Hugh Nibley notes that this account of Nephi slaying Laban in order to obtain the brass plates is always criticized. People say, “This is such a bloody thing that should never have happened. This shouldn’t have been put in the Book of Mormon story.” In response to this, brother Nibley relates the story of some Arabs which were in his Book of Mormon class. After lecturing them on the slaying of Laban, one of them by the name of Fayek Salim and another student came up to him and were really worried. They said, “Why did [Nephi] wait so long to cut off [Laban’s] head? That was not according to Arab custom or behavior. It was his chance.” Yet Nephi did wait a long time. He had a real struggle here, you’ll notice. [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 1, p. 159]
1 Nephi 4:12 Slay him for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands ([Illustration] Nephi Slays Laban. [Gary E. Smith, Verse Markers, Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, pp. 3,4]
1 Nephi 4:12 The Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands ([Illustration] Laban Slain By His Own Sword. Artist: Ronald Crosby. [Mary Pratt Parrish, The Book of Mormon Story, p. 6]
“I Shrunk and Would That I Might Not Slay Him”
According to Verneil Simmons, Nephi argued with himself as to whether he was justified in killing Laban in order to secure the necessary record. Perhaps we can better understand Nephi’s thinking at this crucial moment if we read a reference found in the Doctrine and Covenants. The ancient law commanded that three times one should forgive the enemy who came against him. But if the enemy should come a fourth time, then he was in the hands of the offended for judgment (D. & C. 95:5-6). Nephi knew that Laban had first threatened to kill Laman, then had attempted to kill all four of them when he saw the wealth they possessed. He knew Laban had robbed them of that treasure, and would try again to kill them if they came to accuse him. [Verneil W. Simmons, Peoples, Places and Prophecies, p. 68]
Cleon Skousen explains that Laban had violated three of the ten commandments. Coveting or lusting after other people’s property with the intent of cheating them out of it is a direct violation of the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17)… . Laban also ordered his servants to pursue Nephi and his brethren for the purpose of killing them and obtaining their riches. Under the law he would have been held accountable as an “accessory” if not an actual principal in conspiring to commit both robbery (commandment #8 -- Exodus 20:15) and murder (commandment #6 -- Exodus 20:13). [W. Cleon Skousen, Treasures from the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 1040]