BOM and Faith 2 Nephi 5

After Lehi’s death, Laman and Lemuel were fed up with Nephi. “Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words” (2 Nephi 5:3). They never learned their lack of faith and commitment to the Lord was responsible for their situation. It was easier to blame someone else for all their problems.

Nephi was warned to take his family, as well as Zoram, Sam, Jacob, and Joseph and their families. We learn that, in addition to have brothers, Nephi had sisters. They departed with Nephi. He took anyone willing to go with him and fled his brothers.

After a journey of many days, they found a place to pitch their tents. Their land was called Nephi and those in the group were called the people of Nephi.

They began to cultivate and prosper in the land. They raised flocks and had herds of animals “of every king” (2 Nephi 5:11). 

Nephi also took the plates of brass, the Liahona, and the sword of Laban. The Lamanites would claim these were stolen from their fathers throughout Book of Mormon history.

Using the sword of Laban as a model, Nephi made swords for his people. The Lamanites made their hatred for Nephi and his people clear. The Nephites had to be prepared for a Lamanite attack.

The built buildings and worked with wood, iron, copper, brass, steel, gold, silver, and precious ores.

Nephi’s faith required him to build a temple, built after the manner of Solomon’s temple (2 Nephi 5:16).

The people wanted to make Nephi king, but he refused.

Nephi writes the words of the Lord had been fulfilled concerning Laman and Lemuel. Because of their lack of faith, as well as their wickedness, Nephi became a ruler and teacher.

The words of the Lord had also been fulfilled in that the Lamanites were cut off from the Lord and became a cursed people.

What was this curse? They became a loathsome people. They became an idle people. They also became a scourge to Nephi’s people when the failed to obey the Lord. (2 Nephi 5:22, 24-25).

We also read a skin of blackness came upon them. This was not part of the curse. We don’t know what Nephi meant by this.

Nephi consecrated Jacob and Joseph to be priests and teacher of his people.

We also learn that Nephi began making the small plates at this time. He was commanded by the Lord to “[m]ake Make other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight, for the profit of thy people” (2 Nephi 5:30).