A Sermon from a Loving Parent

Section: 2 Nephi 1-8

Spoken word:

•    Lehi prophesies to his family and pleads with his sons (61-64). (sermon)

•    Lehi commands Laman, Lemuel, Sam and the sons of Ishmael to obey Nephi (64). (sermon)

•    Lehi blesses Zoram (64). (prayer)

•    Lehi bears his testimony to his son Jacob (65-66). (sermon)

•    Lehi instructs all his sons (66-68). (sermon)

•    Lehi blesses Joseph and prophesies (68-70). (sermon)

•    Lehi blesses the children of Laman (70). (prayer)

•    Lehi blesses the children of Lemuel (71). (prayer)

•    Laman and Lemuel murmur against Nephi (74). (dialogue)

•    The Lord curses the Lamanites (76). (divine command)

•    God commands Nephi (76). (divine command)

•    Jacob calls the Nephites to repentance (76-83). (sermon)

Section analyzed:

“Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent…A few more days and I go the way of all the earth, but behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love” (1 Nephi 14-15).

 

Analysis:

Lehi first establishes ethos by speaking to his sons as a “trembling parent.” He pleads for their obedience not simply as a prophet of God, but as a father so filled with love and concern for his sons that he trembles. This appeals to the emotions tied into familial bonds—especially powerful in the relationship between a father and son. Lehi further utilizes this emotional appeal by saying he will soon die. His sons will shortly have to bury their father, and this is one of their last conversations with him on this earth. Lehi then bears his testimony of the Lord and eternal life. This witness gives the end of this passage a feeling of hope, amidst what must be a time of grief for his family. This portion of his sermon is effective primarily because of its deep emotional foundation.