1 Nephi 2

God came again to Lehi in a dream saying, “You are blessed, Lehi, because of the things you’ve done. You have faithfully conveyed my words to your people as you were commanded to do. Because of this your neighbors seek to kill you.”

God told Lehi to gather his family and travel to the wilderness. Lehi then abandoned his home, property, money and riches. Following God’s advice, he brought only his family, tents and traveling supplies. Our family of six was comprised of my parents, Lehi and Sariah, my older bothers Laman and Lemuel, my younger brother Sam, and me.

We traveled south from Jerusalem for three days, following a river valley which flowed into the Red Sea. Upon our arrival we set up camp there. Laman and Lemuel were not at all happy about leaving Jerusalem and thought Lehi was a fool. They complained about being abducted from the comfort and easy life of the city to die stupidly and unnecessarily in the wilds. They both disbelieved that the great city of Jerusalem could be destroyed, prophecies or not. Lehi named the river where we camped after Laman and the valley after Lemuel, hoping to transform their resistance into participation. When this was unsuccessful, Lehi prevailed upon them by invoking the spirit of God, and filled them with fear, until they relented.

Like Lehi, I wanted to know God’s will. When I prayed, God gave me understanding, and I came to trust my father’s vision. When I told my brother Sam about this, he also believed, but Laman and Lemuel continued to complain and disbelieve. On their behalf I again prayed to God, who answered me saying, “Because of your faith, Nephi, you are blessed. I will lead you to the choicest lands on Earth. If your brothers continue disobeying my will, I will cut them off from my blessings while you will become their ruler and teacher. They and their descendents will be cursed and be deprived of power over you and your descendants. However, if your descendants also rebel against my will, they too will lose my protection and good will.”