The Spirit responds to Nephi's hesitation with reasons that Nephi would be able to accept. Most important among them is verse thirteen's admonition that the Lord himself had slain the wicked for the benefit of his people. Whether or not this is a direct recollection of Nephi's words to his brothers concerning Pharaoh, or whether Nephi understood this in a broader context, it is clear that Nephi did understand that the command not to kill was one which the Lord himself had at times superseded.