1 Nephi Chapter 4

• 4:1 Nephi keeps trying
• 4:1 Nephi encourages others to do good
• 4:1 Nephi recognizes that God is more powerful than all
• 4:2 Nephi knew the scriptures
• 4:2 Nephi likened the scriptures
• 4:3 Nephi trusted in the Lord
• 4:4 Again, the brothers do what they're asked, but they murmur while doing it
• 4:6 Nephi allowed himself and was worthy to be led by the Spirit
• 4:14 Nephi remembered
• 4:18 Nephi followed the Spirit even when it was hard
• 4:31 Nephi recognized the source of his strength
• 4:32 Nephi was no respecter of persons
• 4:33 Nephi made oaths he meant to keep
• 4:33 Nephi offered to save Zoram
• 4:35 Zoram made oaths he meant to keep
• 4:35 Zoram was loyal

Verse 13 is one I've heard many times--better to lose one soul than lose a nation to unbelief. I wonder if Nephi knew what nation was meant? Laban wasn't a bad guy, as far as I can tell. He didn't want to give his records to someone he considered a crazy prophet. Besides that, I don't think he was necessarily all bad. The fact that the Spirit prompted his death gives an idea that he might've been, but nothing else clues you into that. I don't think Jerusalem was the nation he was referring to. I think it was the nation of the Nephites and the Lamanites--one Nephi probably didn't even really think about! Who thinks about the nation their children will become? Not I!

The second thing I thought about was why Zoram was so willing to leave based on a promise of protection! He should've been safe in the city--he was an elder! Why did he feel he needed to go with a family he didn't know into the wilderness? Only the Spirit can prompt something like that.