2 Nephi 1:21 - 1:25

2 Nephi 1:21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;

Lehi, like any loving parent, wants his children to happy. He likewise wants to see they enjoying the good life under the influence of the Lord. He does not want to die knowing they are falling away from the gospel. It takes a real man to live the gospel and Lehi is commanding his sons to be men. He is commanding them to be united in living the standards as set down in the gospel so they will not fall under the domination of satan and be destroyed. That is the promise that has been made to all those who are lead to this land of promise. Live the gospel or be removed from it by death and destruction.

2 Nephi 1:22 That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing; and also, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just God upon you, unto the destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body.

Lehi does not want his descendants to fall to the curse that has been put on this land. A cursing that will put them in harms way. A cursing that applies to both body and spirit.

2 Nephi 1:23 Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

So Lehi tells them to wake up to what is happening to them. They are sleep as to what satan is doing to them. Become aware that they are being lead downward and no good is waiting for them at the end of their lives if they continue in the course they are following. If they continues they will only be forgotten and remember no longer. If they live as they should they will be highly favored not only by their children but their descendants as well. They need to see what is happening to them both temporally and spiritually rather than just following their egos and being influence by their pride.

What a terrible thing to go down in history as men that caused the misery and destruction of their descendants. What a terrible thing to have to bear that on their consciences. Not only that but when they meet their descendants, they will have to account to them for them putting them in their life's situation of not being raised with the gospel. I guess with will be the fate of all those who have to gospel but turn their backs on it. Don't let that happen to any of my descendants.

2 Nephi 1:24 Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been glorious, and who hath kept the commandments from the time that we left Jerusalem; and who hath been an instrument in the hands of God, in bringing us forth into the land of promise; for were it not for him, we must have perished with hunger in the wilderness; nevertheless, ye sought to take away his life; yea, and he hath suffered much sorrow because of you.

Lehi wants his boys to look to Nephi for leadership on account of what he has given to the family during the journey to the land of promise. What thanks has he been given by his brothers? They have tried to kill him on various occasions. This obviously has made life miserable for him and his family because of their jealousy and pride.

I can only imagine how it must be to live with family members that have wanted to kill you from time to time. I would say that would lead to "strained family relations." Can't see wanting to kill you as just being at odds and willing to fight if things don't go their way.

2 Nephi 1:25 And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.

Because of their hatred of this journey and lack of desire to follow the commandments, Lehi is fearful for their external welfare. They have accused Nephi wrongfully of trying to rule over them, but he has only tried to bring them to God. He has only been interested in their own welfare, not only in this enterprise but in the hereafter. He has not sought these things to rule over them. Nephi is not interested in being their leader. In fact, I think he would be happy if someone else were in the leadership position in this enterprise.