1 Nephi 2:5 Lehi's Family (how many and how old?)

In this verse we learn that Lehi's family consisted of Sariah (Lehi's wife) and 4 sons (Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi). That is not anything new or earth shattering. What I find interesting is how the family grows after leaving Jerusalem. Nephi must be at least in his teens right? He is large enough in stature to fool Laban's guards into thinking he actually is Laban (1 Nephi 4:21). I know some big 12 and 13 year old boys that could maybe pull that off, but I'm guessing Nephi is at least a couple years older than that. We know from Jacob 1:1 that Nephi lives at least 55 years after leaving Jerusalem. If he was 15 when they left, that would put him at 70 when he gives his brother Jacob charge over the plates. Jacob would be just under 55 years old at that time because he was the first-born of Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness (2 Nephi 2:1).



That is an interesting gap in ages. Lehi and Sariah had 4 boys and then stopped having children for over 10 years (approximately 15 years if my presumptions are correct). I wonder why they had such a long span between children. Why did they begin having children again once they left Jerusalem? If Sariah had her first 4 sons over the space of 5 years, that would make Laman about 20 years old when the family left Jerusalem. If Sariah was 15-20 years old when she gave birth to Laman, that would make her 35-40 years old when they left Jerusalem. I would guess that she was closer to 15 than to 20 when she started having children (based on what I presume about their culture). So Lehi was probably in his late 30s or early 40s when the family set out for the promised land. The white haired Lehi that we see in the paintings seems older than that. I bet he looked younger than the paintings portray.



Now, the growth of the family after leaving Jerusalem includes at least 4 more children. We know that Jacob and Joseph are born in the wilderness. We also learn in 2 Nephi 5:6 that he had sisters. That's plural. It could have been more than 2, but Nephi had at least 2 sisters. When were they born? Well, Nephi clearly states that the family consisted of Mom, Dad, and 4 boys in 1 Nephi 2:5 (600 B.C.). In 1 Nephi 18:7 we find out that Jacob and Joseph were born in the wilderness (about 590 B.C. when they first get mentioned). In 2 Nephi 3:1 Joseph is called the last-born. Does that mean last born boy? When were Nephi's sisters born. I'm guessing they were born in the wilderness between 600-590 B.C. That would make Sariah in her late 30s and early 40s when she had these kids. Unless "sisters" is a more general term that included Nephi's nieces? Then Sariah would have only had boys. Maybe the sisters were there all along, and Nephi only reported the boys in 1 Nephi 2:5.

I'm pretty sure the sisters weren't there yet, because of Ishmael's family. Lehi's 4 sons are sent back to Jerusalem to get wives. Ishmael's family fits the bill. On the way back into the wilderness we learn from 1 Nephi 7:6 that Ishmael had 2 sons and 5 daughters. So, Ishmael's 2 sons would maybe match up with possible daughters of Lehi and Sariah, but 1 Nephi 7:6 also informs us that those sons already had their own families. It would seem that Nephi had no sisters at that point. The sisters were born later.

We know that Lehi died between 588 and 570 B.C. If he was 40 when they left Jerusalem that would have him dying between the ages of 52 and 70. He tells Joseph "thou art little... remember the words of thy dying father" in 2 Nephi 3:25. I'm thinking Joseph had to be old enough for a conversation like that, yet young enough to be called little. Maybe he was 10? He was born sometime before 590 B.C. and I think it was about 593 B.C. Lehi says in 2 Nephi 3:1 that Joseph was "born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee." Going back to 1 Nephi 17:1 we learn that they "did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness." Then a few verses later in verse 5 they came to the land of Bountiful around 592 B.C. The land of Bountiful surely wasn't where Lehi had the days of his greatest sorrow. So, based on all of these facts, I would guess that Joseph was born around 593 B.C. That was 7 years after leaving Jerusalem. About 10 years later Lehi died, maybe around 60 years old. Sariah would have been somewhere between 42 to 47 years old when Joseph was born. No surprise that he was the last-born. It seems as though the sisters must have been born between Jacob and Joseph during those 7 years.

So that is what I can surmise about Lehi's family, based on the writings of Nephi and Jacob. I know it's not really eternally significant. There are many more doctrinal studies that will strengthen my testimony, but it really gives me more of a feel for what the situation was. These were real people, going through real experiences. I am grateful for the obedience of Lehi's family and their dedication in following the Lord.

1 Nephi 2:4 "and took nothing with him"

Lehi didn't waste any time getting his family out of Jerusalem after the Lord commanded him to do so. There is no mention of long preparations, or getting things settled first. In verse 2, he was commanded. In verse 3, we are told that Lehi was obedient. In verse 4, he's gone. One of the interesting parallels of Lehi's journey with his family is how it is like our journey in life, trying to get to "the promised land" or the celestial kingdom. Something that stands out to me more than ever before is the phrase, "and took nothing with him." He left behind all of his possessions. Essentially he gave it all up for the Lord. It reminds me of Christ telling the rich man that all he had left to do was to sell everything he had and follow him (Matthew 19:21). That man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions (v. 22). Lehi knew what was of eternal worth.

The phrase "and took nothing with him" also reminds me of death. You can't take any possessions with you. Lehi had lived in "the world" and was now leaving it, heading for the promised land. When you die you will leave this world, leaving behind all your worldly possessions. One thing Lehi took was his family. Our families can be sealed together forever. That's something that we can take with us. How much do we invest in possessions? How much to we invest in things of eternal value? How much do we invest in our family?

"Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy..." 2 Nephi 9:51

We need to be more like Lehi and less like the rich man Jesus talked to. Consecrate everything to the Lord. Be willing to give up everything and follow the Lord.

1 Nephi 2:3 -- Dreams and Obedience part 2

Lehi just had a dream where the Lord commanded him to leave the city and take his family into the wilderness. Verse 3 says, "And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him." His family may not have been excited about Lehi's obedience, but it definitely made an impression on one of his sons. In the very next chapter we hear an echo of this verse in a very well known scripture. His son Nephi mirrors his father's example when he says in 1 Nephi 3:7, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded..."

Children seem to mirror their parents in many ways. Obviously Laman and Lemuel prove that it doesn't always work. Everyone has agency to choose their path. I wonder who Laman and Lemuel decided to mirror with their actions? If you are a parent, you must act in a way that your children will see your obedience and follow. You must also be aware of who else might be influencing them. Examine yourself and your influence on your children. Keep a close watch on other influences in their lives. Change your ways NOW so that your children will have as much positive influence as possible in their lives. The choice you make today can make an impact in the lives of your great-great-great grandchildren.

To illustrate this point I will use a personal example. I have many weaknesses, but foul language is not one of them. I have never had to struggle with controlling my tongue when it comes to crude, foul language. I live in a society where I am bombarded on a daily basis with it, yet have no desire to use it. It is not really anything that I can take credit for because I owe it all to my parents who influenced me in such a positive way. I have NEVER heard a foul word come out of my mother's mouth, so it is just natural for me to follow. Where did my mother learn to use clean language? Well, I can tell you that reading through some of my great-great-great grandfather's journals, I came across something interesting. He was traveling across the plains with the pioneers and expressed some disappointment at the language that some of them used. The choices made by him have had a tremendous impact on my life. What kind of impact will you have on your posterity? Make it easier for them by leaving a legacy of goodness.

One last note. In the Old Testament, we learn of the righteousness of Abraham, and the resulting covenant that the Lord made with him. I don't know how many greats are involved, but his is one of my grandfathers. I am blessed this very day because of the choices Abraham made thousands of years ago.

Be a blessing in the lives of your posterity by your obedience and good influence.