Lessons from 1 Nephi 2:14

2 Nephi 2:14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them. 

* I love this example of Lehi showing the fortitude to speak to Laman and Lemuel when they are murmuring. There will be times when it is necessary to correct our children. I am reminded of the story in the Old Testament of Samuel and Eli. Eli's sons were behaving in a manner that rivaled the murmuring of Laman and Lemuel. Eli, though, was not willing to correct his sons. He was not willing to "speak with power, being filled with the Spirit," and the consequences were pretty unfavorable for everyone involved. 

* HOWEVER, it is important to notice the correlation between being filled with the Spirit and being able to speak with power. If we really want to be able to speak to our children with POWER, then the source of that power needs to be the Spirit. That Spirit will direct us to give the correction appropriately -- gently and lovingly, but boldly and clearly. (See D&C 121:41-44) We MUST do whatever it takes to have the Spirit with us. 

* This verse says that afterwards, Laman and Lemuel "durst not" murmur anymore, and they started "doing" as Lehi had commanded them. It is unclear to me whether this implies a change of heart, or whether they are just scared of the consequences. My impression is that they have not stopped THINKING their utterings, they've just stopped saying them. And despite DOING as Lehi commanded them, I bet they are not very happy about it. But I guess it's a start, and Lehi has done everything he was supposed to do at this point. Thus he is no longer accountable for Laman and Lemuel exercising their agency.