1 Nephi
55 verses
We continued our journey in the wilderness, traveling almost directly east from that time on. We went through many hardships in the wilderness, and our women gave birth to children there.
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.
The Lord blessed us so much that even though we lived on raw meat in the wilderness, our women were able to nurse their children well and were strong, just like the men; they began to endure their journeys without complaining.
And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.
We see that God's commandments must be fulfilled. If people keep God's commandments, he nourishes them, strengthens them, and provides ways for them to accomplish what he has commanded. He provided for us while we traveled in the wilderness.
And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.
We traveled and lived in the wilderness for many years, even eight years.
And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.
We arrived at the land we called Bountiful because it had plenty of fruit and wild honey. The Lord had prepared all these things so we wouldn’t perish. We saw the sea, which we called Irreantum, meaning many waters.
And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters.
We set up our tents by the seashore. Even though we had suffered many hardships and difficulties—so many that we can't write them all—we were extremely happy when we arrived at the seashore. We named the place Bountiful because it had so much fruit.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful, because of its much fruit.
After I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for many days, the voice of the Lord came to me, saying, "Arise and go into the mountain. " So I got up, went into the mountain, and prayed to the Lord.
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 the Lord.
The Lord spoke to me, saying, "You will build a ship in the way that I will show you, so I can carry your people across these waters.
And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.
And I said, Lord, where should I go to find ore to melt, so I can make tools to build the ship the way you have shown me?
And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?
The Lord told me where I should go to find ore so that I could make tools.
And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.
I, Nephi, made a bellows out of animal skins to blow on the fire. After I made the bellows so I could keep the fire going, I struck two stones together to make a fire.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire.
The Lord had not allowed us to make much fire as we traveled in the wilderness, because he said, “I will make your food taste good so you don’t have to cook it. ”
For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for he said: I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not;
I will also be your light in the wilderness, and I will prepare the way before you if you keep my commandments. As long as you keep my commandments, you will be led toward the promised land, and you will know that it is by me that you are led.
And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
And the Lord also said that after you have arrived in the promised land, you will know that I, the Lord, am God, and that I, the Lord, delivered you from destruction, and that I brought you out of the land of Jerusalem.
Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.
So I, Nephi, tried to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I encouraged my brothers to be faithful and diligent.
Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.
I made tools from the ore that I melted out of the rock.
And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock.
When my brothers saw that I was about to build a ship, they started to complain about me, saying, "Our brother is a fool, because he thinks he can build a ship, and he also thinks he can cross these great waters.
And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, 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.
So my brothers complained about me and didn’t want to work, because they didn’t believe I could build a ship; they also didn’t believe that I was guided by the Lord.
And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship; neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lord.
I, Nephi, was extremely sorrowful because of how hard their hearts were. When they saw that I was sad, they were glad and even rejoiced over me, saying, "We knew you couldn't build a ship, because we knew you lacked good judgment; so you can't accomplish such a great task.
And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying: We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work.
You are just like our father, being led by the foolish ideas in his heart. He has led us out of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for many years. Our women have worked hard while pregnant; they have given birth in the wilderness and suffered everything except death. It would have been better if they had died before leaving Jerusalem than to suffer these hardships.
And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions.
All these years we have suffered in the wilderness, when we could have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance, and we could have been happy.
Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy.
We know that the people in Jerusalem were righteous because they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord and all his commandments according to the law of Moses. So we know they are righteous, but our father has judged them and has led us away because we were willing to listen to his words. Our brother is just like him. This is how my brothers murmured and complained against us.
And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.
I, Nephi, said to them, “Do you believe that our ancestors, the children of Israel, would have been led out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not listened to the words of the Lord? ”
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying: Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord?
Do you think they would have been led out of bondage if the Lord had not commanded Moses to lead them out?
Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead them out of bondage?
You know that the children of Israel were in bondage, and you know they were burdened with tasks that were hard to bear. So, you know it must have been good for them to be brought out of bondage.
Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage.
You know that Moses was commanded by the Lord to do that great work, and you know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided in both directions, and they passed through on dry ground.
Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.
You know that the Egyptians, who were Pharaoh’s armies, were drowned in the Red Sea.
But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh.
And you also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.
And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.
You also know that Moses, by his word and the power of God in him, struck the rock, and water came out so the children of Israel could quench their thirst.
Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.
Even though they were being led, with the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, guiding them by day and giving them light at night, and doing everything for them that was necessary for people to receive, they hardened their hearts, blinded their minds, and spoke against Moses and against the true and living God.
And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God.
As he promised, he destroyed them; as he promised, he led them; as he promised, he did everything for them; and nothing happened except by his word.
And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word.
After they crossed the river Jordan, he made them powerful enough to drive out the people of the land and scatter them to destruction.
And after they had crossed the river Jordan he did make them mighty unto the driving out of the children of the land, yea, unto the scattering them to destruction.
Do you think the people who lived in this promised land, who were driven out by our ancestors, were righteous? I tell you, no.
And now, do ye suppose that the children of this land, who were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our fathers, do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
Do you think our ancestors would have been more favored than them if they had been righteous? I’m telling you, no.
Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.
The Lord values all people equally; those who are righteous are favored by God. But this people rejected every word of God and were full of wickedness, so the fullness of God's wrath was upon them. The Lord cursed the land against them and blessed it for our ancestors. He cursed it against them for their destruction and blessed it for our ancestors so they could have power over it.
Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.
The Lord has created the earth so it can be inhabited, and he has created his children so they can possess it.
Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.
He raises up a righteous nation and destroys the nations of the wicked.
And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked.
He leads the righteous into precious lands, and destroys the wicked, and curses the land for their sake.
And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.
He rules high in the heavens, for that is his throne, and this earth is his footstool.
He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool.
He loves those who accept him as their God. He loved our ancestors and made covenants with them—even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and he remembered the covenants he had made, so he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt.
He disciplined them in the wilderness with his rod because they hardened their hearts, just as you have. The Lord disciplined them because of their sins. He sent fiery flying serpents among them, and after they were bitten, he provided a way for them to be healed. All they had to do was look, but because the way was so simple and easy, many of them died.
And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.
They hardened their hearts from time to time and spoke against Moses and against God. Still, you know that they were led by His unmatched power into the promised land.
And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses, and also against God; nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise.
Now, after all these things, the time has come that they have become wicked, almost completely; and I don't know but that today they are about to be destroyed. I know that the day will surely come when they must be destroyed, except for a few who will be taken into captivity.
And now, after all these things, the time has come that they have become wicked, yea, nearly unto ripeness; and I know not but they are at this day about to be destroyed; for I know that the day must surely come that they must be destroyed, save a few only, who shall be led away into captivity.
So the Lord commanded my father to leave and go into the wilderness. The Jews also tried to kill him, and you have tried to take his life too. You are murderers in your hearts and just like them.
Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away his life; yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life; wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them.
You are quick to do evil but slow to remember the Lord your God. You have seen an angel, and he spoke to you; you have heard his voice from time to time, and he has spoken to you in a still, small voice, but you were past feeling and could not feel his words. So he has spoken to you with a voice like thunder, which caused the earth to shake as if it were about to split apart.
Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder.
You also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth to pass away, and you know that by his word he can make rough places smooth, and smooth places break apart. So why are your hearts so hard?
And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?
My soul is torn with anguish because of you, and my heart is in pain; I’m afraid you’ll be cast off forever. I am so full of the Spirit of God that my body has no strength.
Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength.
After I spoke these words, they became angry with me and wanted to throw me into the depths of the sea. As they came forward to grab me, I said to them, "In the name of the Almighty God, I command you not to touch me, for I am filled with the power of God, even to the consuming of my flesh. Whoever lays a hand on me will wither like a dried reed and will be nothing before the power of God, for God will strike him.
And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words, they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying: In the name of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of God, even unto the consuming of my flesh; and whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed; and he shall be as naught before the power of God, for God shall smite him.
I, Nephi, told them not to complain against their father anymore and not to refuse to help me, because God had commanded me to build a ship.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them that they should murmur no more against their father; neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I should build a ship.
I told them, if God commanded me to do anything, I could do it. If he told me to say to this water, "Become earth, " it would become earth; and if I said it, it would happen.
And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
And now, if the Lord has such great power and has performed so many miracles among the children of men, how can you say that he cannot instruct me to build a ship?
And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?
I, Nephi, said many things to my brothers, so much that they were confused and couldn’t argue with me; they didn’t dare lay their hands on me or even touch me with their fingers for many days. They didn’t dare because they were afraid they would wither in front of me, the Spirit of God was so powerful; and that’s how it affected them.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that they were confounded and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days. Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit of God; and thus it had wrought upon them.
The Lord said to me, "Stretch out your hand again toward your brothers, and they will not wither in front of you, but I will shock them. I am doing this so they will know that I am the Lord their God.
And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy brethren, and they shall not wither before thee, but I will shock them, saith the Lord, and this will I do, that they may know that I am the Lord their God.
I stretched out my hand toward my brothers, and they didn’t wither in front of me; but the Lord shook them, just as he had said he would.
And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither before me; but the Lord did shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken.
They said, “We know for sure that the Lord is with you, because we know it’s the power of the Lord that has shaken us. ” They fell down before me and were about to worship me, but I wouldn’t allow it. I said, “I am your brother, your younger brother. Worship the Lord your God, and honor your father and your mother so that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God will give you. ”
And now, they said: We know of a surety that the Lord is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.