As Nephi continues to struggle, the Spirit says: “Behold the Lord had delivered him into thy hands.” As one familiar with the scriptures, Nephi would surely have understood that reference. Exodus 21:12-14 was directly relevant to the choice Nephi faced:
"He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die."
The Spirit’s words echoed the condition of Exodus 21:13 that provides an exception to taking a life if “a man lie not in wait,” and if God were to “deliver him into his hand.” A good scripture scholar would recognize the reference, and the surrounding context.
Thus, Nephi has declared that he didn’t know what he was to do beforehand, and that he came upon Laban. Nephi did not have intent, nor did he lie in wait. The Spirit confirmed that God had delivered Laban into his hands.
As Nephi continues to struggle, he realizes that: “It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.” John W. Welch and Heidi Harkness Parker note that this concept is supported in Hebrew law. The specific language, however, echoes John 11:50 “It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.”