1 Nephi 4:16 - 4:20

1 Nephi 4:16 And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass.

So if the family had to have something to refer too in order to know what the regulations of the law were, the brass plates were now necessary for the family to have in their possession. (Since we have the Old Testemant, I wonder where else the records of the Jews were recorded besides the brass plates, if the brass plates were not be found in Jerusalem anymore?)

1 Nephi 4:17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.

Nephi knows that Lord has led him to the unconsciious Laban now lying at his feet. The Lord has literally placed Laban at Nephi's mercy. This would certainly make Nephi appreciate that the Lord had power to do what He said He could do.

1 Nephi 4:18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.

Nephi now grabs Laban by the hair whacks off his head with his own sword. Again the spirit told him to do so.

As to why the family could be justified in taking the brass plates, I have read articles saying that because Lehi was going to be so far from Jerusalem and was not going to return, he and his family were now an independent country or at least on their way to becoming an independent country in a far away land. And, as such, were a sovereign country. In fact Laban had attacked ambassadors of that country, namely the boys, the country of Lehi was now at war with forces of Jerusalem and Laban became a casualty of this war.

The question I have is why is this account even here for to read about. Could not Mormon just said the boys returned to Jerusalem and obtain the plates from Laban without the details of the killing of Laban? Well there must be a reason for this detailed account. What is it?

A couple of things. The importance of having scriptures is certainly featured. We see all around us today, the poor conditions and civil unrest that result from no scriptures or those who will not live by the scriputres.

I'm sure this experience was a powerful lesson, to say the least, on the power of the Lord. The Lord guided him through dark streets; found Laban as the Lord said he would; and after killing Laban, putting on his clothes and talking like him. Since Nephi's life and the life of the family was not going to get to much better for a while, Nephi needed to know in uncertain terms and gain the confidence that the Lord could get him and the rest of the family through all things.

A personal note: I don’t know how I would react to being told to kill someone. I avoid ants on the sidewalk.

1 Nephi 4:19 And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins.

The Spirit now tells him to put on Laban’s clothes and armor. I'm sure Nephi knew he could not approach the house of Laban dressed as he was when he entered the city.

1 Nephi 4:20 And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury.

The Spirit now tells him to head for Laban’s house. As Nephi arrives, he is met by one of Laban’s servant who is the keeper of the keys to Laban’s treasury. The servant thinks it is Laban who is approaching and since the Spirit is making Nephi voice sound like Laban’s, the servant doesn’t suspect that it is not his master.

Nephi commands the servant to go with him to the treasury and they secure the brass plates. Maybe Nephi saw his family’s stuff while he was getting the plates?

Wonder if Nephi was surprised when he spoke that he sounded like Laban. I would be shocked if I sound like someone else when I spoke. Of course there is the time when Brigham Young spoke like Joseph Smith at the conference in Nauvoo when the saints were deciding who they would now follow now the Joseph Smith was dead.