8/14/2019 Nephi Forgives: Story and Pictures
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Nephi Helps Build Family Love and Unity
After the prophet Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, and the
family ofIshmael joined them in the wilderness, Laman, Lemuel, and
some ofIshmaels family began to rebel against those who were living
righteously.Lehis son Nephi was sad that his brothers were being
rebellious and notshowing love to their family members. He said,
How is it that ye are sohard 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 foryou?
How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?
(1 Ne.7:89.)
Laman and Lemuel became very angry with him. They did not like
to be toldthey were living unrighteously. They became so angry that
they tied him upand planned to leave him bound to be eaten by wild
beasts. They were notbuilding family unity.
Nephi used prayer to help him. He prayed, O Lord, according to
my faithwhich is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my
brethren; yea,even give me strength that I may burst these bands
with which I am bound(1 Ne. 7:17).
The bands that were tied around him were loosed from his hands
and feet,which made Laman and Lemuel even angrier. When they tried
to hurt him,however, Ishmaels wife and two of his children pleaded
with them so muchthat their hearts were softened and they were
sorry for their wickedness.
Laman and Lemuel bowed down before Nephi and asked for his
forgiveness.Instead of being angry with his brothers for trying to
hurt him, Nephi saidthat he did frankly forgive them all that they
had done, and did exhortthem that they would pray unto the Lord
their God for forgiveness (1 Ne.7:21). Forgiveness is a principle
that helps us build stronger families.
We, too, can choose whether to forgive those who have hurt or
offended us,or to remain angry with them. Eight-year-old Nils
Evensen from SouthJordan, Utah, has learned to follow Nephis
example of being forgiving. WhenNils turned eight, he saved all his
birthday money and bought a toy that hereally wanted. He was always
very careful to put it away after playing with itso that it would
not get broken. One day, a friend accidentally sat on the toyand
broke it. Nils eleven-year-old sister, Linnea, said that instead of
gettingangry with his friend, Nils told him, Its OKwe can glue the
pieces backon. Because Nils chose to be forgiving, he was able to
keep a friendship
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