Before Lehi waxed old and died in verse 12 of 2nd Nephi 4, he continued to counsel and offer Priesthood Blessings to his family. After speaking to Laman and Lemuel and Sam and Nephi and Zoram and the sons of Ishmael in chapter 1, Jacob in chapter 2, and Joseph in chapter 3, Lehi calls them all together again for one last effort.
2 Nephi 4: 3
3. Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them: Behold, my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my first-born, I would that ye should give ear unto my words.
I can picture Lehi, old and gray, his grand kids sitting at his feet. Lehi will die in 9 more verses, so he must be pretty frail at this time. He feels a great need to reach out to the sons and daughters of his rebellious sons. Can you feel his love for them? Can you feel how he is now confident that his 2 sons will be lost, but doesn't want their kids to suffer because of the failures of their Dads?
2 Nephi 4: 5-7, & part of 9
5. But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.
6. Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents.
7. Wherefore, because of my blessing The Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever.
9. ... but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.
Lehi didn't call "Laman and his sons and daughters" together, just the kids. Maybe he tried and he wouldn't come. Maybe he knew Laman wouldn't come, and so didn't try. Or, maybe he was afraid Laman's presence would impede the Spirit of The Lord being felt by the young ones. And the blessing is interesting too...
"If ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you..."
This cursing comes in chapter 5, after Lehi is dead and buried, but Lehi has been shown the future of his posterity. He knows that some of his grandkids will hold to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and some will rebel against it. He knows that there is actually a righteous purpose to this, which is to stir up the believers to remember their testimonies, and lean upon their God for strength in their adversity. Lehi knows that, in about 1000 years from then, all the believers in his family line will be gone, either by war or apostasy. This is a downer of a story. Where's the good news.
Here it is...
2 Nephi 4: 7 (again)
7. Wherefore, because of my blessing The Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever.And how will this be accomplished?
Like this...
2 Nephi 3: 23-24
23. Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.That is such a neat scripture to me, because it is prophecy being fulfilled right now, this very minute.
24. And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren.
After Lehi spoke to Laman & Lemuel's kids, he counseled and blessed Sam and his posterity. And then he died.
2 Nephi 4: 12
12. And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of The Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and he was buried.Goodbye, Lehi: Husband, Father, Grandfather, Prophet of God. Thanks for EVERYTHING!!! I can picture you and your Eternal Companion wrapped in the arms of your Savior's love.
Peace be with you...
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