Why did Nephi Write this book?

There are some specific truths that Nephi hoped we would learn by reading this book. His introduction gives a brief overview of his family and their travels and struggles (see the paragraph under the book title, before chapter 1). He wrote that he would show “that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20). He also explained that his purpose was to “write of the things of God” in order to “persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved” (1 Nephi 6:3–4; see also Jacob 1:1–4).



As you read 1 Nephi, therefore, be aware that he is teaching us to come unto Jesus Christ and be saved. He uses the experiences of his family to demonstrate the Lord’s power to save the faithful both in this life and in the life to come.

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Nephi's Language

Sample characters from the Book of Mormon plates

1 Nephi 1:2—In What Language Did Nephi Write on the Plates?

Nephi referred to the “language of my father” and to the “language of the Egyptians.” Toward the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni described his and his father’s writing as “reformed Egyptian” (Mormon 9:32). “It is unknown whether Nephi, Mormon, or Moroni wrote Hebrew in modified Egyptian characters or inscribed their plates in both the Egyptian language and Egyptian characters or whether Nephi wrote in one language and Mormon and Moroni, who lived some nine hundred years later, in another” (in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 1:179).

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Sariah

Sariah was the wife of Lehi, and the mother of Laman, Lemuel, Sam, Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph. She traveled with her husband from Jerusalem, into the wilderness, and eventually, across the ocean to the "promised land" (the Americas). She is perhaps best known for the story in First Nephi where she complains against her husband for sending her sons back to Jerusalem. She becomes convinced that they have perished in the desert, but is overjoyed upon their eventual return.[1] In Lehi's vision of the tree of life, Sariah eats the precious fruit, symbolizing that she is righteous and will be saved

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Lehi

Nephi, Son of Lehi


See also Lehi, Father of Nephi; Nephites

In the Book of Mormon, a righteous son of Lehi and Sariah (1 Ne. 1: 1-4; 2: 5). Nephi had strong faith in the word of God (1 Ne. 3: 7) and became a great prophet, record keeper, and leader of his people. Was obedient and prayed in faith, 1 Ne. 2: 16. Returned to Jerusalem to get the brass plates, 1 Ne. 3-4. Returned to Jerusalem to bring Ishmael’s family into the wilderness, 1 Ne. 7. Received the same vision that Lehi received, 1 Ne. 10: 17-22; 11. Saw in vision the future of his people and the restoration of the gospel, 1 Ne. 12-13. Interpreted the vision of the tree of life, 1 Ne. 15: 21-36. Broke his bow but through faith was able to obtain food, 1 Ne. 16: 18-32. Built a ship and traveled to the promised land, 1 Ne. 17-18. The Nephites and Lamanites separated, 2 Ne. 5. Bore final testimony, 2 Ne. 33.

The book of 1 Nephi: Chapters 1 to 18: 8 deal mostly with the prophet Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem. They traveled through barren deserts until they reached the sea. 1 Nephi 18: 9-23 tells of their voyage to a promised land, as directed by the Lord, despite the rebellion of Laman and Lemuel. Chapters 19-22 tell Nephi’s purpose for keeping records (1 Ne. 6: 1-6; 19: 18)-to persuade all to remember the Lord their Redeemer. He quoted Isaiah (1 Ne. 20-21)and interpreted Isaiah’s messages, with the hope that all might come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer (1 Ne. 22: 12).

The book of 2 Nephi: Chapters 1-4 contain some of Lehi’s final teachings and prophecies before his death, including blessings on his sons and their descendants. Chapter 5 explains why the Nephites separated themselves from the Lamanites. The Nephites built a temple, taught the law of Moses, and kept records. Chapters 6-10 contain the words of Jacob, Nephi’s younger brother. Jacob reviewed the history of Judah and prophesied of the Messiah, some of which was taken from the writings of the prophet Isaiah. In chapters 11-33 Nephi recorded his testimony of Christ, Jacob’s testimony, prophecies of the last days, and several chapters from the Old Testament book of Isaiah.

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