Post by Sam –
From the very beginning I have not only believed in Nephi, I have believed Nephi. Zoram and I being the last two who fled from Jerusalem, have been eternally blessed for having loved Nephi and followed his example and his counsel. Although I am the older brother, I personally am grateful to the Lord for His choosing my younger brother to be our leader. Even before our father Lehi died, Nephi was being prepared to lead our family. This of course upset my older brothers Laman and Lemuel so very much that they became relentless in their pursuit to destroy Nephi and tear down the authority given him by both the Lord and my father.
My brothers never really understood that a position of leadership is not a requirement to receive blessings and approval of the Lord. Though they claimed they were the rightful leaders, leadership cannot come by family position alone. They were unrighteous men and except for a few fleeting times, they were always unrighteous. Unrighteous dominion is what they sought.
Had the Lord given them the role of leadership, they certainly would have exercised unrighteous dominion and led our people to do that which is contrary to the will of God. That fact is evidenced in their unrighteous dominion over their very own families once they were separated from us. They continually came against us in war. Without unrighteous dominion, their children having been taught to hate, would have never sought to destroy their very cousins, aunts and uncles. Many of their children grew up with my children we loved them and they loved us.
And now, as my younger brother Jacob takes the lead with Nephi’s death, we continue to be blessed by the Lord. As you know, I too am getting old, yet, as my father blessed my family prior to his passing, I was promised that my seed, like the seed of my brother Nephi, would inherit this land and that we would be blessed all the days of our lives. This has certainly been the case, we have partaken of the fruit of the tree and have experienced the love of God. I love the Lord my God with all my heart and do truly miss my brother Nephi, but certainly will join him soon.
Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:17
Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:7
Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:14-16
Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 5:6
Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 4:11
