1 Nephi 4 – 5:9
Nephi again says “Let us be faithful” and asserts that the Lord is more powerful than Laban. Nephi gives examples of the Lord’s power in action. Laman and Lemuel follow grudgingly. After using their own reasoning and failing twice Nephi now has the Spirit to guide him – he had already done what he could. Nephi finds Laban asleep and is commanded to kill Laban. He balks. Sometimes the Lord’s instructions seem strange or they are difficult for us to follow. This was a test for Nephi. He was close to the spirit so he recognized it and knew what he needed to do. After three promptings he killed Laban. The spirit guides Nephi to Zoram – the man who has the key to help Nephi – and helps Nephi to speak in Laban’s voice. After Nephi has the plates and finds his brothers Zoram is scared but he is comforted as Nephi speaks and offers him his freedom. Zoram chose to stay. When Zoram and the sons of Lehi return Lehi is very happy. Sariah is also happy because her faith had given in to fear and she had complained, but now she was comforted. Lehi had borne his testimony to her but seeing her sons safe had quelled her fears. They all gave thanks to God when they returned home safely.