Lehiter i Jerusalem och Arabien

Ytterligare ett försök att få tag på mässingsplåtarna

1 Nephi 3:22–23

Enligt planen stannar bröderna vid sitt gamla hus, samlar ihop värdesakerna och återvänder sedan till Labans plats.

And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver, and our precious things. And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban.

1 Nephi 3:24

De visar upp värdefulla saker och föreslår ett utbyte mot mässingsplåtarna.

And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things.

1 Nephi 3:25

Laban tar värdesakerna, sparkar ut bröderna och beordrar deras död.

And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property.

1 Nephi 3:26–27

Bröderna flyr, undviker Labans torpeder och gömmer sig i en grotta.

And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban. And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock.

1 Nephi 3:28

Förbannad över planens misslyckande börjar Laman och Lemuel slå Sam och Nephi med en pinne.

And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also with my father; and also was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod.

1 Nephi 3:29–30

Under misshandeln, uppenbarar sig en ängel, tillrättavisar Laman och Lemuel, och lovar att gudomlig nåd ska följa dem i deras nästa försök att få tag i kopparplåtarna.

And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying:

“Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.”

And after the angel had spoken unto us, he departed.

1 Nephi 3:31

Efter att ängeln har lämnat, visar Laman och Lemuel, tydligen likgiltiga inför ängelns löfte, sin skepticism och cynism.

And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying:

“How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?”