Nephi is trying to convince his brothers to help him construct a ship after the manner which the Lord has shown him. But Laman and Lemuel are feeling sorry for themselves and are rehashing all the grievances they feel they’ve endured since heading out into the wilderness, rather than thanking the Lord for sparing their lives and making it possible for them to have food and shelter all this time.
21. Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy.
22. And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.
Laman and Lemuel obviously weren’t paying attention to what was going on in Jerusalem when they left. The laws of Moses were being followed to a certain extent, but only the letter, and not the spirit. We also know that the Law of Moses is not complete, and when Lehi stood in the streets and told the people of their need to live the gospel more fully, they decided his life would be forfeit. If Laman and Lemuel had stayed behind in Jerusalem, their lives would have been in danger too, as Lehi’s sons. If the people of Jerusalem had truly been willing to listen to the voice of the Lord, rather than planning to take Lehi’s life, they would have been seeking out their repentance and doing what they could to set themselves in order.
23. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying: Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord?
24. Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead them out of bondage?
25. Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage.
26. Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.
27. But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh.
28. And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.
29. Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.
30. And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God.
In these verses, Nephi is comparing their situation to that of the children of Israel, and pointing out to his brothers that the Lord is watching over them just as He did the Israelites. He’s also making a point of the power of God over all.
I think it’s interesting to note the importance of keeping records so we can look back at our ancestors and take lessons from their lives into our own. Without recordkeeping, Nephi would not have been able to relay these stories to his brothers.
From today’s reading: in what ways do stories from our ancestors’ lives touch us today? Do we record our own experiences so we can look back and remember times we have been blessed, so we can be comforted in the knowledge that it will happen again?
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