Why Study This Book?
As you study 1 Nephi, you will discover that “the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty” ( 1 Nephi 1:20 ).
Who Wrote This Book?
Lehi’s son Nephi wrote this book in response to the Lord’s command that he keep a record of his people. Nephi was likely born in or near Jerusalem. He lived there during the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah and the reign of King Zedekiah.
When and Where Was It Written?
Nephi wrote the account that became 1 Nephi in approximately 570 B.C. —30 years after he and his family left Jerusalem (see 2 Nephi 5:28–31 ). He wrote it when he was in the land of Nephi.
What did Nephi write about?
Nephi wrote with three audiences in mind: his father’s descendants, the Lord’s covenant people in the last days, and all the people in the world (see 2 Nephi 33:3, 13 ). He wrote to persuade all to come unto Jesus Christ and be saved (see 1 Nephi 6:4 ).
What is the book of Nephi about?
The book of 1 Nephi contains the firsthand account of a people who made the journey to the land of promise. The Book of Mormon later names two other groups who voyaged to the promised land: the Mulekites (see Omni 1:14–17) and the Jaredites (see Ether 6:4–12 ).
Who wrote this book?
Lehi’s son Nephi wrote this book in response to the Lord’s command that he keep a record of his people. Nephi was likely born in or near Jerusalem. He lived there during the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah and the reign of King Zedekiah. Nephi sought his own witness about his father’s words concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the need for their family to leave. As he continued to seek and follow the counsel of the Lord, Nephi became an instrument in God’s hands. He obediently returned to Jerusalem with his brothers twice—first to obtain the brass plates and later to persuade Ishmael’s family to join Lehi’s family in the wilderness. With the Lord’s help, Nephi built the ship that took his family and others across the ocean to the promised land. When Lehi died, the Lord chose Nephi to be the leader of his people.
What does 1 Nephi 1-7 mean?
1 Nephi 1–7 Lehi leads his family into the wilderness. His sons heed the Lord’s commands to return to Jerusalem and obtain the brass plates and return again to persuade Ishmael and his family to join them in the wilderness.
What does the Lord command Lehi to do?
The Lord commands Lehi to depart with his family into the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 2:1–2 ).
What does Lehi see when he prays?
As Lehi prays, a pillar of fire appears, and he sees and hears many things that make him tremble (see 1 Nephi 1:6–7 ).
Who was Nephi's father?
In First Nephi, Nephi tells of his father Lehi prophesying that Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Babylonians.
How did Lehi and Nephi receive their callings?
For instance, both Lehi and Nephi received their callings by revelation and visions from the Lord. This is not much different from how Joseph Smith, Jr. received his calling. Nephi also expounds on the doctrine that all prophets teach of Christ by quoting Isaiah and other prophets.
What does Nephi see after Lehi's vision?
After Nephi's vision, he sees Laman and Lemuel, who are arguing over the meaning of Lehi's vision. Nephi chastises them for not asking the Lord for the interpretation, and explains the point they were disputing. He pleads with them to soften their hearts and submit themselves to the Lord.
What is the first book of Mormon?
The First Book of Nephi (pronounced /ˈniːfaɪ/) is the first book of the Book of Mormon. Its full title is The First Book of Nephi: His Reign and Ministry. The book is usually referred to as First Nephi and abbreviated as "1 Ne.". It is a first-person narrative, beginning around 600 BC, of a prophet named Nephi. The Second Book of Nephi is a continuation of this narrative.
What is the purpose of the plates of Nephi?
On the small plates, he is to write the spiritual record of the people, and the more plain and precious parts. On the large plates, he writes the history of the people, including their genealogy.
What is the genealogy of Lehi?
After receiving the brass plates, Lehi spends time studying them. He discovers it contains a genealogy of himself, and that he is a descendant of Joseph, the son of Jacob. It also the contains the five books of Moses.
What happened to Laman and Lemuel after the ship was completed?
After completing the ship, the voice of the Lord goes to Lehi and commands him to load his family and supplies on the ship. They depart on the ocean. Many days later, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael begin partying, dancing, singing, and being rude. Nephi, fearing that the Lord would be angry with them, speaks to them. They get upset with Nephi and tie him up. The compass—the ball of curious workmanship—ceases to function, and they get caught in a terrible storm. At the pleading of their wives, and for fear of sinking, Laman and Lemuel release Nephi. Nephi prays, and the storm stops, leaving a great calm. Many days later, they arrive in the promised land, on the American continent.
How old was Nephi when he passed away?
Nephi was about seventy years old when he passed away. He left behind a treasure of truth written upon plates of gold that neither time nor circumstance can tarnish, a treasure which will enrich the lives of countless millions in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
What did Nephi ask his father to do?
Had Nephi sought the power he was accused of seeking (1 Nephi 16:38), he might then have assumed leadership over his father. Instead, he honored and sustained his patriarch by asking: “Whither shall I go to obtain food?” (1 Nephi 16:23).
What were Laman and Lemuel's records?
But in spite of all they were taught, Laman, the archvillain, and his tag-along brother Lemuel emerge as fundamentally corrupt men. Their record was dismal: they were materialistic, faithless, disloyal, cowardly, complaining, cruel, lazy, untruthful, and, like Jacob’s son Reuben, “unstable as water” (Genesis 49:4)—humbling themselves one day and breathing out threats the next (1 Nephi 7:20; 16:5, 32, 39; 18:4, 15, 20). The only thing that really impressed them was power (1 Nephi 18:20). Above all, they were would-be murderers of their own father and brother. In the end, they polluted their posterity with their lies and brought a curse upon them that was not to be removed for more than a half a millennium.
How long did Nephi's vision last?
The vision well over three thousand years, from the birth of Jesus to the celestialization of the earth. However, Nephi was forbidden to write that portion of the revelation reserved for John the Revelator (1 Nephi 14:24–25; 2 Nephi 4:25). [9]
Where was Joseph's first encampment?
His first major encampment was in the valley of Lemuel near the Gulf of Aqabah —approximately two hundred miles south of Jerusalem. Joseph’s American odyssey had begun. Nephi was “exceedingly young” but “large in stature” at the time (1 Nephi 2:16; 4:31).
Who was the prophet in the Book of Mormon?
Nephi not only set the prophetic tone for his people for a thousand years, but his voice rings out to the children of Lehi and all mankind in our day. Indeed, his words and those of his fellow prophets in the Book of Mormon render that volume of scripture the keystone of salvation in this last gospel dispensation. Elder Bruce R. McConkie testified, “It is the book that will save the world and prepare the sons of men for joy and peace here and now and everlasting life in eternity.” [1]
Where did the Nephite chronicle begin?
The Nephite chronicle began in Jerusalem six hundred years before the birth of Christ. Nephi’s father, Lehi, a lifetime resident of the land, [3] had amassed a large fortune—probably through trade with Egypt, which had been a dominant influence in the Middle East for many centuries and controlled Palestine and Syria between 609 and 605 BC.
When was Nephi born?
Nephi was the fourth of six sons of Lehi and Sariah. He is believed to have been born in 615 BC. Nephi and his family lived in Jerusalem, circa 600 BC, during the reign of King Zedekiah, until Lehi was commanded by God to take his family and flee into the wilderness. Before their flight, Nephi's father prophesied the impending destruction ...
Who is Nephi in the Book of Mormon?
Nephi, son of Lehi. Nephi ( / ˈniːfaɪ / NEE-fy) is one of the central figures described in the Book of Mormon. He was a son of Lehi, a prophet, founder of the Nephite people, and author of the first two books of the Book of Mormon, First and Second Nephi .
What did Nephi and his brothers do to get the plates of brass?
A powerful man named Laban was in possession of the Plates of Brass, a record kept by the Jews which contained their laws, customs, history, and lineage. Nephi and his brothers tried three times to get the brass plates from Laban. First, they sent Laman, who simply asked Laban for the plates. Laban tried to kill Laman, accusing him of being a thief. Laman fled back to his brothers, extremely upset. The second time, Nephi convinced his brothers to try to buy the plates using their abandoned wealth. Laban wanted the riches but wouldn't give up the plates, sending his servants to kill them. They ran for their lives and their wealth fell into Laban's possession. The four brothers hid in a cave. Laman and Lemuel started to beat their younger brothers severely. An angel appeared and stopped them, telling Laman and Lemuel that, because of his righteousness, the Lord had made Nephi "a teacher and a ruler over them." Finally, Nephi returned to try one last time. Before he got to the house of Laban, he found a drunken man passed out in the street. The man was Laban. Nephi was then commanded by the Lord to kill Laban, an idea he struggled with because he had never before "shed the blood of man." The Spirit told him that it is better for "one man to perish than for an entire nation to dwindle and perish in unbelief." Nephi followed through with the command and then dressed himself in Laban's clothing and armor. He returned to Laban's house and ordered Zoram, one of Laban's servants, to bring him the Plates of Brass. He then led Zoram back to where his brothers were hiding. Laman, Lemuel, and Sam, seeing Nephi disguised as Laban were afraid and turned to flee. Nephi called out to them. When Zoram saw Nephi's brothers, he turned to run, but Nephi stopped him. Nephi promised Zoram "that he should be a free man like unto us if he would go down in the wilderness with us," to which Zoram agreed.
Why did Laman and Lemuel beat their brothers?
Laman and Lemuel started to beat their younger brothers severely. An angel appeared and stopped them, telling Laman and Lemuel that, because of his righteousness, the Lord had made Nephi "a teacher and a ruler over them.". Finally, Nephi returned to try one last time.
How long did Nephi live in the wilderness?
Nephi spent eight years in the wilderness, facing many hardships, including the breaking of his bow which made it impossible to obtain food, and Nephi's elder brothers Laman and Lemuel rebelling against him and his father Lehi. Nephi's rebellious older brothers attempted to kill him on at least two occasions.
Where did Nephi sail to?
Finally, in the land of Bountiful, Nephi is commanded by God to build a ship and sail to the "Promised Land" or the Americas. However, Laman and Lemuel do not think he should, saying, "Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters.".
What was Nephi's vision of Jesus and Mary?
After his father received his Vision of the Tree of Life, Nephi received a similar vision and recorded it in more detail, including an interpretation of each element of the dream.
