I learned in church today

[smokymountainrain]

Also, remember that Nephi is writing this account. Of course he's going to justify the slaying and emphasize his hesitation. Nephi tends to put himself into the best light possible while degrading those around him.

I haven't thought about it much, but if you read the story with this thought in mind, it may be the funniest part of the book.

[wally]

I wish Nephi and CPT Moroni were alive right now so that Nephi could lecture you all while CPT Moroni kicks your asses for even asking these stupid questions.

Rule #1 about being a mormon: never ask questions

[Pelado]

What happened to the old mainstay of excuses...better that one man perish than an entire nation perish in unbelief. In fact, isn't that doctrine in the BOM itself?

I'm surprised anybody in our correlated church is teaching any other excuse.

You mean the same justification the Pharisees used to kill Jesus in John chapter 11?

Maybe that's not good enough for me.

[Pelado]

You mean the same justification the Pharisees used to kill Jesus in John chapter 11?

Maybe that's not good enough for me.

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

[mtnbiker]

Also, remember that Nephi is writing this account. Of course he's going to justify the slaying and emphasize his hesitation. Nephi tends to put himself into the best light possible while degrading those around him.

I don't know why you guys keep saying things like that. Nephi wasn't writing an autobiography. He was recapping the spiritual history of his reign and people. He's naturally going to emphasize the workings of the spirit.

But even in an autobiography people tend to minimize their faults and emphasize the good things that stand out to them. I recently read Fighter Pilot, the memoirs (near-autobiography) of Robin Olds, a famous Air Force pilot and commander. It was obvious he glossed over his shortcomings and emphasized the things that were important to him. And that certainly wasn't written to emphasize the spiritual aspects of his life.

[wuapinmon]

Yeah, Nephi totally comes off as the golden child and laman and lemuel are bitches. Totally reads like somebody revisiting the glory days in print...er...plate.

But try suggesting this in GD and see how far it gets you.

I always defend Laman and Lemuel. "We're going to leave everything behind and take off into the desert without money, WIVES, or a plan because Dad had a DREAM that our home was going to be destroyed."

[Indy Coug]

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Well, if that isn't going to work for you then you probably better just stop talking to the guy and leave him to his own moral devices.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Well, if that isn't going to work for you then you probably better just stop talking to the guy and leave him to his own moral devices.

No kidding. They still hung cattle rustlers at the time this book was written, so he needs to put it in historical context.

[jay santos]

Interesting (or not) question:

What if we explore the nation to dwindle and perish in unbelief concept?

I assume this is would be referencing the future Lehite nation, correct? Is there any evidence that the Brass plates were critical in the future Nephite society for retaining beliefs?

[Eddie]

Interesting (or not) question:

What if we explore the nation to dwindle and perish in unbelief concept?

I assume this is would be referencing the future Lehite nation, correct? Is there any evidence that the Brass plates were critical in the future Nephite society for retaining beliefs?

Well, you've got Nephi reading Isaiah to his family and preaching it from there. It is a curious question though - as I don't recall the BOM specifying any other time that they are specifically reading from the brass plates to teach what the prophets there have written/said.

It is a curious question. For instance - what happened to the lost tribes if they were led away and didn't take written record with them? Did they lose their language? Lose their belief system?

The BOM talks about God revealing his word to his children on all the isles of the sea and them writing it down - so what would've kept the Nephites from creating a record this way if they didn't have the brass plates? Or was it more of a necessity for them to have the Law of Moses (pre-Christ's coming) that was found there?

[Indy Coug]

One possibility:

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/a...ng=eng#primary

[mtnbiker]

Well, you've got Nephi reading Isaiah to his family and preaching it from there. It is a curious question though - as I don't recall the BOM specifying any other time that they are specifically reading from the brass plates to teach what the prophets there have written/said.

It is a curious question. For instance - what happened to the lost tribes if they were led away and didn't take written record with them? Did they lose their language? Lose their belief system?

The BOM talks about God revealing his word to his children on all the isles of the sea and them writing it down - so what would've kept the Nephites from creating a record this way if they didn't have the brass plates? Or was it more of a necessity for them to have the Law of Moses (pre-Christ's coming) that was found there?

Well, you've got the people of Zarahemla (Mulekites), whose language and understanding of God was totally corrupted. They taught them the language and the gospel from the plates (or other written documents), right?

[Moliere]

One possibility:

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/a...ng=eng#primary

I always find it interesting that the majority of nephites/lamanites were literate...or so it seems.

[wuapinmon]

I always find it interesting that the majority of nephites/lamanites were literate...or so it seems.

Moliere is becoming an apostate before our eyes.

[Indy Coug]

Moliere is becoming an apostate before our eyes.