According to John Welch, since Lehi is the only figure in the Book of Mormon called "our father" (2 Nephi 1:1), this designation appears to be a unique reference to Lehi's patriarchal position at the head of Nephite civilization, society, and religion. .
Seeing Lehi in the patriarchal tradition is borne out by the fact that Lehi was remembered by Nephites from beginning to end as "father Lehi," just as Israelites have always known Abraham as "father Abraham." [John W. Welch, "Lehi's Last Will and Testament: A Legal Approach," in The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, the Doctrinal Structure, pp. 69-70]