THE BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 6

1 Nephi Chapter 6  

1 And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father; wherefore, I do not write it in this work. 

In the first verse of Chapter 6, Nephi tells us that he does not give the genealogy of his fathers in THIS part of the record, in 2 Nephi Chapter 4 verse 15, Nephi tells us these are written of his soul, in which he writes for his future children.  This is more of his personal message not so much his fathers.

Nephi is wanting us, the readers, as well as the men of Jerusalem to be persuaded to do what is right, and to make wise choices, in chapter 5, he begins by saying:

  Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.

I think this is Nephi reminding us that we can't serve two masters, while we are here on earth we are given the opportunity to make choices, and one of those choices is to obey our Heavenly Father, and do as he asks of us, the other choice we can make is to serve the other master, that of materialistic things, earthly things, in the Book of Galatians Chapter 1 verse 10, the Apostle Paul reveals  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Once again we see that we are to choose serving our Father in Heaven.

Remember, Nephi's writings were in the Old Testament times, whereas the Apostle Paul tells us this in the New Testament.  Nephi's wise words were before his time, and they still ring true today, even more so in fact.

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Things To Think About

This is a short Chapter, but a very important one at that, This chapter reminds us that we cannot serve two masters, that we must utililize our freedom of choice, and make the better decision.  

1)  How often are we put in the position where we must make this choice?

2)  How often do we make the right choice? the one the Lord wants?

3)  As we continue to grow and spiritually blossom, do those decisions get easier? or are we still tempted? 

This is SO important for us to always keep in mind, the choices we make and the decision and effects that come from it.

Jacob taught us:  "O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves. …

“But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:28–29).

We must go to the Lord in all things, and have faith that our prayers will be answered.

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Personal Thoughts

This is a very good chapter for me, I think too many times in my life, I am making decisions not thinking that there is another option, and certainly not allowing myself to exercise that right.  I need to work harder at looking at my options in my choices, as small or as big as they are, there is always one that the Lord wishes of us to take, and I need to do better.

   I feel that in order for me to be able to be a better person, I need to work even harder and do better at making wise decisions.  I also need to go to the Lord more often even for the little things.

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THE BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 5

1 Nephi Chapter 5, We get back to Lehi and Sariah. Sariah has become upset with Lehi because, she believes that if Lehi was the visionary man that he said he was, than he wouldn't have sent his only sons on a suicide mission to retrieve the brass plates, but Lehi knew that he was in fact a visionary man, and that he knew that by having the lord's blessing that his sons would be okay.

1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she truly had mourned because of us.

7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.

In verses 1 and 7, we read that Sariah was upset, but she became exceedingly glad, they they were full of joy after Nephi had arrived with Laman, Lemuel, and now Zoram, they were comforted in their return. After Nephi and his brothers had arrived, Sariah was also comforted in her husband, now fully knowing that he was a visionary man, and that the Lord had commanded him, and Nephi to return the plates.

9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel

(click here to learn more about sacrifice)

In Chapters 10-22, it describes the Brass Plates in further detail;

Telling us that there is more of the plates than we have in our Old Testament, the words of people such as Zenock, Neum, and Zenos, to name a few, as far as the information on the brass plates, we have only begun to truly scratch the surface as to what it has to offer, remember what it says in verse 18:

"That these aplates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. "

Sound familiar? Aren't we given this blessed book of Mormon that has been translated into so many different languages?

Bruce R. McConkie reminds us too that the information on those plates will ".. come forth in due time as part of the restoration of all things." (Millennial Messiah, p. 113)

In Chapter 15:

And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.

There is symbolism in this chapter, The Lord LITERALLY led the Children of Israel out of Egyptain bondage. Remember that when we live a faithful life, and if we follow the gospel, that we will be saved, that we will be led out of "captivity" of sin, and out of the world (Egypt) into the "promised land" (heaven).

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Things to think about:

Remember that as we study the scriptures, that we have been given a gift, and that is this important information that we read every time we open the scriptures.

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Things to ask our self and think about;

1) Have you ever had something happen to you that you just knew that the Lord would keep you safe?

2) Lehi knows he is a visionary man, who has direct revelation and visits from God, we receive our revelations through President Thomas S. Monson. Why is it we don't receive direct revelation?

3) Remember to pray, we speak directly to Heavenly Father, although we don't receive the Lords word in speech, we do receive his words in other ways.

4) Remember thay by living the gospel, we are promised that we will be led out of the captivity, and led into the promised land of heaven.

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Personal Thoughts

This chapter is a good chapter to think about how our parents look at us, Lehi and Sariah were confident in sending their own children to retrieve the Brass Plates, they had such confidence in their kids, and that means a lot.

As a father, I need to be able to know that there is a point in my kids lives that I may need to put my life in their hands and that i need to also be able to accept their help. I think so many parents feel that they are being less of a parent when they have to ask their kids for help, but look at the blessings that come from it.

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THE BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 4

In the 4th chapter of Nephi, Nephi takes matters into his own hands and slays Laban, with the Lord's command to do so, and receives the brass plates and returns to Lehi and his family in the wilderness.

In verses 1-4, Nephi is telling his brothers that they should have faith, and that they should fear not and go back to Jerusalem, by having the faith in the Lord that they will be protected, they should go back and destroy Laban.

Nephi has been very strong in keeping his commandment towards the Lord, and he is being rewarded with the clarity and piece in knowing that he will be safe even while up against Laban's thousands of followers. (Sometimes we have a hard time standing up for what we believe in, whether it be religious, or any other type of belief, and here is Nephi, being so full of faith ready to take on an Army.) Nephi tries to talk his brothers into going with him, but even while having been greeted by an angle of the lord, they still are in disbelief and do not have the faith in which Nephi has, they followed Nephi but only to the walls of Jerusalem.

Nephi goes into the walls of the house of Laban by himself to take the plates, he then is stopped by the sight of a drunken man who indeed ends up being Laban himself. Nephi then took Laban's own sword and vowed not to kill him, because he did not want to kill a man, but was quickly prompted by the lord telling him that he had delivered Laban into his (Nephi's) hands for him to slay him, reminding him that it is "better that one mand should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." Nephi reminded himself of his previous meeings with the Lord telling him that "Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of Promise.

Nephi obey's the voice of the spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and with using Laban's own sword, Nephi then put on Laban's clothes and went to take Laban's treasure. Pretending to be Laban, Nephi commanded a servant in the voice of Laban to take him to the treasure, and to follow him as he took the plates to his brothers outside the walls of Laban's fortress.

Nephi and the servant came to Laman and Lemuel, who by the look of Nephi, they thought he was Laban, and the became very afraid, for they thought Laban had slayed Nephi and that he was going to do the same to them.

Laban's servant tried to flee, but Nephi grabbed him and held him there, where, Nephi told him that he would not kill him, but that he would keep him alive, and that he could be free if he were to follow Nephi and his brothers into the wilderness. Zoram, which is the name of the servant did decide to follow them into the wilderness. and promised he would continue in their journey, only if the fact that the Jews would not follow them into the wilderness to destroy them. They then took the plates and the belongings of Laban back to Lehi into the wilderness.

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Things to think about

As you continue your study of the Book of Mormon, watch for evidence of the importance of the brass plates in the subsequent history of the Nephites.

1) Why did Nephi have the courage to go into the house of Laban on his own?

2) Nephi was prompted by the Lord to kill Laban, he even handed him to him, has the Lord ever just handed you something?

3) What are you doing right now in your life, to be able to receive such a blessing/prompting?

4) Was there a Church anciently, and if so, how was it organized and regulated? answer

5) Zoram made an oath to Nephi to follow him into the wilderness, have you ever made such a strong oath?

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Personal Thoughts

I think that Nephi is an amazing man, he is a prime example of how we should be as followers of the church, but just as a human in general. I look at Nephi and I see someone who knows and appreciates the blessings he has received from the Lord, and that he knows that he needs to always be a good sheep to his Shepard.

I wish to follow his example into my everyday life, to follow the promptings i feel from the Lord through the Holy Ghost, and from our dear Prophet and Prophets of old. I want to remember everyday that I am truly blessed, and that with the Lord's help, and with the strength that i have, that I can fulfill all my duties and responsibilities.

I hope to use this lesson to better myself as a father, and to be a better husband, as well as a better son, and son to our great and passionate Father in Heaven. I know that this is THE true church and that, we have been sent here to do the Lord's work, and to continue to build, I know that President Monson is a Prophet, and converses with the Lord regularly, and I know that through his guidance, and teachings, that I can achieve my goals, thank you so much, amen.

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THE BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 3

1 Nephi Chapter 3: Lehi's sons returns to Jerusalem to get the plates of brass. Laban refuses to give them up, while Nephi encourages his brothers, and the Laban steals their property and tries to kill them, while Laman and Lemuel talk bad about Nephi, and rebuke him, but are reproved my an angel.

Between 600 and 592 B.C.


1 Nephi Chapter 3 starts with Nephi returning from speaking with the Lord, and going to his father Lehi's tent.

   Lehi tells Nephi that he had a drea where Nephi and his brothers were commanded by the Lord to return to Jerusalem, where Laban has the records of the Jews and a genealogy of their family, and that they are engraved upon brass plates.
   In the dream, the Lord told Lehi that he was to have his sons return to Jerusalem and go to Lagan and seek the records and bring them into the wilderness. Nephi's brothers Laman and Lemuel did not like hearing what Nephi was telling them, but Nephi told them it is a commandmet from God, The Lord told Nephi that when he goes to Jerusalem that he will be safe because he murmured not, and therefore he will have the Lord's blessing.
   Nephi prepared for the journey telling his father that he know that he will be safe knowing that the Lord doesn't give commandments unto his children that they can't handle and that they have the Lord's blessing therefore they will be safe.
   Nephi then took his brothers with him to Jerusalem to retrieve the plates, while they were on their way, they decided that Laman the eldest would go to talk to Laban to try to get the plates, Laban did not like the request and sent Laman away telling him that he was a thief, and that Laman would kill Laban.
   As they were getting ready to return unto the wilderness, Nephi told them that as the Lord liveth, and as they life, they will not go down to Lehi without the plates..
   Nephi told them that they were doing it in the Lords name, and that if they got the plates from Laban, they would be preserved, as well as their children. They went to their land of inheritence, and picked up all their silver and gold to take to Laban in exchange for the plates, hoping that Laban would lust after them and want the in exchange for the plates. Laban did want their gold and silver, but he sent them away and sent his servants to slay them and take their stuff, but they fled into the wilderness and hid behind a rock.
   Laman and Lemuel became very upset and spoke very ill of Nephi and Lehi, and they said many harsh words about them and they hit Nephi and Samuel with a rod. That is when an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and told them "why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands."
   After the angel finished his words, he soon left, leaving Laman and Lemuel to begin to murmer once again saying "How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban inro our hands? Behold he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty, then why not us?"

1 Nephi 3:1-10. talks about the journey back to Jerusalem, The distance from Jerusalem to the Red Sea is about 180 miles, it took Lehi and his family 3 days to make the journey, that's 60 miles a day,


1 Nephi 3:26–31. Evidence of God’s Power
Several interesting points are raised in 1 Nephi 3:26–31. Could the anger of Laman and Lemuel have been related to the loss of their wealth? (see 1 Nephi 2:11). Also, on several occasions divine intervention became necessary to preserve Nephi from his brothers’ hatred, but even direct evidence of God’s power was not enough to change the hardness of their hearts. Imagine seeing an angel and then immediately after his departure proceeding to complain again!

This evidence provides support of the Savior’s parable wherein he said: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). How does this principle relate to people who say things like, “Well, if I could only see the golden plates then I would know the Book of Mormon is true”?

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Things to think about:

1)  Who is Laban?

2)   1 Nephi 3:11—What Does It Mean to "Cast Lots"?

3)   The Lord gave them direct commands to do what he asked of them and yet, Laman and Lemuel still argued, and didn't believe what the Lord told of them to do. So when we are asked of certain things from the lord through our prophet, what is our reasoning for not doing so? even the small things, we still find justification to our actions, and we seem fine with it. How can we work on that?

WORDS TO KNOW:

Engraven (vv. 3, 12)—Cut or scratched into metal

Lust after (v. 25)—Uncontrolled desire, want

Were obliged (v. 26)—Were forced

Iniquities (v. 29)—Sins

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THE BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 2

1 Nephi Chapter 2 Lehi takes his family into the wilderness by the Red Sea—They leave their property—Lehi offers a sacrifice to the Lord and teaches his sons to keep the commandments—Laman and Lemuel murmur against their father—Nephi is obedient and prays in faith; the Lord speaks to him, and he is chosen to rule over his brethren. Between 600 and 592 B.C.


Nephi's father Lehi had a dream in which the Lord spake unto him, saying "Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life." In Lehi's dream, in which the Lord spoke to him, the Lord was guiding him and telling him that by talking to the "jerusalites(?)" that since they were so mad at him, they were going to kill him.

In Lehi's dream, the Lord commanded him to take his family and leave into the wilderness. And without fail, and without question, Lehi was obedient to the Lord, and left with his family into the wilderness, away from the people who were trying to kill him.

When Lehi took his family, he left all his posessions, all his silver, gold, and most precious things, and only took his family, and tents, and basics survival stuff.

Lehi and his family walked three days into the wilderness, and took up camp near a river, to where Lehi built an altar, and offered thanks to Heavenly Father, and he named the river they were near; Laman. Lehi named the river Laman, and told Laman that he was like the river " O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!" He also spoke to Lemuel and said that he too was like the valley they were in saying "O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!"

Now even though Lehi had said such highly things of his oldest sons, they still said bad things, and murmered about their father, not understanding and bickering that he took them into the wilderness without their inheritance, and all their "precious" things, calling his act: foolish.

Nephi writes in chapter 16, that due to his willingness, and faithfulness that he too received visits from the Lord, and that he did believe his father, and did not go behind his father's back. While Nephi spoke to his brothers, only Samuel believed him, laman and Lemuel did not believe him.

the Lord promised Nephi that if he kept the commandments and prosper in the land, that he will be rewarded, and a ruler and teacher over his brethren.

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Things to think about:

1) If the Lord asked us right now, to leave all our possessions, and everything we own, would we be able to just turn around and walk into the wilderness?  What items would be hard to leave? 

2) Are we doing what we need to do to possibly one day receive revelation, or a visit from the Lord? what can we do each day to become closer to that point?

3) Once again, we are constantly being persecuted for our beliefs throughout the media, and from others, as history repeats itself, are we living like in the times of the old Jerusalem? living in a world where false prophets and naysayers are everywhere, are we doing our part to be like Lehi and sharing and growing in our testimony?

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THE BOOK OF NEPHI CHAPTER 1

Nephi begins the record of his people—Lehi sees in vision a pillar of fire and reads from a book of prophecy—He praises God, foretells the coming of the Messiah, and prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem—He is persecuted by the Jews. About 600 B.C.


1 Nephi Chapter 1 (click link to go to chapter) starts off talking about Nephi, who is the youngest son of father and mother; and Sariah.
Nephi has 3 older siblings; Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.



Nephi was born of goodly parents, in which he was taught Egyptian which was his father (Lehi's) language. By being raised with the knowledge of God, he was able to make a record of his proceedings. The language of his father (Lehi) consisted of the learning of the Jews, and the language of the Egyptians.

learn more about Nephi's language

Nephi writes of in the time of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah (600 B.C.) and in that year, there were many prophets telling people that they must repent of Jerusalem must be destroyed.

Why did Nephi write this book?

Lehi went to pray to the lord for his people and was answered with a pillar of fire on a rock, which scared him, but helped him feel the spirit in which he went back home to Jerusalem. (8) By having felt so strong of the spirit, he was cast away in a vision where he saw God on his throne, surrounded by numberless concourses of angels singing praise of the Lord.
lehi saw in his vision One "descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day." as well as twelve others following him, and their brightness was that of the stars. The angels(apostles) came to Lehi and gave him a book and bade him to read, in which he did and was filled with the spirit of the Lord.

While and after reading the book, he felt very compelled to let the people of Jerusalem know of their afflictions, and abominations, and they by their actions Jerusalem should be destroyed, and the inhabitants should perish by the sword, and that many should be carried away to Babylon.

Lehi felt the spirit and was compelled to tell the people, and prophesy and tell them of all the things in which they were doing wrong and what was going to happen. Only to have the Jews Mock and tease him of the things in which he spoke of. Lehi made the people upset and they became very angry to where they sought out to kill Lehi.

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Things to think about:

1) As far as what we are taught, we are taught to stand up for what we believe in, and we are taught that if we truly want and believe in something, than we need to stand up and be strong and fight for our beliefs; in our world today we (Mormons) are being persecuted at a what seems like an alarming rate, in schools, and in our work, and in our communities we are put to the test everyday to stand up for our beliefs. But the question is, what are we doing to stand up? is setting an example the only way we can put our heels to the dirt and be strong?

2) What are appropriate ways that we can be solid members of our faith, and protect what it is that we believe in?

3) How are we like Nephi/Lehi? what characteristics do we have that we see in them?


4) After reading this, what did you learn? and how can you imply it to your own life?

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