1 Nephi 4:26

There must be such a thing as righteous deception, right? Maybe deception isn't the right word? But the Lord was obviously in charge of leading the mission to get the plates and it seems like some sort of righteous deception was part of the plan.

Nephi, intentionally deceived Zoram.

In fact, it seems like Nephi "lied", "stole" and "murdered" all in one trip.

So, how is this reconciled?

Is it okay to deceive when inspired to do so? If I'm looking at this scripture, the answer MUST be yes. We obey the law GIVER, over the "law" itself.

If a bad guy entered the building, wouldn't hiding from him be 'deceiving' him in a sense? Turning off the lights and 'pretending' we are not there? (As Nephi pretended he was Laban.)

Plus, God instructed Nephi to kill Laban. But murder, except for war or self-defense is a most grievous sin, right? So, the answer must be that we obey God, no matter WHAT His commandments are. I have come to know that I can always trust God- regardless of my understanding of what He commands.

I find comfort in knowing that I don't obey God's laws as much as I obey God. I don't follow "the" commandments - I follow the commandment Giver.

Other examples:

• Sending Moses down river in a basket

• Abraham commanded to sacrifice (kill) his son

• Early saints and prophets having more than one wife

God gave the commandment not to kill, lie and steal (the plates) in the first place. Do we follow that and cling to the commandments more than following, trusting in and clinging to the Commandment Giver?

This is another example of knowing and trusting God completely. Because what He asks, inspires, and commands us to do (whether or not we understand, like, or are even repulsed by it) is always out of love and for our benefit.

God knows what's best. Not us.

Comforting!