Post by Lemuel –
You probably read the post about our trying to kill Nephi. I am a little embarrassed about that. We thought we were rid of him. Somehow he got loose. He says it was due to the strength given him of the Lord in answer to fervent prayer. If anybody knows how to pray, its Nephi. I helped tie him up and I know knots, so it frightened me a little because as far as I can tell the bands were burst rather than untied. Nephi is tough, but not that tough. Maybe the Lord actually did free Nephi.
So when Nephi, free of our bands, stood and spoke to us, our anger came right back. If it wasn’t for one of Ishmael’s daughters, Ishmael’s wife and one of his sons, we would have finished Nephi off right then and there.
But something happened when those three began pleading for Nephi’s life. We not only lost the will to kill him, but our hearts seemed to soften. We actually began feeling sorrow for our fierce anger. The way my feelings changed was quite surprising but my surprise paled in comparison to the shock I experienced witnessing Laman humble himself. Laman actually bowed down to Nephi pleading for forgiveness. A little in shock, the rest of us joined Laman.
Nephi frankly forgave us for everything. How he could forgive brothers that had just tried to kill him was amazing. He exhorted us to pray to Heavenly Father for forgiveness. We did just that. Once we finished our supplication to God we continued our journey back into the wilderness to where our parents have been patiently waiting.
Once back with our parents we all gave thanks to the Lord our God offering sacrifice and burnt offerings to Him.
(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 7:17 – 22)
