Lehi (Book of Mormon prophet)

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Lehi is a prophet in the Book of Mormon. The narrative states that he and his family lived in Jerusalem during the reign of king Zedekiah (approximately 600 BC) (1 Nephi 1:4). Lehi was an Israelite of the Tribe of Manasseh. The Book of Mormon implies that Lehi was wealthy and held property, possibly outside the city of Jerusalem (1 Nephi 3:22).[1] Some have suggested that he was a merchant and contemporary of the Seven Wise Men of Greece (Nibley 1952).[2]

Lehi's life according to the Book of Mormon

According to the Book of Mormon narrative, the families of Lehi, his friend Ishmael and another man named Zoram left Jerusalem some time before its destruction by the Babylonians in approximately 587 BC. Lehi's group proceeded southward down the Arabian Peninsula until they reached a location called Nahom. Ishmael is reported to have died by this time, and he was buried at this location (1 Nephi 16:34).

From Nahom, the group proceeded in an eastward direction across the desert until they reached a fertile coastal region they named Bountiful. Lehi's son Nephi was instructed by the Lord to build a ship for the purpose of sailing across the ocean to the "promised land". The party of men, women and children along with their animals boarded the ship and sailed until they reached the Americas.

Lehi's sons Nephi and Laman are said to have established themselves and to have founded two conflicting nations: the Nephites and the Lamanites. The Book of Mormon relates that during his family's journey to the Americas and before his death, Lehi gave important teachings to his children and their posterity that were recorded by Nephi on metallic plates that were later used in compiling the Book of Mormon.

Family

In the Book of Mormon, here are the relations of Lehi's immediate family, but there were at least two daughters who were not named:

LehiSariah
LamanLemuelSamNephiJacobJoseph


Hypothesized Modern Archaeological Ties

(See Archaeology and the Book of Mormon.)

The "Lehi Cave"

Some speculate that Khirbet Beit Lei ("Ruin of the House of Lei") may have been the home of Lehi. While there are some striking similarities and circumstantial evidence to support this view, there is a lack of supporting evidence. FARMS (which is a research arm of BYU), in particular, argues against this interpretation (Berrett 1999, pp. 64–5). Local legend holds that an ancient prophet lived in the area around in the time corresponding to the Book of Mormon narrative. This appears to be based upon stories told by two Arab residents of the area who claimed that an ancient prophet named "Lei" judged his people there (Berrett 1999).

People of Lihy

A tribe called the Lihyanites (“People of Lihy”) came into existence between the 6th and 4th century B.C in the area of al-Bad on the Arabian peninsula. This tribe came to power and ruled this area for over 300 years. Prior to approximately 600 B.C., this area was under control of the Dedanites. Some LDS researchers have speculated that the passage of Lehi through this area around 600 B.C. had an influence upon an existing tribe, and that they adopted his name (Hilton & Hilton 1996, p. 47). The Lihyanite civilization left behinds ruins, including a temple, a ceremonial font and inscriptions (Hilton & Hilton 1996, p. 75).

Nahom

Main article: Nahom

The location "Nahom" has been equated with an actual location NHM by LDS researchers. It is believed that Lehi's group followed the ancient frankincense trails in the northern part of Yemen during the initial leg of their journey. The location of NHM is near the main junction of these ancient trails at a point where the trails veer to the east (Reynolds 1997). According to the Book of Mormon, prior to their arrival at Nahom, the travelers had been moving in a "south-southeast" direction (1 Nephi 16:13). It was at this location "Nahom" that the Book of Mormon states that the travelers made a significant change in direction "eastward" before continuing their journey toward the coast. [3] The location of NHM and the eastward change in direction have been used by LDS scholars to assist in determining a plausible location for the coastal location referred to by Nephi as Bountiful.

Such an interpretation would imply that the group took the next 8 years to travel less than 350 miles. (see 1 Nephi 17:4)

Simple calculations indicate that the group may well have traveled across Asia:
50 weeks per year x 5 days per week x 8 years = 2,000 days for travel to cover ~5,000 miles = Only 2.5 miles per day

Trivia


Notes

  1. ^ "And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver, and our precious things."
  2. ^ According to Nibley, Lehi was very rich, and may have been a trader.
  3. ^ "Nahom and the "Eastward" Turn". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 12 (1). Maxwell Institute: pp. 113-114. 2003. Retrieved 2006-12-19. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help)

References

  1. Berrett, LaMar C (1999), "New Light: The So-Called Lehi Cave", Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 8 (1), Maxwell Institute: pp. 64-5 {{citation}}: |pages= has extra text (help).
  2. Hilton, Lynn M; Hilton, Hope A (1996), Discovering Lehi: New Evidence of Lehi and Nephi in Arabia, Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., ISBN 1-55517-257-1.
  3. Nibley, Hugh Winder (1952), Lehi in the Desert and The World of the Jaredites, Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft Publishing Company, p. 36, retrieved 2007-05-09.
  4. Reynolds, Noel B (1997), "The Authorship of the Book of Mormon", Speeches, Brigham Young University, retrieved 2007-01-11.

External links

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