Keywords

Laman and Lemuel, spiritual vulnerability, faith in God

Abstract

We can easily see Laman and Lemuel as being lost from the start. Almost like stock characters in a novel, they may appear to have little depth or complexity. This simplistic view makes it hard to identify the reasons behind, as well as the consequences of, Laman and Lemuel’s behavior. Consequently, if we do not look for deeper meaning in Laman and Lemuel’s story, we may fail to identify the necessary precepts to avoid the pitfalls they fell into and to which we are vulnerable today.

Through a more contextual view of Laman and Lemuel’s lives, we are provided with a set of precepts to help us thrive spiritually in our day. As President Spencer W. Kimball taught, to be “forewarned is [to be] forearmed.”¹ Ultimately, Laman and Lemuel’s lack of faith in and incorrect understanding of God led to their failure to become the righteous sons of God they were intended to be.

Original Publication Citation

Laman and Lemuel: A Case Study in ‘Not Becoming, Goodman, M.A. (2007). In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding By Its Precepts: The 36th Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, Strathearn, S. & Swift, C. (Eds.) (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book/Religious Studies Center), 100-112.