1 Nephi 2:16-24

Lehi and company have made camp and begun life in the wilderness.  Nephi gives us a brief description of himself.  He says he is “exceedingly young” and “large in stature” (1 Nephi 2:16).  Nephi was probably in his mid-teens at this time, being the youngest son.  This would mean Nephi is in his mid-40’s to early 50’s as he writes this account (see 2 Nephi 5:28-34).

Having heard Lehi’s teachings, he desired to know the truthfulness of his words and to learn about the mysteries of God.  During Christ’s ministry, he taught the mysteries of God through parables.  “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matthew 13:10 - 11). 

By turning to the Lord, and asking him, Nephi would have the mysteries revealed to him.  Paul taught the Ephesians, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3 - 4). 

Nephi cried unto the Lord, asking for knowledge.  “[A]nd behold, he did visit me and did soften my heart” (1 Nephi 2:16).  The Lord has promised us “whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit—“ (D&C 5:16).

Discussing the Lord’s deliverance of Alma₁ and his people from bondage, Alma₂ told the people of Zarahemla, “Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God.  Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated” (Alma 5:7).

His heart having been softened, Nephi received testimony that the words of his father were truly the word of God.  Unlike Laman and Lemuel, Nephi accepted his father’s words and did not rebel against his father.

John Welch explains the importance of Nephi’s experience.

It is significant to me that Nephi specifically says here that he desired "to know of the mysteries of God" (1 Nephi 2:16). While all are invited to seek and all are promised knowledge (1 Nephi 15:8; Matthew 7:7; Moroni 10:4–5), this is not an open invitation for all men and women to seek "mysteries" beyond the declarative words of the prophets. When Nephi said that he desired to know of the "mysteries," he was most likely referring quite precisely to the information that Lehi had just learned through his visions in 1 Nephi 1 … [W]hen Nephi has great desires to "know of the mysteries of God" so shortly after Lehi had experienced the [divine council] sôd, it would appear that Nephi is similarly seeking to know the sôd and the decrees and glories of that council, just as Lehi had known them and as Jeremiah speaks of them. He is blessed with a visit of the Lord and a belief in "all the words" which Lehi had spoken—the words which Lehi had delivered as he had received them from the Lord (1 Nephi 2:16).[1]

The first person Nephi spoke to after this experience was his brother, Sam.  He told him all “things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit” (1 Nephi 2:17).  Sam believed Nephi.  “[I]t appears that Sam has made righteous decisions early in life. This is further confirmed in 1 Nephi 2:16–17, where we read of Nephi's cry ‘unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me.’ Significantly, Nephi first shares this experience with his brother Sam. From this one can deduce a special relationship of trust between these two brothers.”[2]  He also attempted to share with Laman and Lemuel, but they would not listen to his words.

The word of the Lord came to Nephi, telling him that he was blessed because of his faith, diligence, and humility.  The Lord’s next words to Nephi would sum up the Nephite experience recounted in the Book of Mormon, “[I]nasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Nephi 2:20).

As we will see as we go through the Book of Mormon, when the people keep the Lord’s commandments, they are prosperous, experience peace, and are continuously blessed by the Lord.  When they don’t keep the commandments, they suffer famines, wars, lose their riches, etc.  Nephi learned and taught this principle from this time forward.  It would also be taught by the Nephite prophets throughout their history.

Nephi learns that his brother’s posterity will be a part of the Nephite future.  First, we are told that, if Laman and Lemuel rebel against Nephi, they will be cut off from the presence of the Lord.  (When this occurred, Nephi wrote – “Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence” (2 Nephi 5:20).

Preaching to the people of Ammonihah, Alma₂ reminded them of the Lord’s promise and warning made to Nephi.

Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land?  And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have been cut off from the presence of the Lord.  Now we see that the word of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land.

Alma 9:13 - 14

As we will see, Laman and Lemuel will not just be cut off from the Lord.   They will also be cut off from family.  Hugh Nibley explains the consequences of this.  “The family is the basic social organization, civil and religious, with the father at its head. To be without tribe or family is to forfeit one's identity in the earth; nothing is more terrible than to be ‘cut off,’ and that is exactly the fate that is promised Laman and Lemuel if they rebel (1 Nephi 2:21). ‘Within his own country,’ says an Arab proverb, ‘the Bedouin is a lion; outside of it he is a dog.’”[3]

Should Laman and Lemuel not keep the commandments, Nephi will be made a ruler and teacher over them.  If they do rebel, they will be cursed and have no power over the Nephites.

That is, unless the Nephites rebel against God.  Then Laman and Lemuel’s descendants will have power over his people.  They will be “a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance” (1 Nephi 2:24).

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[1] The Calling of Lehi as a Prophet in the World of Jerusalem, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, December 30, 2012.

[2] Notes and Communications: Sam: A Just and Holy Man, Ken Haubrock, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 30, 2012.

[3] Desert Ways and Places, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 30, 2012.