Why is Laban losing his head such a big deal?

The story of cutting off the head of Laban is gory and unnecessary to an American.

Here are a couple of perspectives on this story.

1)           Laban’s mortal experience was over according to God. God gave Laban his life. Nephi was commanded by God to take the life of Laban.

  • The boys tried to get the plates three times.
  • Laban had three opportunities to give Lehi’s boys the plates.
  • The Spirit constrained Nephi to kill Laban three times.
  • Laban mortal probation was over which is a shadow of Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecy just prior to the birth of the Savior in Helaman 13:38 where he says…