Scripture Study – 1 Nephi 17:16-20

Nephi has been commanded to build a ship, trusting the Lord to show him what to do. He asked where to find the ore necessary to form the tools he would need, and the Lord led him to the right place. He’s now ready to undertake the next step of the task—making the tools. 16. And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. 17. And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying: Our brother is … Continue reading →

Scripture Study – 1 Nephi 17:12-15

Nephi has just been commanded to build a ship, something he’s never done before in his life, but the Lord promised to show him the way, and Nephi is willing to give it a try. He makes a bellows to blow the fire, knowing he’ll need the heat to construct the tools for the building of the ship, and now he comments on the fact that they haven’t built many fires during the time they’ve been in the wilderness. 12. For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 17:7-11

Lehi and his family have reached the land of Bountiful, which is full of fruit and honey. After so much time eating whatever they could find or kill, they are overjoyed at the fresh produce and the change of pace from their normal diet. 7. And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto … Continue reading →

Scripture Study 1 Nephi 17:1-6

Laman and Lemuel have been chastened (again) and all is well in the little campsite. Food has been provided to the travelers and they are ready to resume their journey. 1. And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness. When I first read this, my thought was, “How terrible to give birth out in the wilderness.” But then I realized, it probably … Continue reading →

Scripture Study – 1 Nephi 16:37-39

Ishmael has recently died and his children are mourning exceedingly. They regret leaving Jerusalem and wish they still lived in their fine house. I conjecture that Laman and Lemuel’s anger was stirred up as they saw their wives sorrow for the death of their father. 37. And Laman said unto Lemuel and also unto the sons of Ishmael: Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren. This shows a great deal of hard-heartedness on Laman’s part. To actually contemplate … Continue reading →

Scripture Study – 1 Nephi 16:33-36

Nephi’s strong steel bow broke and the other bows in the company had lost their spring, and the family began to perish for lack of food. Nephi made another bow out of wood and inquired of his father where he should go to find food. Having success in his hunt, Nephi returned to the camp and all were fed. 33. And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents again, that we … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 16:26-32

Lehi’s family is wandering in the wilderness, and they are starving. The bows have lost their springs, and Nephi’s high quality steel bow was their last chance for survival. When his bow breaks, his brothers begin to murmur, and even Lehi complains against the Lord. But after Nephi speaks to his father and shows him loving respect befitting his position as patriarch of the family and prophet of the Lord, Lehi repents and goes to the Lord to inquire where Nephi should go to look for food. 26. And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said … Continue reading →

Scripture Study – 1 Nephi 16:20-25

Lehi and his family have departed further into the wilderness and are depending on the land to provide them with the food they need. The Liahona has led them through a fertile stretch of land, but Nephi’s bow has broken and they aren’t able to hunt very effectively. Laman and Lemuel are starting to complain about the lack of meat, their first recorded murmuring since Nephi’s impassioned plea for their repentance. 20. And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; … Continue reading →

Scripture Study – 1 Nephi 16:10-19

Nephi and his family have been camped a short distance from Jerusalem while they took care of the remainder of their business with the city. Now with the brass plates and with new brides, they are ready to head out into the wilderness, never to look back. The first morning of their new lives, a discovery is made. 10. And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. … Continue reading →

Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 16:7-10

Nephi has just delivered an impassioned speech to his brothers about the importance of repentance and turning our sins over to the Lord. He has told the consequences of sin and the fate that awaits the wicked. For the time being, they seem subdued and aren’t causing contention. It’s in this quiet lull that we read about the weddings that take place. As we recall, Nephi and his brothers returned to Jerusalem to ask Ishmael and his family to travel into the wilderness with them. Some have asked why they didn’t take Ishmael with them in the first place, rather … Continue reading →