1 Nephi 4

As Nephi -

"...was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 4:10)

As we liken the scriptures to myself, I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do in Nephi's predicament.  Is there really a "time to kill".  I've thought of situations where it would be necessary to do so in defending my family.  The Spirit reasoned with Nephi -


"...the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 4:11)

The Spirit also added -

"...the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 4:13)

Throughout the scriptures, these were reasons enough that many were killed.  I believe in Nephi's day, the very fact that one had robbed you of everything as well as attempted to kill you was sufficient to do so.