Chapter 3: Lehi Leaves Jerusalem

“Chapter 3: Lehi Leaves Jerusalem,” Book of Mormon Stories, 6

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.

1 Nephi 2:1–3

Lehi’s family packed food and tents. They left their house and their gold and silver and traveled into the wilderness.

1 Nephi 2:4

Lehi and his wife, Sariah, had four sons. Their names were Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi.

1 Nephi 2:5

After traveling for three days, Lehi’s family camped in a valley near a river.

1 Nephi 2:6

Lehi built an altar from stones and made an offering to God. He thanked God for saving his family from being destroyed.

1 Nephi 2:7

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.

1 Nephi 2:8–10, 1 Nephi 2:14

Laman and Lemuel thought their father was foolish for leaving Jerusalem and their riches. They did not believe that Jerusalem would be destroyed.

1 Nephi 2:11, 1 Nephi 2:13

Nephi wanted to understand the things Lehi had seen. He prayed to know if his father had done the right thing by leaving Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 2:16

Jesus Christ visited Nephi and told him that Lehi’s words were true. Nephi believed and did not rebel as Laman and Lemuel did.

1 Nephi 2:16

Nephi told his brothers what Jesus had told him. Sam believed Nephi, but Laman and Lemuel would not believe.

1 Nephi 2:17–18

The Lord promised Nephi that he would be blessed because of his faith. He would become a leader over his brothers.

1 Nephi 2:19–22