Why didn't Laban repent?
Let's review what happened leading up to Laban's death. What did he do to precipitate his own downfall?
First, when Laman asked him if he would give him the plates, he angrily refused, accusing Laman of being a robber and threatening to kill him. Laman had to run for his life. Next, after the brothers had assembled their family fortune and presented it to him as a trade for the plates, he became greedy, told them to get out, and sent his servants to kill them. He wanted the fortune without giving anything in return, even if it meant killing four innocent men to get it.
Now, anyone with a sense of decency would find his behavior utterly violent and repulsive. They might say he was dangerous. What is even more chilling about his behavior is that in Laban we are given a view of the morals--or lack thereof--of many of Jerusalem's inhabitants at the time. They were without principle, sought mainly for worldly wealth and pleasure, and were often murderous. Is it any wonder they tried to kill Lehi, and caused him to flee for his life into the wilderness with his wife and family?
From Nehpi's record, we can tell that Laban was no outlier in Jewish society, but was part and parcel of it, because his servant later told Nephi that Laban had been out with the elders of the Jews. Thus, from Laban's example we can see why the Lord had sent His prophets to warn Jerusalem's people of destruction if the didn't repent. Lehi's had been one of those warning voices, but they had angrily rejected the message.
Given his behavior, it appears that changing his ways was the furthest thing from Laban's mind. In the rough-and-tumble world of Jerusalem, it seems he could hold his own quite well. Why repent? When the Lord's servants came calling, his reaction was the same as that of most of his countrymen: anger. What we learn from Laban's demise is that it's unwise to be unrepentant when the Lords sends His servants to you. We also learn that His patience has its limits.
First, when Laman asked him if he would give him the plates, he angrily refused, accusing Laman of being a robber and threatening to kill him. Laman had to run for his life. Next, after the brothers had assembled their family fortune and presented it to him as a trade for the plates, he became greedy, told them to get out, and sent his servants to kill them. He wanted the fortune without giving anything in return, even if it meant killing four innocent men to get it.
Now, anyone with a sense of decency would find his behavior utterly violent and repulsive. They might say he was dangerous. What is even more chilling about his behavior is that in Laban we are given a view of the morals--or lack thereof--of many of Jerusalem's inhabitants at the time. They were without principle, sought mainly for worldly wealth and pleasure, and were often murderous. Is it any wonder they tried to kill Lehi, and caused him to flee for his life into the wilderness with his wife and family?
From Nehpi's record, we can tell that Laban was no outlier in Jewish society, but was part and parcel of it, because his servant later told Nephi that Laban had been out with the elders of the Jews. Thus, from Laban's example we can see why the Lord had sent His prophets to warn Jerusalem's people of destruction if the didn't repent. Lehi's had been one of those warning voices, but they had angrily rejected the message.
Given his behavior, it appears that changing his ways was the furthest thing from Laban's mind. In the rough-and-tumble world of Jerusalem, it seems he could hold his own quite well. Why repent? When the Lord's servants came calling, his reaction was the same as that of most of his countrymen: anger. What we learn from Laban's demise is that it's unwise to be unrepentant when the Lords sends His servants to you. We also learn that His patience has its limits.
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