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

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 2
REBEL AGAINST RETURNING TO THE WILDERNESS, VER. 12-25
1 Ne 2:12 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and
two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael, and their families, did rebel against us;
yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.
2:12 The unity did not endure for long. Laman and Lemuel soon resumed their true character and
drew others with them. What made this rebellion most difficult for Nephi was that Ishmael's two
sons and their wives and two of his daughters joined it. Over half the group ( eight of the fifteen)
wanted to return to Jerusalem and give up wilderness
1 Ne 2:20 For all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be
fulfilled.
2:20 This prophecy must be kept before them, else the desire to slip back into the comforts of a
house and of suburban life would tempt them to turn back. Physical force could not restrain them.
Nephi's hope was to appeal to their testimony of the angel's visit and to their reason.
1 Ne 2:22 For behold they have rejected the prophets and Jeremiah have they cast into prison.
2:22 Jesus said, “Ye are the children of them who killed the prophets" (Matt, 23:27-29). Stephen
also rebuked the Jews by asking, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?" (Acts
7:52). Jeremiah was thrown into a deep water cistern, fortunately nearly empty. He was rescued by
an Ethiopian eunuch, Ebed-Melech, who acted on secret instructions of King Zedekiah (see
Jeremiah 38).
1 Ne 2:24 Now behold, I say unto you, that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with
them.
2:24 Nephi said he was constrained by the Spirit of the Lord thus to speak. This did not convince
the rebellious ones, and they bound Nephi with cords and planned to leave him in the wilderness
for the wild beasts to devour.
NEPHI IS BOUND WITH CORDS, VER. 26-32
1 Ne 2:30 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.
2:30 This demonstration of divine favor only increased the rebelliousness of the brothers, and they
were about to do Nephi violence when others interceded. One of Ishmael's sons was won over to
Nephi's side, as also was Ishmael's wife and one daughter who pleaded for his release. This had
more influence in softening the opposition than did the prophecy or loosening of the bands.