Nephi has just delivered an impassioned speech to his brothers about the importance of repentance and turning our sins over to the Lord. He has told the consequences of sin and the fate that awaits the wicked. For the time being, they seem subdued and aren’t causing contention.
It’s in this quiet lull that we read about the weddings that take place. As we recall, Nephi and his brothers returned to Jerusalem to ask Ishmael and his family to travel into the wilderness with them. Some have asked why they didn’t take Ishmael with them in the first place, rather than going back for him. After reading some other books on the subject, I believe Lehi had to get a safe distance away from the city to preserve his own life. Hence, sending his sons back for the plates and Ishmael’s family—there wasn’t time to arrange everything before leaving. His life was in danger.
7. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife.
Not a very romantic verse, but we learn in subsequent verses that Nephi’s wife believed in him and that Laman and Lemuel’s wives enjoyed wickedness, so we can suppose that they were all of similar personalities and that being married to each other wasn’t a big mismatch.
8. And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him. And also, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.
Nephi feels blessed exceedingly—more evidence that he loved, or at least, got along well with his wife.
9. And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my father by night, and commanded him that on the morrow he should take his journey into the wilderness.
This must have been a big relief to Lehi. They’ve been camped in this spot for a while, as they wrapped up their affairs in Jerusalem. Lehi knows his life is in danger and he knows they are to travel to a new land. He must have felt a little anxious to be moving on to the next step in the Lord’s plan.
10. And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.
The journey commences and Lehi’s family prepares to set off into the wilderness. Some went willingly, others with much grumbling.
I’ve done a bit of conjecture about these verses, and I remind you that these are my thoughts only. Jot down the thoughts you have as you read the scriptures—mine are just a jumping off point and shouldn’t replace your own ideas and inspiration.
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