Laman the Brother of Nephi Chapter one

The Book Of Laman

Let it be known, that I, Laman, have nothing but the dearest admiration for our father Lehi. He and Mother have in earnest sought after our welfare all the days of our lives. I recall from when first I came to myself that our father Lehi attend all the sacrifices at the temple frequently and taught of the great beauty of the House of Israel and the blessings bestowed upon our people as God's chosen people. I understood Father then as he spoke of the glory of Zion and the eventual conquest of Judah over all its foes.

I, Laman, took great satisfaction in the thought that one day our people would be wealthy and wise as in the days of Saul, who is the greatest and most favorite servant of God. The prophets suggest that Saul was too holy to have another of his line to take his throne so it was handed to David. Father would argue that God rejected Saul, but I, Laman, did not see the proper logic in this thinking—seeing that the Great man of God, like Solomon, Saul offered sacrifice to God himself. It seems honorable to remember Saul as the great leader he is and the shining example of Our Kingdom, Israel, at its greatest.

My lack of interest in the history of religious interpretations of Father changed when one night Father confided in me of a vision that he experienced, which I will relate hereafter; but first I proceed with my sayings.

Father has always spoken of visions or dreams that have given him understanding into the history of our people. I will tell you of the great wrestle that I had with our father and the tragedy that followed.

I was about with my brothers, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi with the sons of Ishmael Joshua and Zenos attending some festival at the temple. Rumors of strange men and women frequenting the temple gates to prophesy and warn the people of some great travesty of God in Israel flooded the streets of Jerusalem like the sandstorms during the dry seasons. As we stood in the courtyard waiting for the priest to reappear, a group of these so-called holy people entered the gate and stood lamenting about the destruction of the temple and the captivity of the people of Jerusalem.

All went quiet as one of those people spoke, who all knew to be a prophet of some repute, Jeremiah. Nephi, as bold and headstrong as ever was the first of our group to speak. He seemed to want to gain our admiration since he was the youngest of our group. His whisper to us hissed across the court as he said, "But Father has said that Israel would be redeemed and free of its oppressors." I yanked his arm roughly. That type of communication was not looked upon lightly these days with the wars of Egypt and Babylon. Any such speech could be looked upon as treason and could bring death to the house of our father. As the eldest son and executor of the estate, I had to protect the legacy of the house. Saying any of those such opinions outside the privacy of our home brings jeopardy to Father.

I am certain that Nephi did not take the hint as the eyes of the people, including Jeremiah's, scanned the now murmuring crowd to see who spoke those words because he spoke again—and directly to Jeremiah.

"Why do you say such things, and by what authority do you speak." I nearly lost my senses with the lad.

"Sir, I know your face," Jeremiah squinted as the mid-morning sun struck his eyes while he strained at my brother. "What quorum of elders do you represent?"

"Holy messenger," I said quickly realizing that a group was slowly forming around us as Jeremiah mistook Nephi for something more than he was. "He is but a lad and is young and he knows not his place to speak to a teacher as you. Please forgive his impunity." The people murmured more. I could feel the heat rising in my chest. I wanted then to give that child Nephi lashes! He looked to me with an apologetic smile as Jeremiah nodded and continued to speak, lamenting to the crowd. The crowd soon forgot our part and began to jeer or support the messengers from the church.