1 Nephi 3:22 - 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.
The boys return to their home and gathered up all the family's valuables to try to buy the plates from Laban. They would try to use Laban’s greed to get the plates from him. Since the family was not going to take the valuables with them (you can’t eat gold and if anyone knew you had it on your travels, you would become a target for thieves) they might as well use that which is considered valuable by the world for that which is actually of a great value in a Spiritual since. Namely records that will teach one how to live happily with one another and prepare for the life to come.
Gold will not teach anyone that and you cannot buy happiness or eternal life. As Brigham Young once said the only fit use for gold is to pave streets!
1 Nephi 3:23 - And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban.
So with their valuables in hand they head for Laban’s house. I can only imagine the feelings of Laman and Lemuel. They had been looking forward to being able to live a life of luxury and ease and now they were trading it all for a book! They also knew that living in the desert for who knows how long or where they would end up was not the life they envisioned for their future.
1 Nephi 3:24 - And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things.
They went together and offered to buy the plates from Laban with the valuables they had gathered from their home.
1 Nephi 3:25 - And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property.
When Laban saw the extent for the stuff the boys had he must have thought that he could just steal it from them with his personal bodyguard and still retain the plates. Maybe he knew that the family had left town and would not be returning so their influence could not turn public opinion against Laban for this thief.
Once again the Laban acted out of greed and use force to get his desires. He definitely was breaking several of the commandments of the law of Moses and would have been under commendation for his behavior.
1 Nephi 3:26 - And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban.
Being outnumbered, the boys were obliged to leave behind their property and flee for their lives. Laban now was qualified as a thief and a murderer. The boys were yet alive, but not because Laban wanted it that way. Murder was in his heart but they under the protection of the Lord. So under the Law of Moses, Laban was now subject to the death penalty for his acts of attempted murder.
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