Lehi continued to give patriarchal blessings and counsel to his sons (the word patriarch means “father,” so he gave father’s blessings to his children). His great anxiety throughout their lives was that they and their descendants would be righteous, favored, and prospered, and not cut off, cursed, hated, and killed. It was their choice. He hoped they would “arise … and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart,” that is, live in the condition called Zion (compare Moses 7:18).
All of us should “put on the armor of righteousness.” As the apostle Paul counseled, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). He further implores us to stand firmly clothed with truth, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). In other words, the gospel of Jesus Christ is real protection!
Lehi commanded his sons not to rebel any more against their righteous brother Nephi, “whose views have been glorious.” Give Nephi some credit; were it not for him, Lehi told the others, they would never have made it to this promised land. Nephi’s motives were pure; he had sought only the glory of God and the welfare of his relatives.