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Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 1
1 Ne 1:120 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I
smote off his head with his own sword.
1:120 This incident in Book of Mormon history has caused both its friends and foes to raise
questions. Is this like God? Are the circumstances realistic and possible as related? Doubtless this
is not the way that God wants to deal with men, even with wicked men.
It may even be that Nephi misinterpreted the "voice of the Spirit" for "the spirits of the prophets
are subject to the prophets" (1 Cor. 14:32). They receive the Holy Spirit conveying light to them,
but the interpretation and expression are human. But there is danger in substituting the wisdom of
man and a set of today's conditions for those presented in the scriptures. God has always
manifested himself to man on man's level, for he could not reach him on any other level. Had
Nephi written this impulsively in his youth, some might question his judgment or interpretation on
that ground; but it was written in his mature years (I N. 5:218) and doubtless reviewed and taught
by him many times before his death.
The Hebrew law justified capital punishment: "He that killeth any man shall surely be put to
death" (Lev. 24:17). (See also D. and C. 42:7 a.) In accordance with the law, the Jews in Jesus' day
were about to stone to death a woman taken in adultery (John 8:7; Deut. 17:5. See also I Sam.
15:3; Isa. 65:15). Beheading was a common way of disposing of an enemy. After David had killed
the giant Goliath, he took Goliath' s sword and cut off his head (1 Sam. 17:51).
Remember that the prophets had forecast the destruction of Jerusalem. Laban had been meeting at
night with the elders planning ways to meet the crisis. It was dangerous to be on the street alone;
however, Laban's armor and sword gave him some protection. Nephi was unarmed and would
have been no match for Laban had he been sober. He hesitated to take advantage of the situation
until he was commanded again by the Spirit.
NEPHI SECURES THE RECORDS, VER. 121-132
1 Ne 1:121 And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and
put them upon mine own body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins.
1:121 This was a thoughtful bit of strategy, since the armor and sword would protect Nephi and
the record from robbers who were active on the streets at night. It also fit in with his plans of
obtaining the cooperation of Laban's secretary.
Thus prepared he went to Laban's house and the place where the treasure was kept. He met
Laban's servant, Zoram, and ordered him to get the brass plates. Explanations could come later.
Thinking that his master had need of the records, Zoram promptly complied. The servant, most
likely Laban's secretary, spoke concerning the elders of the Jews with whom Laban had been in
conference. Nephi said he was taking the records to his "elder brethren, who were without the
walls,” and bade him to follow. The whole situation was not only possible, it was quite natural,
and worked out as the Spirit said, “The Lord hath delivered him into thy hands" (1:113).
1 Ne 1:123 And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold I saw the servant of Laban, who
had the keys of the treasury.