Question of the day: Why didn't the Lord tell Nephi and his brothers exactly how to get the brass plates the first time they went before Laban? What lessons did they learn?
I called them tests in my notes, but here is what I thought:
Test 1: Do they fear God more than Man? They had to approach Laban, directly. He is a powerful man in their city, well known. I think this would have been very difficult for Laman to put himself in the position of saying he wants the plates for his father's reasons, and not his own, and that this might be embarrassing to ask of someone he probably respected. Laban could have been someone Laman was envious of because of his power.
Test 2: Did they value God more than wealth? Nephi knew there was no value in keeping their families gold and silver as Jerusalem would be destroyed. I'm guessing Laman and Lemuel were holding out in the hopes that they might one day return and receive their inheritance. For this reason, I think they were extremely angry with Nephi when they lost it all.
Test 3: Can they trust completely in the Lord to deliver Laban just like the angel promised? Nephi is really the one that is best prepared to do this. His heart was already in the right place and his relationship with the Lord was such that he could understand His promptings.
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