When you read chapter 7 what is the theme? Which verses stick out? For me this chapter is about how Nephi must continue to lead and keep the team focused on their objective - Get Ishmael and family and lead them back to be with Lehi's family. Nephi knows that using the word of God will accomplish this objective. First he preaches to Ishmael's to allow the spirit to soften their hearts so that they will agree to leave with them. Then he uses the word of God again when Laman, Lemuel, and some of Ishmael's family rebel against Nephi and those that want to do what is right.
I can just picture L&L mixing with Ishmael's sons and some of his daughters and going back and forth about what they really want. Peer pressure and maybe a need to show off to the daughters of Ishmael comes into play and they find themselves rebelling again.
What strikes me as odd is their remorse at the end of the chapter. How is it that they can go from such open rebellion to willingness to not only repent but to "bow down" before Nephi. That is some pretty serious humility, even if it is misplaced. To me it seems like they were so committed to rebelling that they should not have had such a significant turn around. Tying Nephi up the way they did shows commitment to doing what is wrong.
We must also comment on the verses of scripture where Nephi is rebuking, teaching, and preaching to those who were rebelling. He speaks to those leading the rebellion, namely Laman and Lemuel. He reminds them of all the times the Lord has tried to help them to see his strength, His love and His involvement. But they just can't maintain a strong testimony of it. Here are some of the questions he asks:
1. Why do I as your younger brother have to be the one to set an example for you?
2. How could you forget that you saw an angel?
3. Why haven't you hearkened to the word of the Lord?
4. How have you forgotten what the Lord did for us in delivering us out of Laban's hands?
5. How have you forgotten that the Lord will do all things for us if we have faith in him?
6. Don't you understand the state of Jerusalem, it's going to be destroyed because it is such a wicked place. Remember what they did to Jeremiah, our prophet? Remember how they treated our father Lehi?
7. Why don't you understand that if you go back to Jerusalem you will be destroyed with them?
Nephi convinces me, why couldn't so many experiences and reminders sink deeper into Laman and Lemuel's hearts to where they could be converted? In what ways am I like Laman and Lemuel and have need to repent and let the scriptures sink deeper into my heart?
In the end their second trip back from Jerusalem is followed with thanks to God and sacrifice. Gratitude is indeed a virtue that follows righteous leadership.
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