1 Nephi 2

My thoughts this morning are on the relationship and character of Laman and Lemuel in contrast to Nephi and Sam. As Nephi write years later, he very tactfully said that Laman and Lemuel -

"...were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem..." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:13)

Though I have little evidence specifically to Laman and Lemuel, I think Nephi is suggesting that they were somewhat in line to what the Jews were doing. We may have learned a little to more on the manner of wickedness among the Jews from Lehi if we had his record, but we don't. But we do have Jeremiah's where he wrote of the Jews at that time -

"...they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men..." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 9:2)

"...they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 5:7)

And -

"...every one neighed after his neighbour's wife." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 5:8)

Even to the point -

"...they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush..." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 6:15)

I cannot say if Laman and Lemuel was involved in this wickedness, but we do know they did not have the Spirit with them because -

"...they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:12)

But Nephi did have the Spirit with him in that he -

"...having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father..." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:16)

And like the relationship of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Nephi -

"...spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:17)

This does not necessarily say the Nephi and Sam did not at times struggle in their faith, but they -

"...did not rebel against him (Lehi) like unto my brothers." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:16)

I think that is the key difference. Rebellion means in my mind to intentionally disobey and keep not he commandments.

One may ask why the Lord continued to bless or allow Laman and Lemuel the blessings of the promised land. First, I believe the Lord continues to love His children in hopes of bringing to pass the eternal life of man. But I also believe that Laman and Lemuel were a great blessing to Nephi and Sam in learning patience, kindness, love, long-suffering, tolerance, and other Godlike attributes. For without Laman and Lemuel, they may not have had such an opportunity. Isn't it interesting that even as Nephi -

"...cried unto the Lord for them." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:18)

The Lord's response was more in response to Nephi -

"...Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.
20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:19 - 20)

For Laman and Lemuel had their own responsibility and agency to work out their own salvation.