1 Nephi 2:6 - 2:10

1 Nephi 2:6 And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water.

The family made their way south to the Red Sea, which is about 180 miles. After arriving at the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, they traveled an additional three days until they found a suitable camp site with running fresh water.

They set up camp in a valley with a river that had water in it. I assume that rivers of that sort were not often found in the desert and that is why he remarked about the fact that is was a flowing river. If they make 20 miles or more a day, they could have been anywhere from 280 to 350 miles from Jerusalem.

Since the family could not find refuge in countries to the north, east or even by going to Egypt, they could only go south into the Arabian desert. Not a very pleasant place in the summer. I don’t know just what time of year the family left town, but since Lehi was preaching to groups of people, it could have been during Passover or any of the other Jewish festivals.

1 Nephi 2:7 And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.

To show their thanks to the Lord, Lehi built an alter of stones and made an offering to the Lord. He would have sacrificed an animal, a breed that was approved for such things.

Normally I am told one could not make sacrifice only at the Temple. You have to be at least three days journey for the Temple to do so on your own. That is probably why they traveled for three days before stopping.

In addition, I’m sure that giving thanks by the effort it took to prepare a animal sacrifice should the Lord just how thankful that Lehi, at least, was for the mercy that was shown him and his family by the warning to leave town. I’m sure that there was plots being cooked up to either take out Lehi and at least imprison him as was Jeremiah.

I think it is worth noting that being thankful is more than just saying thank you. To Lehi, it required him to make more effort. Doing something to show thankfulness, which I am sure the Lord knows you are thankful, increases the intensity of our gratefulness. From the Old Testament, we know that one of the six things the Lord hates is an unthankful heart.

Going to the Temple after receiving a blessing from the Lord to show our thankfulness is a good way. Being thankful does require that we do more than just saying thank you. Even without that the Lord will take whatever thanks you are willing to express.

1 Nephi 2:8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.

Lehi names the river and the valley after the two older boys. One would think they already had names, but he did it for a reason. The river emptied directly into the Red Sea and not into another river that flowed to that body of salt water.

1 Nephi 2:9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!

Lehi named the river after Laman so as to remind that him that he should also be a river to righteous and an example to the rest of the family showing that it would always be flowing at all times.

We might ask ourselves on occasion are we a river of righteousness? Do we show by example that we will always be a source of righteous strength to our families and other we associate with. Laman was the oldest son and would be the leader of the clan when Lehi was gone to his eternal reward. And Lehi was trying to impress upon him the need for him being the proper example of a righteous guide for the family to look up too, because they would be looking to him as their protector and guide.

1 Nephi 2:10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!

Lehi named the valley after Lemuel to remind him to be immovable in his testimony of the Gospel. The reason for this was Lehi knew that Lemuel, the second son, followed his older brother in both his attitude and behavior.

Lehi wanted to suggest to Lemuel that he be not moved by the poor example of his other brother. That he be not influenced by his older brother's selfishness and lack of dedication to living according to righteousness principles. Lehi compared being not influenced by bad example to the immovability of a valley.