1 Nephi 2:15

[Guest tomk]

I also want to make mention that because it was so difficult to engrave the characters -- the authors, and later on, Mormon, had to be very choosy in what went onto the plates.

In other words -- the content is very particular. None of it is by accident -- NONE of it. Even phrases like "And my father dwelt in a tent" have significance!!!

Every sentence should be studied and savored.

[Hemidakota]

Perhaps a short hand version was given. If I am correct, this was what Joseph Smith was stating.

I was talking to one that is notable in the field of BOM Archeology, he discussed how the Brother of Jared could record every single event from the Creation to the end of the Earth on 1000 pages if 5xx pages were third of plate’s total volume after translation. What he postulated that each character required the Urim & Thurman for translation since it will hold a period of time and not just a word or phrase.

[skalenfehl]

1 Ne. 5: 14, 16

14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.

"Not famine (food / water) ... but Famine for the word of God"

I beg to differ in this particular case. Joseph, who interpreted the Pharaoh's dreams pertaining to seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, was entrusted by the Pharaoh to oversee and manage Egypt's stores and distribution of grain, which made the Pharaoh wealthy.

The famine did strike as Joseph had prophesied and his brothers visited Egypt to buy grain but they didn't recognize Joseph, who then made them leave Simeon behind until they could bring Benjamin, who Jacob feared greatly to lose. But their food stores ran out and the famine worsened. They were starving so Jacob relented, trusting Judah's promise to keep Benjamin safe. They finally all reunited and Joseph brought Jacob and his family down to live near Joseph from that day forward somewhere in Goshen, so his family was preserved as was written in the verse you referred to above. There literally was a famine and I believe this was the context of the scripture.

[Guest tomk]

I beg to differ in this particular case. Joseph, who interpreted the Pharaoh's dreams pertaining to seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, was entrusted by the Pharaoh to oversee and manage Egypt's stores and distribution of grain, which made the Pharaoh wealthy.

The famine did strike as Joseph had prophesied and his brothers visited Egypt to buy grain but they didn't recognize Joseph, who then made them leave Simeon behind until they could bring Benjamin, who Jacob feared greatly to lose. But their food stores ran out and the famine worsened. They were starving so Jacob relented, trusting Judah's promise to keep Benjamin safe. They finally all reunited and Joseph brought Jacob and his family down to live near Joseph from that day forward somewhere in Goshen, so his family was preserved as was written in the verse you referred to above. There literally was a famine and I believe this was the context of the scripture.

I wasn't aware I was offering an alternative explanation. :)

[skalenfehl]

You know, Hemi, when I was a boy I always wondered how Zoram could have mistaken Nephi for Laban, even in while Nephi was clad, every whit, in Laban's clothes. Based on this study about Laban being a close relative of Lehi's (Laban had the plates by birthright--maybe Lehi's older brother or a cousin?) I can see how Nephi, was able to fit into Laban's clothes (being large in stature--he must have still been quite young), he was able to imitate Laban's voice and easily assume Laban's identity. Zoram thought nothing of it. Nephi probably resembled Laban easily enough.

[skalenfehl]

I wasn't aware I was offering an alternative explanation. :)

I'm confused then. What did you mean by "Not famine (food / water) ... but Famine for the word of God"?

[Hemidakota]

You know, Hemi, when I was a boy I always wondered how Zoram could have mistaken Nephi for Laban, even in while Nephi was clad, every whit, in Laban's clothes. Based on this study about Laban being a close relative of Lehi's (Laban had the plates by birthright--maybe Lehi's older brother or a cousin?) I can see how Nephi, was able to fit into Laban's clothes (being large in stature--he must have still been quite young), he was able to imitate Laban's voice and easily assume Laban's identity. Zoram thought nothing of it. Nephi probably resembled Laban easily enough.

Possible. Family relatives gene pool.

[skalenfehl]

Did you read that linked article I posted? It's really good.

[Hemidakota]

Where the link?

[skalenfehl]

Where the link?

Meridian Magazine: Book of Mormon: How Nephi Became the Birthright Son

[Hemidakota]

Yes, I already read that one today. Thanks

Also, anything the John Tvedtnes, I will usual save it to my thumbdrive and digest later. I always been impressed with his work and depth of research.

[Hemidakota]

So far what I have in my notes from my mission days are the following references:

1 Ne. 3: 3

3 For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass.

1 Ne. 3: 12

12 And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father.

1 Ne. 5: 14, 16

14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.

• • •

16 And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records.

If I remember correctly Laban was an Elder of the church, also had commanded many men (hence Laman and Lemuel's concern about procuring the brass plates as a hard thing to do, beside the fact that they had to travel back about 180 miles), so he definitely was a prominent man, especially for possessing a sword of fine steel and pure gold hilt, which was hardly typical of the lesser quality swords of the time. Here's a couple articles that I've had bookmarked about the sword that gives further insight into his prominent character:

"The Workmanship Thereof Was Exceedingly Fine" - Maxwell Institute JBMS

Nephi's Jerusalem and Laban's Sword - Maxwell Institute JBMS

I definitely agree that Lehi and Laban were related, but just how close? Here is an excellent article that definitely puts things into perspective.

Meridian Magazine: Book of Mormon: How Nephi Became the Birthright Son

Nephew [Lehi was] to Laban

[skalenfehl]

Nephew [Lehi was] to Laban

Interesting! I've never been able to deduce just where the in the family tree those two were placed, but it sounds good. Can you shed more light?

[Hemidakota]

I do apologize. I should have put a disclaimer first prior to posting: "...it comes by the Spirit." You will need to ask for it. There are times, I need to remember that I am not the leader of the church and what appears to be additional knowledge to me, which is outside the realm of the majority, that I need to state this and that the person, if has the same desire to receive such, may have to confront the Spirit for a confirmation for the answer.

We do know for sure, they were related, in seeing they have the same bloodlines running in both Lehi and Laban's veins when Lehi viewed the plates. The nifty details need to be addressed the Spirit.

Skale, I have a great fascination of learning about certain biblical individuals of their thoughts, their desires, their motivations, and perhaps, their goals in serving the Godhead. To me, it brings life to that individual’s writing [journal account] when reading and having a greater understanding why, what, when, and where it happened. For me, it is added to my ever growing testimony of those who served the Savior in mortality.

Again, I do apologize in any misrepresentation this entry may have caused.

[skalenfehl]

No worries, Hemi. Your answer is plausible. It's good enough for me to know that they were related. There is no doubt in my mind that they were well acquainted. Some day I'll write another paper on it.

[Hemidakota]

When you do, I may have few tibits that may help that is not found in the BOM.

Even with the Adam and Eve thread, I have to stand back when something that is personal given and perhaps, a few may know it, the masses may reject it. I have to learn this principle this is not for everyone. We live and learn.