It maybe that the Super Bowl was just this past Sunday, but when I read the first three versus of this chapter I thought, what a great half-time motivational speech. Nephi and his brothers have failed to get the plates from Laban twice and Nephi must sense that he doesn't have many chances left and he comes out with..."let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth....let us be strong like Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity....the Lord is able to deliver us even as our fathers , and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians." What a great motivational speech!
"And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him. "
I have always struggled with this verse, because it seems squarely in opposition to the commandment "thou shalt not kill". I can't say that at this point I'm completely at ease with this verse, but the things I've listed below help provide some some context for me to process it and develop some understanding. Ultimately, this is something that if I get the chance, would love to ask our Heavenly Father why?
1. Wicked people parish throughout the scriptures (e.g. the Egyptians that drowned in the Red Sea, David slayed Goliath, Sodom and Gomorah, The Great Flood, The Lamanite battles, etc.)
2. Nephi clearly didn't want to do this and doesn't make this a habit going forward.
3. It appears, that when possible, the Lord provides alternative methods for deliverance (e.g. a deep sleep that falls on the Lamanites guarding the people of Alma)
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