1 Nephi 4

“And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do…” (1 Nephi 4:6)

v.1: Remember that chapters were not added until the early 1900s so this is Nephi’s direct response to Laman and Lemuel’s murmuring.

v.3: It’s interesting because the story of Moses was so obviously true to them that not even Laman and Lemuel tried to fight it. It was a fact of history-without it the Jews would not have been where they were. Similar comparisons can be drawn in our day, particularly with the pioneers.

v.4-6: Nephi convinces them to come back, but then leaves them outside the city walls and goes in himself even though he doesn’t really know what’s going to happen.

v. 7-18: This story bothers a lot of people, and it’s right here in the front of the Book of Mormon where everyone needs to deal with it. I don’t think I can add much to what Nephi’s already written. There it is.

v.21: I just think this detail is kind of neat: Nephi keeps Laban’s sword and it is passed on from generation to generation of Nephite leaders, just like David kept Goliath’s sword.

v. 30-34: Now this just makes me laugh. Nephi is one of the biggest understaters in the world. Can you picture in your mind what it looks like for Nephi to ‘seize upon’ Zoram, remembering that Zoram is a full grown man, and remembering that Nephi has to keep him from escaping and from yelling long enough to explain the whole story of their family in the wilderness and explaining how Zoram is free to join with them? This is more than just grabbing Zoram by the arm; Zoram probably thought he was gonna die, he would be freaked out! We’re talking like Nephi going linebacker on Zoram here!

v. 35: Here’s a good proof that the Book of Mormon was actually written on plates. Nephi drops Zoram’s name, and then realizes that we don’t know who he’s talking about yet, so he adds: “Now Zoram was the name of the servant.” If the Book of Mormon was written on parchment or fabricated or whatever, Nephi could have just crossed it out and rewritten it, but not when your hammering into golden plates.

v. 36: From this we learn that Lehi and his family’s departure into the wilderness was done in secret.

v. 37: Now this is just a fascinating insight into Jewish culture, or at least into Nephi’s family. All it takes is one spoken oath from Zoram (whose boss just tried to kill them) and their fears concerning him are gone and he is a part of the family.