Post by Zoram –
I’ve been asked many times why I was so willing to make an oath with Nephi and his brothers and immediately leave my home forever and travel to an unknown land with complete strangers, who had just beheaded my master and by cunning taken a most prized treasure from my master’s treasury.
Laman and Lemuel insist that “what else could I do” with Nephi holding me in a death grip. When Nephi said he was large in stature, and had received strength in the Lord, it was not an empty boast. Though my master Laban was now dead and I having just given the plates of brass to Nephi, any bright and shiny future which I might have ever dreamed of in Jerusalem was seriously in doubt. And even though what Laman and Lemuel said was true, that was not the reason for my oath.
Laban was a very wicked man and I was his faithful servant – actually his slave. Due to my very valiant service, I was trusted with his most treasured household possessions. In fact I held the keys to the actual treasury. Nephi once hinted that I was like Joseph of old in the house of Potifer except without the wife problems. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying Laban’s house was a faithfully moral place. I just didn’t have trouble with Laban’s wife. I was very complimented that Nephi would make that kind of comparison between me and Joseph, even though Nephi knew very well that I was never foreordained to save the house of Israel like Joseph was. He did say however that by helping him secure the plates of brass – even in ignorance – I did indeed help save at least a branch of the house of Israel.
I never considered myself an Israelite anyway and so the deceptions and Laban’s sedition being planned with the elders was to me an act of cunning rather than treason. I had actually felt that if I were an active supporter in the success of Laban’s and the Elders’ plotting against the government, I too might benefit.
But leaving Jerusalem with Lehi’s family set me on a life’s path both mortal and eternal that a slave could never fathom. Freedom from slavery was just the beginning. I cherish my freedom from sin as my greatest blessing. Having married Ishmael’s oldest daughter has brought me great joy. She has had a very hard life. Think of how hard it has been for her to watch some of her brothers and sisters married to Laman and Lemuel rebel against God and against the rest of us and become a bloodthirsty people.
I watched in awe as Nephi stood fast to the iron rod his entire life. There were times when I couldn’t understand why Nephi didn’t encourage the angel to simply destroy his rebellious brothers and get it over with. Serving in Laban’s house, I had only wickedness. Once I witnessed the fruits of righteousness, I cannot understand when someone has the feast of our Savior’s love at their table, why they would turn from it and choose hate and spiritual starvation.
Nephi, even in the face of brutally facing death at the hands of his brothers, frankly forgave, encouraged, hoped for and prayed for these lost souls. Even in wielding Laban’s sword in defending us against utter destruction, Nephi pleaded for our Savior’s mercy and love to change his brothers’, nephews’ and nieces’ hearts. Yet to my amazement during all these several decades I have lived with and served with Nephi, his greatest lament was caused by how his own personal weaknesses distanced him from our Savior. Yet never a greater man have I ever known or loved than Nephi – my prophet and king.
I have known Nephi longer and better than almost anyone living right now. Sam and I are the only ones left that began this journey in Jerusalem. I didn’t know it then but when Nephi, dressed in Laban’s clothes, engaged my help in securing the plates of brass, he was lifting my soul from the grasp of hell. And when in his grasp, Nephi boldly swore his oath to me. I have never forgotten Nephi’s very words.
He said “If I would harken unto his words, as the Lord liveth, he would spare my life.” He then with an oath said, “that I need not fear; that I should be a free man like them if I would go down in the wilderness with them.” He continued, “The Lord hath commanded us to do this thing; and shouldn’t we be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord? Therefore, if you will go down into the wilderness to my father you will have place with us.”
I felt at peace, a peace that gave me courage, I have never questioned that decision to join Nephi and flee with them into the wilderness. So why did I join Nephi and his family? Because the Spirit of the Lord bore witness to my soul that I should. And at that time in my life – I had very little experience with the Spirit of the Lord and didn’t even know that it was Him guiding me. I did however, know with certainty that I was indeed guided. I pray that before long I will join Nephi in the loving embrace of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Book of Mormon – 1st Nephi 4