Book of Mormon Stories Chapter 7

1 Nephi 7

If chapter 5 was about how to treat your spouse, then chapter has a lot to say about how you treat your boyfriend/girlfriend, and how parents might interact with their future children-in-laws.

1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.

How interested are we in your future spouses? Are parents entitled to receive revelation about who you should date?

2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness.

How many times did Lehi send his boys back? Remember that the next time we forget to bring something on a trip...

3 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem.

You will be surrounded by inefficiencies all your life; when you are asked to do something, even if it's hard, or redundant, or annoying, we hope that you can report that you "did again" obey.

4 And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord.

Boys, what's the plan; how are you going to "gain favor" in the sight of the parents of those young women you are interested in? Are you going to wander out of the wilderness, homeless, wanted in connection to the recent murder of a high-profile citizen? And girls, do you want to know what will "gain favor" with us, when your beaus are brought to meet us? Eagle rank in Scouts, returned missionary status, employed, those are all important. But we will watch how they treat you, us, your siblings, their own family.

6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.
7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.
8 And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?

What kind of influence are you being on your family? Are you sad/angry/peeved when everyone else is bad?

10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?
11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

Think of the best, most profound, most uplifting and meaningful experience you've ever had. Even just the most recent good experiences. How did they inspire and uplift you? Are you acting like that person today? Did you respond like that person that last time something bad happened, or someone was mean to you? How can you remember the testimony and spiritual experiences you've had? How can you strengthen family without being nagging?

13 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.

What are you striving to obtain?

15 Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.
16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

When we warn you about something, are you grateful for the heads up, or irritated at our meddling? Do you get angry at corrections?

19 And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.

Have you ever spoken up against a bully? Do you defend people who deserve it?

20 And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.

When you are wrong, are you apologetic?

21 And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.

Do you frankly forgive? Do you know how to frankly forgive? Is it something you want to be better at? Who do you know who is god at it? Are they foolish in forgiving quickly?

22 And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.

We are grateful every single time our children come home, if it's at the end of the day, or the semester, or a war, or decades. Feasting when family returns is a good thing. Attending church or the temple to celebrate is a good thing.