Verneil Simmons puts forth an interesting, but unprovable theory regarding this promise to Nephi that "all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word" (Helaman 10:5). He mentions that he is not the first to point out that the "wise men" of Matthew's account, who came to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king could have been representatives of the tribe of Joseph from the New World (or from the "east"). According to this theory, if we were to propose three names from our Book of Mormon story to qualify as the legendary three wise men, we would have to suggest Nephi, his brother Lehi, and the Lamanite prophet, Samuel. Nephi left the land of Zarahemla following the news brought by the angels of the nearness of Christ's birth. He turned all the records and sacred things over to his son, also called Nephi, and then disappeared (3 Nephi 1:3). No one knew where he had gone. He never returned to Zarahemla and, though a search was made, he could not be found anywhere in the land (3 Nephi 2:9). It was also said of Samuel the Lamanite, that he nevermore was heard of among the Nephites (Helaman 16:8). As for Lehi, he seemed always to accompany his brother on their missionary journeys. He could have gone along on this one as well. Remember that the Lord had promised Nephi that he could have whatever he asked for, because the Lord knew he would not ask for anything contrary to His will. He and his brother had been named, by their father Helaman, in memory of their forefathers who had left Jerusalem. He had taught them to remember the words of Lehi and Nephi whenever they remembered their own names. There must have been a strong desire on their part to see the land of Jerusalem from which their forefathers came, especially when they knew the Christ was to be born there in a very short time. Of course, this is speculation and cannot be proved, but it does no harm to suggest the possibility. [Verneil W. Simmons, Peoples, Places and Prophecies, pp. 198-199]
Note* Alma the Younger was also taken up (see the commentary on Alma 45:18). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
“All Things Shall Be Done Unto Thee According to Thy Word”
Verneil Simmons puts forth an interesting, but unprovable theory regarding this promise to Nephi that "all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word" (Helaman 10:5). He mentions that he is not the first to point out that the "wise men" of Matthew's account, who came to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king could have been representatives of the tribe of Joseph from the New World (or from the "east"). According to this theory, if we were to propose three names from our Book of Mormon story to qualify as the legendary three wise men, we would have to suggest Nephi, his brother Lehi, and the Lamanite prophet, Samuel. Nephi left the land of Zarahemla following the news brought by the angels of the nearness of Christ's birth. He turned all the records and sacred things over to his son, also called Nephi, and then disappeared (3 Nephi 1:3). No one knew where he had gone. He never returned to Zarahemla and, though a search was made, he could not be found anywhere in the land (3 Nephi 2:9). It was also said of Samuel the Lamanite, that he nevermore was heard of among the Nephites (Helaman 16:8). As for Lehi, he seemed always to accompany his brother on their missionary journeys. He could have gone along on this one as well. Remember that the Lord had promised Nephi that he could have whatever he asked for, because the Lord knew he would not ask for anything contrary to His will. He and his brother had been named, by their father Helaman, in memory of their forefathers who had left Jerusalem. He had taught them to remember the words of Lehi and Nephi whenever they remembered their own names. There must have been a strong desire on their part to see the land of Jerusalem from which their forefathers came, especially when they knew the Christ was to be born there in a very short time. Of course, this is speculation and cannot be proved, but it does no harm to suggest the possibility. [Verneil W. Simmons, Peoples, Places and Prophecies, pp. 198-199]
Note* Alma the Younger was also taken up (see the commentary on Alma 45:18). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]