Lessons for Our Day from the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Two

Lehi’s Family had both Disciples of Christ and Antichrists

See Preface for definition of Disciples and Antichrists; and also discussion on heroes and villains

Lehi and Sariah were disciples of Christ – Like any couple who strives to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ their lives were so intertwined in matters concerning their family and living the Gospel, they were one. It was so with Adam and Eve where God “blessed them, and called their name Adam” ( Moses 6:9, emphasis added), and it was so with Lehi and Sariah. They rejoiced in the same revelations, and they believed together. They experienced the same challenges in leaving the comforts of home and wealth, and traveling in the wilderness and living in a tent. They experienced together the challenges of crossing the ocean and settling a new land. They hurt together because of disobedient sons, and their joy was great because of righteous sons. Lehi and Sariah were one with each other and one with the Lord. Every married couple can learn from their example.

Sariah was a disciple of Christ; all wives and mothers can learn from her example – Sariah loved her sons, and fearing for their safety she complained, but she quickly and fully repented. And with Lehi “they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel” (I Nephi 5:1-9). She was faithful and endured to the end. In our day every wife and mother could learn from Sariah’s example as she fulfills her role as a wife and a mother. These roles in our day are best set forth in The Family – A Proclamation to the World.

Lehi as a husband, a father, and a prophet was a disciple of Christ – As a good husband, Lehi comforted Sariah in her time of need. (See 1 Nephi 5:6). He saw visions including “the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world” (1 Nephi 1:6-16). He “[dreamed] that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness…and he was obedient unto the word of the Lord” (1 Nephi 2:2-3). Lehi was given the Liahona to guide them in the wilderness. (See 1 Nephi 16:10) When there was no food, he “began to murmur against the Lord his God” and “the voice of the Lord came unto him” and his repentance was complete and acceptable to God. (See 1 Nephi 16:20, 25) Lehi loved his sons, and fearing for their eternal life, he taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and admonished them by the power of the word of God. (See 1 Nephi 2:14, 8; 2 Nephi 1, 2, 3, 4:1-12) In our day every husband and father could learn from Lehi’s example as he fulfills his role as a husband and a father. These roles in our day are best set forth in The Family – A Proclamation to the World.

Laman and Lemuel were antichrists; they continually and willfully rebelled against God, and chose Satan even after they had many manifestations of the power of God:

1. They smote Nephi and Sam with a rod. They were rebuked by an angel who told them to “go up to Jerusalem again” and promised them that “the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands” and “after the angel had departed Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur” (1 Nephi 3:22- 31).

2. They bound Nephi with cords and planned his destruction. Nephi is freed by the power of faith. Laman and Lemuel asked Nephi for forgiveness. He forgives them. (See 1 Nephi 7, Headnote).

3. They plotted to slay Lehi and Nephi, but “the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly” (1 Nephi 16:37-39).

4. They “were desirous to throw [Nephi] into the depths of the sea”, but the Lord shocked them “that they may know that I am the Lord their God” (1 Nephi 17:44-55).

5. On the ship they again bound Nephi with cords and treated him “with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power…” The Liahona ceased to work, and “a great and terrible tempest” that became “exceedingly sore finally caused them to release Nephi. The Liahona began to work and the storm ceased. (See 1 Nephi 18)

6. After prospering in the promised land for many years, “their anger did increase against [Nephi], insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.” Nephi took his family and all who would follow him, and went to live separately in the wilderness. (See 2 Nephi 5:1-5)

Laman and Lemuel were particularly destructive antichrists because they “did willfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe…And they were taught to hate the children of God, even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning” (4 Nephi 1:38-39).

In our day there are people like Laman and Lemuel who willfully rebel against God, and many people teach their children to hate. To counteract this, the best thing we can do is to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, stay in the main steam of the Church, and follow the counsel of our living Prophet. If we do this then we can be certain that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:6)

Released on January 14th, 2024.