1 Nephi 8:34 - 8:38

1 Nephi 8:34 These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away.

Nephi says that this is what his father said: that these people represented those who either would not accept the Gospel or had fallen away from it.

1 Nephi 8:35 And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.

What was disturbing to Lehi was the fact that his two oldest sons would not take of the fruit. I can only wonder what that must have felt like to him. His daughters are not mentioned here.

1 Nephi 8:36 And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.

There was much more to relate about Lehi’s dream but Nephi doesn’t go into any more additional details. His main reaction to the dream was the refusal by Laman and Lemuel to come to the tree and partake of the fruit. This made him fear for their external salvation. If they did not eat of the fruit they would not have any portion of the Spirit and would be cut off from its influence.

This not only mean they will not be with Lehi in the eternities but they will be cut off from the influence of the Holy Ghost. I would greatly miss that. But these boys don't seem to care. To bad, they could have turned the history of the world if they had been better people. Just try to comprehend what the history of the Americas would be like if they had be faithful.

There would have been no native Americans. The Nephite nation might still be around. And I can only guess it would have influenced the rest of the world's history.

1 Nephi 8:37 And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

Lehi voiced his deep concern to them hoping to get them to see what they were doing to themselves. His desire in speaking to them was for them to recognize their situation and do something to stop their downward slip into hell. Like all parents who love their children, they do not want them to fall or loss out on the good things of life.

1 Nephi 8:38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them.

His speech to them included what would happen to them if they did not hearken to the Lord. He encouraged them to keep the commandments and be an example to their future children.