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. [notice the direction – they are careful to point out so that we know they went almost due east and for how long did they travel eastward? vs 4 says nearly eight years. Cross all the way thru China?. View ocean current image] And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness. [this would have been considered a real blessing given the high rate of infant mortality especially in the desert - when a child was to survive it would have been a blessing]

2 And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, [ According to the Law Of Moses it would have been forbidden to eat blood - so the meat would have possibly have been cured either by drying or by using salt. ] 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.

3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. [ In case you doubted it - notice who is in total and complete control. It is all done under his hand. Nephi is teaching us how God works with all men - then specifically himself and his family. How does he do it? ] And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments [ 1st he find his children that are willing to work with him so that he can empower them (They start by keeping the commandments)] of God he doth nourish them, [2nd God provides spiritual and physical power to endure] and strengthen them, [then he gives them added strength - they begin to understand the entire picture - the plan of salvation] and provide means [notice he does not say then he clears the path and pushes the cart across the plains and the pioneers ride, he does not say the road is easy - but that he will simple provide a way and means to accomplish the task] 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.

4 And we did sojourn [The English word "sojourn" appearing in the KJV OT usually means "to travel".] for the space of many years, yea, *even eight years [How long do we go through trials before we start to complain? Would you have been diligent – committed enough to see it through for eight years? What took them so long? If they went across China then no wonder it took so long but if they just went across the bottom of xxx did it take so long because the women where having children so they would constantly be having to stop for that. Was the Lord preparing them further? Where thye like ancient Israel where the murmuring of the wicked caused the whole party to be slowed down? According to the Law of Moses a time of separation was required for new mothers for purification (thirty days for a male child and sixty for a female), so this probably would have required the party to halt for at least that period of time.] in the wilderness.

5 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. [ Interesting side note - that all things were prepared by the Lord. Is it possible that Nephi and his family had been lead to the same place that the Jaradites had built their ships years before. And that the bees that were taken by the Jaradites were left there for a wise purpose ni the Lord? We do know this: 1) in Ether 2:3 "and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees" 2) It is not mentioned that they took the bees with them. So they could have easily taken the honey on the boat and left the bees to flourish there. ] And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters. [ In the Jabbali language - the unwritten language of southern Oman the word for sea is iruminum which sounds surprisingly like “Irreantum”. In the Hebrew tradition to interpret something means to make a connection with something in the Torah ( The first 5 Books of Moses in the Old Testament ). This is done to communicate greater teachings, and direct the reader to specific scriptures and teachings. When the word interpreted is used it is a key for us that there are hidden teachings for in the Torah relating to this topic, go look for it. For example here we have the usage of the word IRRE-an-tum which is used to draw the Israelite reader to a unique name or title for God/YHVH (Genesis 22:11-14). This title is first mentioned in the account of Abraham who took his son Isaac up a mountain (attributed to be Mount Moriah - the location of the future temple of solomon) to be sacrificed. Instead of carrying out the sacrifice God offers his own solution. IRRE-an-tum does not translate into the words many waters, but that is not what he is saying. First he is saying that the title for God found in the Torah in Genesis 22:11-14 is Jehovah-jireh (YHVH Yireh) which means "YHVH shall be seen" or "YHVH shall give a vision" connected to the Hebrew word ra'ah meaning to behold, a seer. and to have a vision. The remainder of the word is "an-tum" an means: as to eyes and tom means" amazed/wholeness/perfect or integrity. So by Nephi calling the place Irreantum he is describing the place where he like Abraham ascended a mountain and beheld the Lord in a grand or glorious revelation. It is also in this account with Abraham that we see a type and a shadow of the Messiah providing for deliverance/atonemant. Now here He is trying to get us to connect this word here to a teaching in the Torah with the phrase "many waters". So where in the Torah do we find the phrase "many waters"? Numbers 22-24 where we are introduced to Balaam the son of Beor. He was a gentile or a non-israelite prophet. In the account Balaam is called upon by Balak the king of Moab to declare curses over the Israelites. In this teaching every time Balaam was called upon to curse Israel he was given prophecy by God to only pronounce blessings upon the house of Israel. The actual account contains three distinct prophecies regarding the House of Israel. This particular prophecy upon the House of Israel wherein we find the connection to the phrase "many waters" which is found in Balaam's third prophecy where it declares: "he shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted." (Numbers 24:7). So Nephi is teaching that the idea that Lehi and his family were exhiled from Jerusalem is a fulfillment of prophecy. That they will be sent out into the many waters and their seed will be blessed from it. If we take the scriptures that he gave us in the interpretation we get an expanded view of what Nephi saw on the mountain. ]

6 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.

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 the Lord.

8 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.

9 And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, [ What is Nephi's first question? Where do I go to find ore? This seems like a question that would be asked by someone with a little season in carpentry, not the first question. Lehi was rich so where did Nephi acquire skills in building? Most likely his father or at least uncles or neighbors. Was his father a famous carpenter? How did he become rich? Was it through his fine craftmanship? Was he sought out through out the region? Did this help his father to understand Egyptian? ] that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?

10 And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

11 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.

12 For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, [ Why not make fire? A suggestion proposed by Nibley in _Lehi in the Desert_ might have been to avoid bringing attention to themselves in an area inhabited by hostile nomadic raiders and slave traders.] as we journeyed in the wilderness; for he said: I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not;

13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; [ Symbolic that without fire the Lord will be there physical and spiritual light. ] 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.

14 Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, [ This would have had great meaning to them at the time of this promise. Remember they were familiar with Abraham and the covenant that God made with Abraham which included land. Now they were thousands of miles outside of the land of Abraham, and so they may have been wondering if the covenant applied to them as well. So here they are told that God can establish a specific covenant with them and this land. a land in which if they covenant with him to keep his covenants with them they will be blessed betond measure, just as Abraham was promised. The 1830 edition read "after ye have arrived to the promised land." Both in and to are possible in biblical Hebrew, but arrive to< is much more common. English prefers arrive at. How could Joseph Smith have known? In Hebrew, the word that marks the beginning of a relative clause (generally translated which or who in English) does not always closely follow the word it refers back to, as it usually does in English. some Book of Mormon passages give the impression of having been translated from Hebrew.(The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon; John A. Tvedtnes) ] ye shall know [ In Hebrew, the word for "know" is the word yada, which means not only learning about something or someone but experiencing something or someone. It is not a superficial experience of God but a profoundly intimate experience. In the Israelite worldview, The Old Testament is the foundation of this experience. ] 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.

15 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.

16 And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. [ Note his brothers do not mock the fact that he has set about to make tools, like they did about making a boat. Why? Did he works as a blacksmith or learn some of that trade earlier? It appears that his bow was a little better than the others? ]

17 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.

18 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.

19 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.

20 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.

21 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.

22 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; [How does Laman's arguement hold up? I know they were righteous because they kept the Law Of Moses. 1) According to whose standard? 2) Lehi was the prophet and was commanded to depart by the Lord - so the law is irrelevant. God is the judge, God can change the Law that he requires of a people at any given time. How do we set the standards for God when we do not listen to the current prophet but compare righteousness with an old law? If the prophet asks us to do something that was not required to do before; what it the standard to the Lord -the old or the new law?] wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; [ Or in other words they are no worse than us, a way of dismissing their own flaws; and then pointing to the imprefections of others as justification for what they believe. ] 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.

23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, [Nephi begins to rebut the arguments delivered by Laman under the direction of the spirit see vs 47. He starts off by stating what the Lord did for ancient Israel.] 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 [ Listened and obeyed. ] unto the words of the Lord? [ 1 - the Lord revealed to Moses that Israel needed to leave. ]

24 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? [ 2 - would they have left without that revelation? No ]

25 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.

26 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. [3 - The Lord continued to show forth his hand when he divided the Red Sea. He's told to divide it with the rod. Elsewhere in Exodus, it's called the Matteh ha-elohim, the rod of God. What's interesting is that in Egyptian, a language that Nephi tells us at the very beginning of his record that he knew, and he's proud of it because it's a second language, and not everybody had that kind of an education. He grew up speaking Hebrew in the area of Jerusalem, as all ancient Judaites and those of Israelite ancestry who were there learned. But his father taught him. And in Egyptian, the word for rod and word, and the verb to speak, are the same thing. The Egyptian word medu, which means a rod or a staff, it's also the verb for to speak. And in fact, when it's written in Egyptian, not only middle Egyptian, but later in the Egyptian of Lehi's time, they're still writing it with a rod hieroglyph as a part of the writing. Interesting that Jospeh Smith would have used those words in the translation without revelation. ]

27 But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh. [4 - The Lord released the waters to drowned the Egyptian army. The waters obeyed the commands of God - and you know they did. instead of the Egyptians, who were the armies of Pharaoh, were drowned in the Red Sea. How could Joseph Smith have known? In Hebrew, the word that marks the beginning of a relative clause (generally translated which or who in English) does not always closely follow the word it refers back to, as it usually does in English. some Book of Mormon passages give the impression of having been translated from Hebrew.(The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon; John A. Tvedtnes) ] ]

28 And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness. [5 - The Lord feed Israel physically in the wilderness lest they would have died, just as he has feed us so that we did not need to cook our meat]

29 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. [ 6 - And all manner of other miracles were provided by Moses under the command of God, just as the Lord has provided us miracles. How did he get the water out of the rock? With the rod. So to Nephi, word and rod, because he knows Egyptian. They're the same thing. Yeah. In fact, some scholars think that the word that's used in Hebrew for Moses' rod, matteh some scholars think that's actually an Egyptian loan word. That it's the word rod out of Egyptian. If that's true, that would strengthen the connection there. But Nephi clearly thinks of rod and the word in identical terms. Then later Mormon, this is Exodus language too, Helaman 3. In fact, this is, I think, one of the most important uses of both the imagery of Lehi's dream and the Exodus. So Helaman 3:29 and 30. "Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God." You can't lay hold upon a word per se, but you can if It's a rod. Yeah. "Which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a straight and narrow course." There's our way imagery, "A straight and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery, which is prepared to engulf the wicked," like the Egyptians. ]

30 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, [ 7 - just like he has done for use with the Liahona and the light at night. The Lord has done all of these things in the past through revelation - So why would he not continue to do so?] 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. [ And Nephi's summary - and you know that Israel after receiving all of the miracles still rebelled against their leader Moses, and against God. So what makes you so different than them Laman? see vs 45 This is an interesting phrase. I suppose it is used here to teach a principle that will be applied many time in the Book Of Mormon. That is this: before almost every war in the Book of Mormon you will find a phrase something along the lines of they hardened their hearts. Here Nephi is trying to teach an important principle and that is Once a heart is hardened, it will became incapiable of emotional feeling, then that will provide the capablity of all sorts of vile responses including murder and mass destruction. They have disconnected from the light of Christ within them. ]

31 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.

32 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.

33 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.

34 Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.

35 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.

36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.

37 And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked.

38 And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.

39 He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool.

40 And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, [ Covenants would do no good or be of any value with any one else, those who do not love him because they would not keep them, they would not do as he asked them to do. As such they would be under greater condemnation. ] yea, even Abraham, [ What was the covenant that they Lord made with Abraham? a covenant between the lord and abraham which included 1) promise of land 2) promise of prosperity 3) promise of priesthood blessings 4) promise of gospel blessings for all families. ] Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt. [ Because he loves them, because of the sacrifice of their fathers. God may save many a child in the world today as well because of the righteousness of their parents. I think this gives us an idea of the strength of this covenant. Even thought they as a people did not remain faithful to God, he still delivered them from their adversaries. The covenant means that much to him. He knows that he has a group of people that through their lineage, for the most part they are good people, who will come and go, they will come back to him sometimes after they become humble enough. This is different than some groups who all they will do is curse God. Do you see that this is not just a passing thing? To God is has real merit, I think we do not often enough understand that. ]

41 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. [ When ancient Israel got off the mark the Lord repremaned them. So if he did that to ancient Israel then why would he not do it today Laman? The answer is he will. The covenants are only valid when we are following God's command. He wants to be able to continue to bless us. ] 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.

42 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.

43 And now, after all these things, the time has come that they have become wicked, [ I am telling you Laman that Israel has become as bad as they were the last time the Lord punished them and he is going to punish them again.] 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.

44 Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart into the wilderness; [so why is it so hard for you to get it through your thick skull that if the Lord can cause Moses to deliver Israel; why can that same Lord not tell our father to journey into the wilderness for saftey?] 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.

45 Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. [I suppose we all share that iniquity to some extent; as we cannot see all that the Lord really does for us.] 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, [You said earlier that you had ask the Lord but he did not answer you as to the things which our father saw. Well maybe he tried but your where not in a frame of mind to hear?] 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. [But I know that you know that he spoke to you with the voice of thunder when he has commanded you to leave me alone; and the message got through enough that you quit at least for a time. So don't say you don't know the power of God, or that he exists.]

46 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?

47 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.

48 And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words they were angry with me, [as are all natural men when they are called out; especially when they know they are wrong and have no where to turn; and no good words to fight back with] 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.

49 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.

50 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; [If Moses could do it under the direction of God; then I can do it under the direction of God - it is really that simple.] and if I should say it, it would be done.

51 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? [In other words a ship is a small thing in comparison]

52 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.

53 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thine [ Nephi uses the same gesture with his brothers as a sign of what he could do under the power of God, just as Moses parted the red sea with a stretch forth hand (Ex 14:16-18). This is the same power given to Enoch and Melchizedek to divide waters, move mountain's, defeat armies JST Gen 14:25-40. Same gesture used by Jesus when he appeared to the Nephis 3 Ne 11:9-10. ] hand again unto thy brethren, and they shall not wither before thee, but I will shock them, [Where did the term shock come from - electricity and shock did not come until some time after Joseph Smith. Thomas Edison.] saith the Lord, and this will I do, that they may know that I am the Lord their God.

54 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.

55 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, [ know that I did not do this; but God has done this to show his power and that he is with me. I think these guys have spiritual A.D.D.] 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.