1 Nephi 2:2–6—Where Was the Wilderness?

Lehi led his family from Jerusalem to the Red Sea near the Gulf of Aqaba. The distance is about 180 miles (290 kilometers). It was a hot and barren country, known for thieves who waited to rob unprepared travelers. After reaching the Red Sea, Lehi turned south and traveled three more days before camping in a river valley. It could have taken Lehi’s family about fourteen days to travel from the city of Jerusalem to this point. Remember the time and distances involved as you read about their trips back to Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 2:11—What Is a “Visionary Man”?

Lehi was called a visionary man because he received visions, dreams, and other revelations from God. Most people would consider that to be a good quality, but Laman and Lemuel used the term to characterize Lehi as an impractical dreamer.

Write a News Report

The Jews mocked and were angry with Lehi’s public testimony against their wickedness. Pretend you are a newspaper reporter who went to see Lehi at his home and found that the whole family was gone. As you talked to the neighbors you learned the information in 1 Nephi 2:1–4. In your notebook, write a newspaper report describing the sudden disappearance of Lehi and his family.

Write a Note

Nephi described Laman and Lemuel as “stiffnecked” because they were stubborn in their unrighteousness. They did not believe that their father was inspired by God and were angry because they left their lands and wealth in Jerusalem and were suffering in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 2:11–13). Their brother Nephi was “grieved because of the hardness of their hearts [and] cried unto the Lord for them” (v. 18). Write a note to Laman and Lemuel about the importance of honoring their father and being humble so that they might know “the dealings of that God who had created them” (v. 12).

Compare the Actions and the Results