“Chapter 3: Lehi Leaves Jerusalem,” Book of Mormon Stories (1997), 6–7
“Chapter 3,” Book of Mormon Stories, 6–7
Chapter 3
Lehi Leaves Jerusalem
The Lord was pleased with Lehi and one night spoke to him in a dream. He told Lehi to take his family and leave Jerusalem. Lehi obeyed the Lord.
Lehi’s family packed food and tents. They left their house and their gold and silver and traveled into the wilderness.
Lehi and his wife, Sariah, had four sons. Their names were Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi.
After traveling for three days, Lehi’s family camped in a valley near a river.
Lehi built an altar from stones and made an offering to God. He thanked God for saving his family from being destroyed.
Lehi named the river Laman and the valley Lemuel. Lehi wanted his sons to be like the river and valley, continually flowing to God and steadfastly keeping the commandments.
Laman and Lemuel thought their father was foolish for leaving Jerusalem and their riches. They did not believe that Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Nephi wanted to understand the things Lehi had seen. He prayed to know if his father had done the right thing by leaving Jerusalem.
Jesus Christ visited Nephi and told him that Lehi’s words were true. Nephi believed and did not rebel as Laman and Lemuel did.
Nephi told his brothers what Jesus had told him. Sam believed Nephi, but Laman and Lemuel would not believe.
The Lord promised Nephi that he would be blessed because of his faith. He would become a leader over his brothers.