The Children of Lehi, in the context of the Book of Mormon, refer to the descendants of the prophet Lehi and his wife, Sariah, who left Jerusalem around 600 B.C. and journeyed to what they called the promised land in the Promised Land. Lehi’s family faced numerous trials, including perilous sea voyages in which they encountered “exceedingly sore” tempests, leading to moments when their faith and family bonds were tested (1 Ne. 18:14). Lehi, as the patriarch, often addressed his offspring and the children of Ishmael, exhorting them to righteousness and obedience to the Lord’s commandments. Despite the grief Lehi and Sariah experienced due to rebellions among their children, especially Laman and Lemuel, the faithful—such as Nephi and his supporters—continued to receive blessings for their adherence to divine mandates (1 Ne. 18:17; 2 Ne. 4:8; 3 Ne. 5:22).
The Children of Lehi, throughout the generations, played pivotal roles in the sociopolitical and spiritual history of their people. They engaged in warfare, experienced periods of peace and prosperity, and suffered bouts of wickedness and sorrow as foretold by the Lord (Alma 49:8; Alma 50:19; Morm. 4:12). Their narrative reflects the cyclical patterns of righteousness leading to prosperity and disobedience leading to decline, with significant markers being the instruction received from their forebears through the brass plates and other records (Mosiah 1:4; Mosiah 10:12; Mosiah 2:34). The Children of Lehi’s story also highlights the profound influence of parental teachings and traditions, which shaped their beliefs and identities for generations. The collective experiences of the Children of Lehi illustrate the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises and words to individuals and nations, anchored in the journey that began with Lehi and Sariah’s exodus from Jerusalem, and the preservation of their history through sacred texts and teachings.