Why did Lehi send his sons back to Jerusalem for Ishmael and his family?

Thomas R. Valletta

“The first divine commandment to men, created in God’s image, was: ‘Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it.’ (Gen. 1:28). … The commandment to replenish the earth has not been canceled; it will be in force until the entire earth is filled with the children of God.

“God commands the sons of Lehi to go to Jerusalem and bring Ishmael and his family down to the Valley. … Both he and Lehi were the descendants of Joseph, Ishmael through Ephraim and Lehi through Manasseh [see 1 Nephi 7:2]. His family consisted of his wife, two sons with their families, and five daughters (v. 6)” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:55).

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