our exaltation. Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 says that without celestial marriage we cannot attain the highest degree of glory in the Celestial Kingdom. We can come close, but marriage is what makes that last reward possible. Men and women depend on each other to be exalted. It’s been said that salvation is individual; exaltation is a family reward.

• D&C 131:1–4

1 Nephi 7 overview

Lehi’s sons return to Jerusalem and enlist Ishmael and his household in their cause—Laman and others rebel—Nephi exhorts his brethren to have faith in the Lord—They bind him with cords and plan his destruction—He is freed by the power of faith—His brethren ask forgiveness—Lehi and his company offer sacrifice and burnt offerings. Between 600 and 592 B.C.

Here is the account of another trip taken to Jerusalem, this time to get wives. There’s no account of Laman and Lemuel murmuring that they had to make another trip to Jerusalem. Perhaps they felt like a wife was a more worthy mission than a record. After they got the wives, however, they started in with the bad attitude again. The Lord and other faithful family members had to intervene in order for Laman and his followers to not take Nephi’s life.