This verse has always intrigued me. We know that Mormon abridged the plates so as to only include those things he felt would be important for us in the last days. Then why include such a seemingly insignificant verse describing the relatively indigent housing conditions of Lehi? And why repeat the fact that Lehi dwells in a tent four times within the first 16 chapters? (1 Nephi 2:15; 1 Nephi 9:1; 1 Nephi 10:16; and 1 Nephi 16:6)
Over the years I've conjured up my own theories on why Mormon decided to leave this verse in. But here is my 'ponderment' at this current time.
Now if we keep in mind that Lehi appears to have been a person of well-to-do means back in Jerusalem given Laban's lustful desire for his precious possessions. Laban was someone of high standing in Jerusalem and we can assume was well-resourced and so for him to be envious of the gold and silver that Nephi and his brothers brought as bargaining tools for the brass plates says a lot for their impressiveness.
We gain a further impression of Lehi's wealth when Laman and Lemuel complain to Nephi that instead of wandering in the wilderness they could have been enjoying their possessions and the land of their inheritance (1 Nephi 17:21).
So, given these facts, we can safely assume that Nephi must have been impressed by the faith exhibited by his father in sacrificing all he had in order to obey the Lord's commands. And so to honour his father Nephi highlights the fact his father dwells in a tent as a token of his faith and sacrifice.
Alternatively, Nephi could be using his father's tent as a symbol of the temple much like how the tabernacle was used as a mobile temple in the days of Moses. The temple is a centre place of worship and for receiving blessings and making covenants. For Lehi and his family the tent is the only logical place for all those things to happen and thus could have symbolised for them the temple blessings. Nephi therefore refers to his father's tent in sacred reverence to all that it symbolises for them in the wilderness.
Then again, Nephi could simply be stating the fact that his father dwelt in a tent.
Friday, April 16, 2010
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this verse is sentimental for our family, it was johns first verse that he read all by himself. but agree with your comments re: noting Lehis sacrifice to let go his position and wealth in Jerusalem to a humble life in the wilderness to do the Lords will. I know that it would be a great sacrifice to me to leave my home and pile my kids in a mobile van to wander the country for eight years. Goodness me - I have a new appreciation for Sariah.
ReplyDeleteYou may be also interested to note that the phrase "and it came to pass" occurs 1604 times in the Book of Mormon.
ReplyDeleteThis is not as commonly thought a Book of Mormon phrase. Genisis has it 62 times and a total of 334 in the old testiment.
But get this of those most of the occurances occur in the old testiment up to the book of Jeremiah with only 18 occuring after that. And when did Nephi leave Jerusalum - during the time of Jeremiah (1 Nephi 7:14)
Now with the slight caviet that the old testiment books are only roughly in order thats still imprssive to note that Nephi was using a comon phrase of prophets that went out of general use after that.
Eric