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

LEHI'S FAMILY SEPARATES, VER. 1-29
Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 4
2 Ne 4:2 But behold, their anger did increase against me; insomuch that they did seek to take away my
life.
4:2 Nephi later calls the "anger" of his elder brothers "hatred" (20). It increased until they sought
to take Nephi's life.
This was not the first time that they had threatened his life. When the first attempt to get the
records from Laban by Laman ended in failure and Nephi insisted on going back for another try,
Nephi was beaten with a rod. He might have been killed had not an angel interceded (I N. 1:92,
93). After obtaining the plates of brass, while they were traveling back to Lehi's camp, Nephi's life
was again threatened by them (I N. 2:27). On board ship the brothers planned to throw Nephi
overboard (I N. 5:153, 154). Here in America Nephi faced physical destruction for the recorded
fourth time. This time the Lord gave warning that Nephi should flee and take all who would go
with him (7).
2 Ne 4:4 For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler: for it belongs unto us, who are the elder
brethren, to rule over this people.
4:4 Jealousy and ambition played the major part, but they talked only about the rights of age based
on the Hebrew law of primogeniture. This law governed in Europe for many centuries, but has
now died out except in England, where it is partially in effect.
2 Ne 4:8 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family,
and Sam, mine elder brother, and his family, and Jacob, and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my
sisters, and all those who would go with me.
4:8 This is the only record left to us which reveals that Nephi had sisters. We know that Ishmael
had two sons (I N. 2:12) who joined the Lehites. They usually sided with Laman. If they married
Nephi's sisters it may indicate that their husbands were converted so that they "believed in the
warnings and the revelations of God" (9).
2 Ne 4:11 And after we had journeyed for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents.
4:11 The distance they went is vague, but there is indication that the division from the Lamanites
was permanent. Even after so many evidences of God's guidance and blessings, Laman and
Lemuel were still rebellious. This divinely inspired separation indicates that "my Spirit shall not
always strive with man" (D. and C. 1:5g).
By popular acclaim, the place where they found their new home was called Nephi (12) and the
people wanted to be known as "the people of Nephi" (13).
2 Ne 4:18 And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land.
4:18 Nephi prefaces this statement with the explanation that they observed to keep the law of
Moses. The seed they planted brought abundant returns, and their flocks and herds did well.