Did Nephi Murder Laban?

The account of Nephi’s killing of Laban may be troubling to some readers, but Nephi acted under ancient legal norms, not modern ones. Premeditated killings were punishable by death under the law of Moses. A killing was premeditated if the killer lie in wait or if he acted presumptuously or with guile or enmity. “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall surely be put to death. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor to slay him with guile, thou shalt take him from mine altar that he may die” (Exodus 21:13-14; See also Numbers 35:9-34). Nephi’s account shows how his actions were not premeditated. He did not “lie in wait” for Laban, but wrote, “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). Nephi did not act with hatred or guile. He did not want to kill Laban and it was only with some difficulty that the Spirit convinced him to finally act (1 Nephi 4:10). Additionally, the Spirit of the Lord and Nephi each reference the relevant passage from the law of Moses to emphasize the justification for Nephi’s actions, that “the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands” (1 Nephi 4:11-12, 17). Had he been apprehended Nephi would not likely have been able to obtain a fair trial due to the wickedness of Jerusalem at the time, but the Lord appointed a place to him to flee for refuge in a new land of promise.