1 Nephi 4:12

12  And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;

12 – 13.  Like the second command of the Spirit, this third command includes additional information:

            a quick review:  1^st time – “I should kill Laban”

                                      2^nd time – “the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands.”

                                      3^rd time – “slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into they hands: 

Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous

purposes…”

            -this third time Nephi is given a reason for the Lord’s command.  This is the first time in this circumstance where an explanation is given to him.  I suppose that the Lord considered Nephi worthy for this additional light and truth.  The Lord does not always explain His rational for what he does  -remember Adam’s offering sacrifice and “I don’t know why save the Lord God commanded me.”

            -I am sure the Lord could have accomplished his design of obtaining the brass plates for Lehi and safely delivering them out of town without killing Laban, but it is very possible that Laban’s death was required so that Nephi could learn some very important truths.  We would do well to recognize what those are!

            -I suppose one of these lessons relates to Heber Kimball’s trial at the request from Joseph to give his own wife to be one of the prophet’s.  This is evidence of the extent to which the Lord will “try our very heart strings”.  We should learn wisdom from these things to be prepared for the trying of our own souls.