Was Sam Mute?

    We are introduced to Sam in the preface to first Nephi where he is simply listed as the third son behind Laman and Lemuel and older then Nephi, the fourth son. While we hear much about Laman and Lemuel collectively, at least, as the two seem inseparable in the narrative, we hear very little about Sam. He is mentioned again in first Nephi chapter 2 verse five as one of the family members who travels in the wilderness. Lehi admonishes Laman and Lemuel and names a valley and river after them, but Sam isn't mentioned. In verse 17 Nephi explains the gospel to Sam who believes him. Thus, the stage is set for the family dramas that unfold. Laman  and Lemuel are linked together as are Sam and Nephi. Therefore, in future conflicts when Nephi reflects on his older bretheren we can assume he is referring to Laman and Lemuel and not Sam, even though Sam is also older than Nephi.
    We see this exclusion of Sam in first Nephi chapter 3 verse five. Lehi says he had a vision that Nephi and his bretheren and should return to Jerusalem for the brass plates held by Laban. Lehi specifically says to Nephi that his brothers murmur, complaining that the task is too difficult. Lehi then asks Nephi to take the lead or initiative to return to Jerusalem. Nephi accepts. Where is Sam? Laman  and Lemuel were likely the murmurers, not Sam. But, Lehi passed Sam, who is older than Nephi, and goes directly to Nephi. Why is Sam bypassed?
    Not only does Lehi seemingly bypass Sam, so does an angel. The bretheren, all four, return to Jerusalem to acquire the plates of brass from Laban. Sam isn't mentioned by name. After the second failed attempt to get the plates, Laman  and Lemuel are beating on their younger brothers and Nephi refers to 'us' being beaten, which must include Sam. But, an angel intervenes and only refers to Nephi in the singular. Sam is never mentioned. The angel speaks of the younger brother being chosen to be a ruler over Laman and Lemuel. The younger brother is Nephi, not Sam. So, Nephi records that Laman and Lemuel were beating on us, their younger bretheren, in the plural, but the angel only speaks in the singular of Nephi. Sam's presence is not acknowledged. The omission is curious and difficult to explain except as an anomaly created by Nephi who is telling the story. Or, perhaps something about Sam himself separates him from the other brothers.
    The next mention of Sam is in first Nephi chapter 7 verse six where he is listed as siding with Nephi in a revolt by Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael. No other detail about Sam is given. The thrust of the conflict is between Laman and Lemuel, and Nephi. Nephi is forcibly bound, but Sam is not mentioned as a victim of Laman and Lemuel's aggression. It is though something sets Sam apart.
    In Lehi's dream in chapter 8, Sam is mentioned as one who partakes of the tree of life. Sam isn't mentioned again until Lehi wants to give final words before he dies. Sam's absence from the broken bow incident, the shipbuilding story, and the ship mutiny at sea is glaring. Why isn't Sam mentioned in these accounts? In Lehi's last admonitions to his sons, he counsels Laman,  Lemuel, Sam, and sons of Ishmael to listen to Nephi. This is the first and last time Sam is linked with that group. In second Nephi chapter 4 verse 11 Lehi blesses Sam, but the blessing doesn't seem very personal. Sam is linked to Nephi. The blessing mentions Sam's posterity here and a family is referred to in second Nephi chapter 5 verse six as among those who escaped to the land of Nephi. Finally, in second Nephi chapter 5 verse 26, Nephi records consecrating Jacob and Joseph to be priests and teachers over the people. Again, where is Sam? He has disappeared.
    Sam is a ghostly presence in Nephi's account. Sam is never quoted, he never speaks, he leaves no record of his own. Sam is passed over by Lehi, the angel, and as a teacher and priest. Laman and Lemuel's engagements are always with Nephi, not Sam, even though Sam sides with Nephi and is Nephi's older brother. Sam is absent from the stories as a participant. He is only incidentally mentioned at all. Yet, Sam is older than Nephi and should have more prominence. It is as though Sam lacks something. Perhaps Sam is handicapped in some manner that excuses him from taking an active role and from prominence. Perhaps he is of limited mental capacity or has some other restriction which could be anything from having a clubfoot, cleft palate, blindness, or deformity. But, his silence is deafening. The record is mute and perhaps that is because Sam himself was mute.