Never Truly Converted
Never at any time were Laman and Lemuel truly converted. To be converted is to undergo change within the inner man. This change requires a contrite spirit and a broken heart, which means to humble yourself before God. Laman and Lemuel refused to do this, for as Nephi stated, they were “hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought” (1 Nephi 15:3). Laman and Lemuel refused to yield their hearts unto the Lord, so no experience could have changed them. They were impressed with the miraculous power demonstrated by their brother, but the effect was not lasting and did not change their hearts because, as Nephi later commented, they were “past feeling” (1 Nephi 17:45).
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