1 Nephi 3

1 Nephi 3

1 Nephi 3: 1-4

speaking in the tent..............................Nephi has a private conversation with his father
Lord has commanded........................Nephi learns that he has duty assigned to him
plates of brass..........................Lehi's description of the record,  family and religious history
Laban..................................the family member in possession of the record

Nephi is called, along with his brothers to retrieve the family record from Laban.  They should travel back to the Jerusalem area to get them and bring them back.

1Nephi 3: 5-6

murmur hard thing.............................the brothers do not want to go, consider it impossible or unlikely
commandment.................................they misunderstand--that it is not a request but a divine commandment
favored....................................divine assistance, because the attitude is correct

Nephi's reception of the commandment contrasts dramatically with his brothers' negative complaining attitudes.  Lehi believes that those who faithfully fulfill assignments receive divine help

1 Nephi 3:  7-8

will prepare a way..................the Lord does not ask servants to do impossible things
exceedingly glad......................Lehi feels assurance.  His son eases his mind and demonstrates faith.

Occasionally the Lord manifests the faith of others through the spirit.  We can know that we have reached through.

1 Nephi 3:  9-14

consult.........................the brothers, once arriving at the destination, talk together to make a plan
cast lots......................allow the lots to determine who will act out the decisions
Laman goes to Laban....................the oldest brother is first to act.  He goes
thrust out......................Laban throws Laman out, makes accusations
exceedingly sorrowful................discouraged, unwilling, dismissive

The first attempt does not succeed.  Laman wants to stop the mission immediately.

1 Nephi 3: 15-20

will accomplish..................Nephi has a conviction of the mission, refuses to cave in
father's inheritance..............Nephi will use the family fortune to get the record.
destruction, wickedness....................Nephi considers the fortune worthless because of the curse on the land
father flees..........................Lehi has abandoned the fortune, worthless
to preserve.......................the record is essential to the family's future prosperity
wisdom in God.........................He who knows all wants the family to have the record.
prophets and Spirit......................the record will establish the family

Nephi explains the importance of the mission in a much more profound way than earlier.  The record is an essential, and the mission is divine.  Sometimes people need these deeper facts in order to make commitments.

1 Nephi 3: 21-27

persuade...................after a strong teaching moment, the brothers agree to try again
did gather.....................Nephi oversees the preparation of his father's wealth for the transaction
they bring to Laban....................Laban allows these brothers to make the deal
lust.............................Laban decides to take the fortune without the swap, by force
did flee......................they must flee to avoid capture and death
did not overtake.....................they escape and hid

The transaction goes badly, exposing the wickedness of Laban.  

1 Nephi 3: 28

hard words, strike with rod...................the older brothers angry.  Begin to abuse the younger brothers
angel.....................divine messenger intervenes and rebuffs the older brothers
questioning..................the messenger has the boys explain themselves, take responsibility
ruler.........................angel tells them that Nephi is their leader
murmur......................despite the intervention the brothers complain
deliver Laban...........................they expect this to end in a fight that they cannot win

The older brothers do not like the mission.  They see the whole affair to be worthless.  They see the ruination of the family wealth and the deceit of Laban as too difficult.  They are abusive and infuriated.  Nephi stands his ground

1 Nephi 3

This chapter illustrates the mission and the initial attempts to accomplish it.  It does not simply come to them.  They go from bad to worse, and their resolve is deeply tested.  Faithful people will seek new ways to accomplish their missions, and if determined will find a way.