Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 1
1:123 This is a further indication that this man was more than a domestic servant in Laban's
household. He was entrusted with the keys to the room containing all the valuable possessions of
Laban.
1 Ne 1:131 And it came to pass that when Laman saw me, he was exceedingly frightened, and also
Lemuel and Sam.
1:131 Naturally the sons of Lehi were expecting only one man without armor and sword. Laman
had once before had a frightening experience with Laban and the servants who were sent to kill
him.
ZORAM AGREES TO GO WITH THEM, VER. 133-145
1 Ne 1:134 And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren, he began to
tremble, and was about to flee from before me, and return to the city of Jerusalem.
1:134 So far as the record reveals, the servant was not suspicious of the plot until he saw these
three and their taking flight at Nephi's appearance. Then he was sure that he had been deceived
and he had justification for believing that his life was in danger.
1 Ne 1:136 And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the
Lord liveth, and as I live, even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare his life.
1:136 Sealing an agreement with an oath made it binding among the Israelites (Josh. 9:15-20).
Nephi's strength and kind words also persuaded Zoram that his life was in good hands. Nephi
promised that he would be a "free man like unto us" if he would accompany them into the
wilderness. He also assured him that what he had done was according to the command of the Lord.
Then Zoram made an oath to remain with them.
1 Ne 1:143 Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause, that the Jews might not
know concerning our flight into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us.
1:143 Doubtless they regarded the genealogical record as well as the law and the prophets as very
important. It was carefully guarded by Laban, and all of the gold and silver possessed by Lehi
would not tempt him to part with it. Should the Jews discover the whereabouts of it, they would
not hesitate to hunt it down and return it to Jerusalem.
SARIAH MOURNS SONS AS DEAD, VER. 146-152
1 Ne 1:149 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying, I know that I am a visionary
man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God,
but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.