1 Nephi 17:18 - 17:22

1 Nephi 17:18 And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship; neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lord.

Nephi tells them that he has received instruction of how to build this ship so it would get them safely to their destination. But they say he had received no such revelation and they would not get involved in this effort.

1 Nephi 17:19 And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying: We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work.

Nephi again get very despondent over the attitude of his older brothers which probably included Ishmael's sons. When they saw how frustrated Nephi was with them, they were happy.

However, they misinterpreted his sorrow. They thought his sorrow was from not really knowing how to build the ship and their ridicule of him brought that out. That, in reality, Nephi had only said he had received instruction, but that he had lied to them. And if he really didn’t know what he was doing they were not going to waste their time working on it. Anyway they were probably hoping he didn’t have such a revelation as they didn’t really want to work.

1 Nephi 17:20 And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions.

They again accuse him of being like their father Lehi. A man lacking in judgment and lead about by his own crazy imaginings. The boys now accuse Lehi and Nephi of misjudging the people of Jerusalem. Laban and Lemuel pointed out that they were a righteous people and that they were living the Law of Moses as written in the scriptures. But because of loyalty that their culture required of them which was to show to their father, they had to go into the wilderness to an uncertain future with one they regarded as out of his mind with a brother who was just as crazy.

The effects of this situation that their father had dragged them into was the sufferings they went through in the wilderness. Their wives having to endure heat of the desert while pregnant. They could have been enjoying life in Jerusalem instead of in this miserable existence away from home and friends. They thought they would be better off dying in Jerusalem than going through this great hardship.

1 Nephi 17:21 Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy.

They are morning over the fact they could have been back home in much easier circumstances. They might be enjoying their money and estates with their friends. Instead they are in this insufferable wilderness wondering what will become of them.

1 Nephi 17:22 And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.

The boys now accuse Lehi and Nephi of misjudging the people of Jerusalem. Laban and Lemuel pointed out that they were a righteous people and that they were living the Law of Moses as written in the scriptures. And because of loyalty that their culture required of them to show to their father, they had to go into the wilderness to an uncertain future with one they regarded as out of his mind with a brother who was just as crazy.

It maybe that the folks back in Jerusalem were living keeping the statues as set down in the Law of Moses, such as celebrating various religious holidays and offering appropriate sacrifices where required. The problem was the people were not living as they should, such as caring for the poor or treating each other as they should have. There were a very wicked people in their hearts. Carrying our religious rites does not over rule an evil heart or actions.