Having seen what he did in his dream, Lehi was deeply troubled over the final state of Laman and Lemuel, fearful that they might eventually be cast off forever from the presence of the Lord; that is, that they might suffer that final spiritual death reserved for the wicked (see Alma 42:9). This noble father thus resorted to that approach with his sons which he hoped would have the greatest and most lasting impact-he relied upon the power of the word (see Alma 31:5) and proceeded to “exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words.” In short, Lehi proceeded to preach to his sons; he also prophesied, no doubt, of the dual path ahead of them-the blessings of obedience and the cursings of disobedience-and pleaded with them to choose the former path in preference to the heartache and pain consequent to rebellion against God and his laws.