The Writings of Sam
And it came to pass that I, Sam, knowing the greatness of the revelations of my father, Lehi, and the great love that he had for the Lord God, took it upon myself to hearken unto my brother Nephi, who is the younger. Nephi, having gone up to a mountain and prayed unto the Lord regarding the vision that Father received and the other commandments given unto him, also received for himself the same conviction that I had received. Father speaks the truth of his calling as a minister of God.
Nephi’s Witness
After hearkening to the words of my younger brother Nephi, I truly bear witness that what our father spoke of is right. It came to pass that our father, Lehi, called us to come unto him in the tent in which he dwelt while we lived in the Valley of Lemuel. Father spoke unto Nephi and me, telling us of the commandment God gave—to return to the land of Jerusalem to obtain a record from among our brethren the Jews.
Because we had separated ourselves from them, Father Lehi distinguished us from our brethren back in the land of our inheritance, though he had yet to form a proper name by which to call our small group.
My father said unto us:
“Go, for the Lord hath commanded you to return to the city of Jerusalem and retrieve plates of brass which contain the law of the Lord, so that His commandments may be preserved. Your elder brethren have censured me for asking this, but unto you, I pray—do not murmur as they have.”
I bowed my head before my father Lehi. He knew that I, Sam, am not a man of many words and am not disposed to speaking much in gatherings. I am a scribe, and I enjoy my art. Though it is to my hurt that we have been led into the wilderness, I trust that Father Lehi is called as a witness of the destruction of the people and commanded to flee the city.
My Conviction
I have sought my own understanding of what my father Lehi has revealed unto us, and I have a conviction. My brother Nephi has also sought out the Lord and revealed that he has a great vision, being visited of the Lord to know the things Father spoke are indeed true.
I hearken to his words and respect that he is to have a great part in God’s plan. Nephi spoke for us both when he told Father that he would go and do the things which the Lord commanded, for the Lord gives no commandment unto man save He prepares a way for it to be accomplished.
So we brothers—Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and I, Sam—went about preparations to return to Jerusalem. Since only we brothers were to return, it saved time in the preparations and the journey.
But on this journey back to the city, Laman and Lemuel, our elder brothers, began to behave more strangely than usual.
Laman and Lemuel
I spoke to Lemuel once, and he chastised me for referring to the Jews as though we were not of them. I explained that I used the term out of respect to Father and his revelations. He said nothing in response, only hissed low.
I am sure bitterness filled his soul, for Father never spoke to him as he did to us when giving commandments. Father spoke to us separately as brothers on two sides of the issue. He knew Laman and Lemuel did not agree with the commandments.
Laman, out of respect, hid his displeasure or sought to, but Lemuel was careless and allowed all his displeasure to show.
If it were not for Laman, I think Lemuel would have abandoned the family altogether and gone back to Jerusalem as a beggar rather than journey in the wilderness. Lemuel truly hearkened only to Laman, as if he were the leader and not our father.
Laman was indeed the leader of us brothers, but Lemuel’s devotion to him, and my own to Nephi, formed a rift among us. I felt as if I must protect Nephi, though in truth he did more to protect me, his elder.
Of the four of us, I did not inherit the large stature of Nephi and Laman, nor the intellect of Lemuel. Father said that wisdom and skill were my gifts. He often referred to my ruddy looks—though fair to look upon, it was of small consequence.
I respected all my brothers: Laman’s leadership, Lemuel’s intellect, Nephi’s bravery, and my own confidence. I did not doubt the Lord could lead us. I obeyed Father.
At Jerusalem
When we came near the city, we conferred together to see who should go to the house of Laban and seek the plates. Lemuel suggested we draw lots, and the lot fell to Laman, as I thought it should, being the eldest.
While Laman went, we returned to Father’s house and asked Saul, Father’s chief servant, for news. What he revealed brought us grief.
“The elders think Father abandoned his seat and his house,” Saul said.
Lemuel hissed to me, “I knew evil would come of this. Father shamed us before the people.” His face burned with color. I thought he might weep.
It was true. The council questioned Saul daily about Father, and Saul could give no answer. If Father sent no word, he would lose his seat, be stricken from the record, and given over as Jeremiah was.
Laman’s Terror
We returned to our meeting place outside the walls to await Laman. After much time, he bolted toward us, urging us to flee. His terror was plain.
We conversed for hours as he looked about for Laban’s guards. Laban had called him a robber. I had never seen my eldest brother so afraid. His fear made me doubt and fear also, though I knew God commanded us.
Nephi said little, only listened. Lemuel tried to find ways to repair Father’s shame.
Laman finally cried, “By Ninsun, this is it!”
I asked, “Who is Ninsun?” His face blanched.
“Sam,” he muttered, “a pagan word I picked up in travels.”
“It is a foreign god of Babylon,” I answered. My heart burned. I had suspected pagan influence on Laman, but this was plain. I told him I would not consort with apostasy.
Laman turned on me in anger. I stood. He looked down as though to strike me.
“Sam,” he said, “I have just been threatened with death by Laban’s guards, and now my brother rises against me because of a misplaced word?”
I relented and bowed. “Forgive me, brother.” He pardoned me quickly and embraced me, but his embrace was too tight, too long. I perceived his struggle with anger, and I pitied him.
Nephi’s Oath
Laman explained that we could return to Father, explain that Laban would not give the record and had sought his life. It seemed reasonable, though I disliked it.
But as I opened my mouth to speak, Nephi opened his first and declared with my own vow: “We will not go down to Father without the records.”
I saw in him then a leader, even a rival to Laman.
“As I was about to say,” I told him, and we embraced.
“How do you suppose we get them?” Lemuel asked, astonished that Nephi had spoken against Laman.
“I have a plan,” Nephi said, glancing at Laman. “Our father has much gold…”
Laman’s eyes brightened, for he understood gold well, and he quickly agreed that Laban might be persuaded.
Closing Note
This story is based on people mentioned in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
For the actual history and book itself, click the link on the book’s title to read online.
This work does not attempt to mimic the 19th-century English style writing into which The Book of Mormon was translated.
All Rights Reserved, Rodric Anthony Johnson, Copyright 2022.
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