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Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 3
BLESSINGS PRONOUNCED UPON THE SECOND GENERATION, VER. 1-21
2 Ne 3:6 Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph,
he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them,
3:6 Lehi had the compassion of a true patriarch. His concern for his rebellious sons, Laman and
Lemuel, had been voiced on former occasions. As the old man approached death he said, "I can
not go down to my grave, save I should leave a blessing upon you" (10). Neither the names nor the
ages of these grandchildren were given. Some doubtless had reached adolescence, for he declared,
"If ye are brought up in the way ye should go, ye will not depart from it" (11). This language
seems to be addressed to growing youths. (See also Prov. 22:6),
2 Ne 3:8 For the Lord God hath said, That inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall
prosper in the land;
3:8 He adds the warning that if they failed to do this, they would "be cut off from my presence"
(9). Lehi assured them, however, "Ye shall not perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you,
and unto your seed for ever" (13). The children of Lemuel were called to the patriarch, and similar
words and blessings were given to them (16).
2 Ne 3:17 And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, he
spake unto the sons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household.
3:17 We are not told what was said to this group, but since these children were Lehi's
grandchildren (see comment I N. 2:12; 5:7) , no doubt he gave them a similar blessing.
2 Ne 3:19 Blessed are thou, and thy seed: for thou shalt inherit the land, like unto thy brother Nephi.
3:19 This is Lehi's third son. Not much is recorded about him. We are told, however, that he
supported Nephi and his father in their efforts to serve God (I N. 2:12). In this blessing it is made
clear that the seed of these two sons would grow together. The promise to Sam was "Thou shalt be
blessed in all thy days." It seems strange that the blessing of this devoted son should come after all
the others.
DEATH OF LEHI, VER. 22-26
2 Ne 3:22 And it came to pass after my father Lehi had spoken unto all his household, according to the
feelings of his heart, and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old.
3:22 Lehi's work was done. He had delivered the message given him by "the Spirit of the Lord"
and the "feelings of his heart." His record ends bluntly: "He died, and was buried."
2 Ne 3:25 For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word.