Jan 12, 2015

1 Nephi 1

5
The impetus for Lehi and his family's travels was Lehi praying in behalf of his people.

6
When he prayed he saw a "pillar of fire" (like Joseph Smith) that "dwelt upon a rock." Who was in that pillar or what was taught to Lehi we don't know, just that "he saw and heard much," causing him to "quake and tremble." This seems like a similar experiences of Moses (Moses 1:9-10) and even of Joseph with the Angel Moroni, as well as Sidney Rigdon when he experienced "The Vision" D&C 76.

“Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, ‘Sidney is not used to it as I am.’” (Juvenile Instructor, May 1892, pp. 303–4.)

Apparently can be terribly draining.

7-8
Lehi went home and basically passed out. Then he saw another vision, and this time it is described.

8-14
This time, Lehi was strengthened and emboldened instead of exhausted. He praises God, and rejoices (15), and teaches his children (16). Later he went about prophesying (18).

What was it that changed Lehi from exhaustion to preaching without fear of reproach? I think it is because he had an experience with the Savior (8).