Development of a Prophet/Guidance

The story of Lehi is one of successive revelations that guide him and his family in their journey. 1 Nephi 7 is a good example of this because Lehi has already received at least 4 revelations (2 in 1 Nephi 1, 1 in 1 Nephi 3, 1 in 1 Nephi 5), and then he gets a new one. The revelation in 1 Nephi 5 is about his seed and what they will do. Then the Lord reveals to him that his sons need to go get wives before they leave to the Promised Land. Therefore, they go back to Jerusalem and convince Ishmael and his 2 sons and 5 daughters to come with them. It's interesting to see the guidance of the Lord occur over time and piece by piece as Lehi fulfills previous commands. Revelation and life is a process that we receive help with as we do our best. Here's the verse explaining the revelation that came after Lehi prophesied about his seed.

1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of ^aprophesying 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 ^bdaughters to ^cwife, that they might raise up ^dseed unto the Lord in the land of promise.

Also, consider the importance of one of the sons of Ishmael. He was one of the complainers that was going to return to Jerusalem. However, later it appears that he switched sides and helped convince Laman and Lemuel to release Nephi. We don't know how important that decision was to switch sides, but it's important to be flexible and be quick to learn. That can help accomplish so much as being stubborn only helps perpetuate mistakes, which can be so damaging. I admire the son for changing sides so quickly and helping out in this situation. Here's the verses:

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

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 ^adaughters 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.

Have a good day.

Willingly Obedient and Quick to Learn; Applying the Scriptures to yourself and learning from ancestors

1 Nephi 5 is somewhat of a culminating chapter to the experience of going to get the plates. We're told of Sariah's complaints against Lehi but then of her testimony that God had indeed inspired her husband and protected and given power to her sons. We never hear of her complaining again despite the numerous trials they went through over the next several years. She appears to be quick to learn and doesn't forget the lessons she is taught. This is such a critical trait for us to have. We should not have to be taught by the Lord numerous times, and it's important that we retain the lessons he gives us. I admire Sariah very much. Here's her testimony in 1 Nephi 5:

8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath ^acommanded my husband to ^bflee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could ^caccomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.

We also learn what they initially prized from the plates of brass. They make particular mention of a few items, including that they were descendants of Joseph. In particular they mention that he too had his family preserved by the Lord and also that his descendants were led by God out of Egypt. This is very similar to what Nephi/Lehi were asked to do, and they probably found hope and faith and learned lessons through the scriptures and the story of Joseph and the Israelites. This is the second example we have of Nephi "applying the scriptures unto himself" (the first was in reminding his brothers that God delivered Moses, why wouldn't he deliver them from Laban). It's something he exhorts us to do later in 1 Nephi - (1 Nephi 19:23)). It becomes clear that it's something he did himself.

Also, note that they focused on the fact that Joseph was an ancestor. They learned from his example. Perhaps it's a message to us to pay attention to the lives of those who have come before us as there's things to learn from them as well. Interestingly, after reading about Joseph, his ancestor, Lehi then prophesies about his own posterity. Likely family was a powerful idea on his mind at the time. He also prophesied that the plates of brass would be important - they ended up keeping his posterity faithful (as we learn in Omni 1 by seeing that Muleki's descendants were no longer faithful) and would keep others faithful throughout time. The scriptures and family are 2 clearly important themes in this story.

Here's what they read and emphasized from the brass plates:

14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the^aplates of brass a ^bgenealogy of his ^cfathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of ^dJoseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of ^eJacob, who was ^fsold into Egypt, and who was^gpreserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.

15 And they were also ^aled out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.

Here's his prophesy on family and the scriptures:

17 And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed—

18 That these ^aplates of brass should go forth unto all ^bnations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed.

19 Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should ^aneverperish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.

Let's take advantage of the scriptures and become as close to family as possible.

Have a great day.