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The year was 600 B.C. in the land of Jerusalem.   Lehi was called as a prophet to warn of the 

destruction of Jerusalem if the people didn’t repent.   The people became angry with Lehi and tried to 

kill him.   The Lord commanded Lehi to take his family and depart into the wilderness.

Lehi and his wife, Sariah, had four sons; Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi.   Nephi was only 16 when his 

family departed but, although he was exceeding young, he was large in stature.   Laman and Lemuel, 

Nephi’s oldest brothers, were rebellious and disobedient.   They often plotted against Nephi.   Nephi 

was obedient and faithful, praying often and receiving many revelations.   Nephi believed his father was 

a prophet and trusted in The Lord.

Lehi and his family traveled three days in the wilderness and pitched their tents in a valley beside a 

river of water which they called Laman.   Lehi made an offering to the Lord and counseled his children.  

Laman and Lemuel murmured against their father.  

Nephi prayed to the Lord.   In response the Lord visited Nephi and confirmed the words of Lehi.   Sam 

listened to and believed Nephi.   Laman and Lemuel would not listen.   The Lord told Nephi that He would 

lead Nephi’s family to a promised land, a land which would be choice above all other lands.   The Lord 

told Nephi that if he would keep the Lord’s commandments, Nephi and his family would prosper in the 

land.   The Lord also told Nephi he would be a ruler and a teacher over his brothers.  

Lehi received a commandment that his sons needed to return to Jerusalem to get the Brass Plates 

from Laban.   The Brass Plated were a record of the Jews and a genealogy of their ancestors.   The 

plates were a very important   record that they would need wherever they went.   Laman and Lemuel 

murmured against Lehi saying it was too hard.   Nephi answered, “I will go and do the things which 

the Lord commandeth for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, 

save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which he commmandeth the.”   The, 

Nephi and his brothers returned to Jerusalem.  

When they got there, they drew lots to see who would go ask Laban.   Laman was chosen.  

Laman went to Laban but Laban became angry and threw Laman out!   Laman ran and told his 

brothers what happened.   Laman and Lemuel prepared to return to the wilderness.   Nephi 

convinced them to try again.   This time, they went back to their house and gathered all the 

gold and silver they had left behind to offer as a trade for the plates.   Again, Laban became 

angry.   He sent his servants to kill them.   They were able to escape with their lives, however, 

they lost all their valuables!

The brothers ran to hide in a cave outside the city.   Laman and Lemuel were so angry 

with Nephi, that they began to hit him with a rod.   As they hit him, an angel of the Lord 

appeared and stopped them.   They angel told them Nephi had been chosen to be a ruler 

over them because of their bad choices and told them to return to Jerusalem again and 

Laban would be delivered into their hands.

Nephi returned to Jerusalem at night.   He found Laban who had fallen down and was drunk.   Nephi saw Laban and his 

sword.   The Spirit told Nephi to kill Laban.   Nephi hesitated because he had never before shed the blood of man.   The 

Spirit told Nephi that it was better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle in unbelief.   Nephi 

did as he was commanded and slew Laban.  

Nephi then put on Laban’s armor and went to the treasury where the Brass Plates were kept.   When Nephi came upon 

Laban’s servant, Zoram, who had the keys to the treasury, Nephi commanded Zoram to open the treasury and Nephi’s 

voice sounded like Laban.   Nephi was able to obtain the plates.   When Nephi came to his brothers, they ran because 

they thought he was Laban. Nephi revealed who he really was and asked Zoram to join them.   Zoram agreed and they 

all set out into the wilderness having accomplished what the Lord had commanded.

Nephi’s parents were exceedingly happy to see them.   Lehi was so happy to obtain the Brass Plates which contained a 

genealogy and a record of the Jews and were of great worth unto them.

Lehi then told them that they had to return AGAIN to Jerusalem to get a man named Ishmael and his 

family so Nephi and his brothers could have wives.   Nephi and his brothers set out again from 

Jerusalem.   Ishmael and his family agreed to come and they began the journey back.   On the way, 

Laman and Lemuel and two of the sons of Ishmael rebelled against Nephi.   Nephi explained what would 

happen if they didn’t obey the Lord.   They became so angry with Nephi that they tied him up and were 

going to leave him to die.   Nephi prayed the Lord would deliver him.   Immediately, the bands were 

loosed.   They were very angry and were going to tie him up again but Ishmael’s wife and daughters 

pleaded with them until their hearts were softened and they released Nephi and asked his 

forgiveness.   The group continued until they reached Lehi.   Nephi was saved, for the second time, by 

the power of God.

While in the wilderness, Lehi had a dream. Lehi dreamed he saw a tree whose fruit was the most delicious and sweet 

fruit he had ever eaten.   He looked around for his family because he wanted to share it with them.   When he looked for 

them, he saw a river.   Sariah, Nephi, and Sam were at the head of the river looking confused about where to go.   Lehi 

waved to them and they came and ate the fruit too.   Lehi looked for Laman and Lemuel.   He saw them but they would not 

come.   Lehi also saw a rod of iron that led to the tree along a path.   He saw a mist of darkness that covered the path. He 

saw many people traveling on the path who were getting lost in the mist – except those who were holding the rod.   He 

saw a great and spacious building across the river that was in the air above the earth. The people in the building were 

mocking the people who were eating the fruit.   Some who had eaten the fruit were embarrassed by the mocking and 

wandered away and got lost.   Others were carried away and drowned in the river.   The only people who were not lost 

were those who made it to the tree and ate of the fruit and did not wander away.  

Later, Nephi had the same vision.   Nephi said the tree represented the love of God, the rod of iron was the word of God, 

and the building was the pride of the world.   In the same vision, Nephi beheld the mortal mission of Jesus Christ.   He 

saw the crucifixion of the Savior, Christ’s visit to the Nephites, the discovery of America, and the restoration of the 

gospel on the earth.   Nephi was overwhelmed by what he had seen.

When Nephi returned to camp, he found his brothers arguing over the meanings of 

some of the teachings of the gospel.   Nephi asked if they had prayed for answers; they 

had not.   Nephi explained to them the things they did not understand.   Laman and 

Lemuel were upset because the things Nephi said were hard for the wicked to hear and 

they were wicked!   To Nephi’s surprise, Laman and Lemuel humbled themselves and 

Nephi had great hope the they would be righteous!

Nephi, his brothers and Zoram married daughters of Ishmael.   One night, the Lord 

spoke Lehi and commanded him to journey on into the wilderness.   In the morning, they 

found a ball of curious workmanship made of fine brass.   Within the ball were spindles 

that directed them which way to go.   The ball was called The Liahona and it not only 

pointed the direction they should travel, it also showed messages to them from time to 

time.   These messages changed with their circumstances and would only work as long as 

they were faithful.

After the group had traveled many days, they stopped and set up camp.   Nephi and his brothers 

went to hunt for food.   During the hunt, Nephi broke his bow.   This was a terrible tragedy 

because, without it, they could not obtain food.   Again, the murmuring against the Lord began.  

Only this time, it wasn’t just Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael; even Lehi joined in!  

Nephi was tired, frustrated, and hungry but he reminded his family that the Lord had always 

provided for them and would continue to help them if they remained faithful.   Then, Nephi made 

a new bow out of wood and asked his father where he should go to find food.   Lehi humbled 

himself before the Lord and asked the Lord where Nephi should go to find food.   The Lord, 

Himself, spoke to Lehi and chastened him.   The Lord told Lehi to look at the Liahona; what Lehi 

saw caused him to tremble with fear.   Nephi followed the directions on the Liahona and found 

food for his family.   Nephi said, “And thus we see that by small means, The Lord can bring about 

great things.”

Nephi’s family continued to journey in the wilderness.   In time, Ishmael died and was buried in a 

place called Nahom.   Ishmael’s family was devastated and began to murmur against Lehi.   Laman 

suggested to Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael that they kill Lehi and Nephi.   However, the Lord 

was with Lehi and Nephi and his voice spoke directly to Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael.  

He chastened them and they repented.   For the third time, Nephi was saved from his brothers!

The group traveled on for many years.   They were blessed and strengthened as they kept the commandments.   Finally, 

they came to a seashore and they called the place Bountiful because it was rich with resources.   At that time, the Lord 

commanded Nephi to build a ship.   The Lord told Nephi He was going to lead the group to the promised land.   Nephi didn’t 

complain at all – he asked the Lord where he could find materials to build a ship.   The Lord directed Nephi and he 

faithfully began.

When Laman and Lemuel found out what Nephi was doing, as usual, they began to mock Nephi and murmur against him.  

They griped and complained and did not want to help.   Nephi was exceedingly sad because of his brother's tauntings 

which delighted them even more.   Finally, Nephi spoke to them with great power about all of the great things that had 

been accomplished by people in times past who had been faithful to the Lord and they were no different.   He reminded 

them of the angels they had seen with their own eyes and the Lord’s voice which had spoken to them like unto thunder!  

He explained how terrible he felt for them because he was afraid they would be lost because they continued to be so 

wicked.

When he finished, Laman and Lemuel were so angry, they tried to throw him into the sea!   However, Nephi told them, in the name 

of Almighty God, not to touch him because he was so filled with the Spirit that whosoever would touch him, would be destroyed. 

He also commanded them to stop complaining and get to work!   Lastly, he told them that the Lord, who had performed many 

mighty miracles, could instruct Nephi to build a ship and that was just what he was going to do!

Nephi’s brothers were dumbfounded and dared not contend with him.   The Lord then told Nephi he could safely touch his 

brothers.   Laman and Lemuel again humbled themselves, fell down before Nephi, and started to worship Nephi.   Nephi told them 

he was just a man and they should not worship him but should rather honor their father and mother and worship the Lord their 

God.

Nephi and his brothers built a ship according to the plans and word of the Lord.   And Nephi did go up into the mountains often 

and prayed unto the Lord and the Lord showed him many great things.   They finished the ship, according to the word of the 

Lord, and saw that it was good, and that the workmanship was exceedingly fine. They humbled themselves again before the Lord.

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