I am going to start writing hypothetical letters to my high school English teacher, Mr. Olson.
Dear Mr. Olson,
Do you remember years ago (1997) when we read and discussed some of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ together? I remember one thing that you remarked as we read and discussed the first book in the volume, 1 Nephi. It seemed far-fetched to you Laman and Lemuel saw and angel but still almost immediately doubted the power of God and what they were about.
I admit that it seems strange. Nephi and his three older brothers are sent on a difficult journey on what, to some may have seemed and impossible quest: to obtain a precious book of scripture from a powerful military leader in Jerusalem.
Let's start out with this. Laman and Lemuel did not think they had a problem. They, like the people at Jerusalem, did not think that the way they were living was wrong. However, God had sent prophets among the people to warn them of the other end of the stick they were holding--to put it down immediately. God knows the end from the beginning. However, even many years later, Laman and Lemuel argued that the people of Jerusalem were a righteous people.
My conclusion, after long years of study, is that Laman and Lemuel were not interested in knowing who God was! They seemed more interested in the finer things of life.
