At first glance some might think Lehi was leaving his mark on the region by naming a river after Laman and a valley after Lemuel. However, Lehi was more interested in inspiring his sons than on leaving family place names. He hoped these comparisons would lead his sons to more obedience to God’s commandments and more interest in the Lord God, “the foundation of all righteousness.” Unfortunately, “such parallels, like parables, fall too often upon deaf ears and do not find place in the hearts of the hardened (cf. Matthew 13:13). So it was with Laman and Lemuel” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary, 1:32).