Nephi is leading Ishmael’s family back to Lehi’s wilderness camp so that the sons of Lehi can intermarry with the daughters of Ishmael and bring up seed to the Lord. On the journey, Laman and Lemuel, along with some of the sons and daughters of Ishmael, have decided to stir up trouble and want to return to Jerusalem. Nephi is trying to show them the foolishness of their plan, as Jerusalem is about to be destroyed.
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.
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 love this verse. Nephi knows that it is according to our faith that our prayers are answered, and he calls upon his faith as he seeks out the Lord.
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.
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.
I can’t help but wonder how they felt when they saw how easily Nephi burst through his restraints. Did they recognize that as being the hand of the Lord, or did they explain it away, saying that the cords must have been faulty?
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.
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 wording used here, that he did “frankly” forgive them, indicates that he did it wholeheartedly and without hesitation. This speaks volumes about the kind of person Nephi was. He knows his brothers hate him, and yet he is willing to put everything aside and move forward, as if nothing has happened. That takes a tremendous amount of faith and charity.
I also noticed how he encouraged them to pray and to ask the Lord’s forgiveness. Even when his own life has been at stake, Nephi is concerned for the welfare of his brothers’ eternal souls and does what he can to help them improve their relationship with Heavenly Father.
From today’s reading: How easily do we forgive when someone seeks us out and begs us to forgive them?
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Family Home Evening: Forgiveness