Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 1
1:34 The Hebrews used either earth or unhewn stones for altars (Exod. 20:25; Gen. 28:16-18).
LAMAN AND LEMUEL MURMUR, VER. 36-46
1 Ne 1:44 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power,
being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him.
1 Ne 1:45 And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore they did as he
commanded them.
1:44, 45 Doubtless he rebuked them for their harshness and un- belief. Because of the power by
which Lehi spoke, they did as he directed. Nephi also experienced this same power and
confounded his rebellious brothers (1 N. 5:152-155).
1 Ne 1:46 And my father dwelt in a tent.
1:46 While Lehi and his family dwelt in a house (1:29) in Jerusalem, they prepared for Bedouin
type life after their departure. Most of the dwellers of the Arab world used tents and moved about
as they pleased. This practice was to continue with the Lehites the ten years they traveled in the
wilderness and while they were building their ship to cross the ocean to America. Tent dwelling
continued many years after they landed in the “promised land." (See 2:92; 5:65; II N. 10:20; Mos.
1:33; A. 1:76; E. 1:37.)
NEPHI AND SAM BELIEVE, VER. 47-58
1 Ne 1:47 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless being large in stature,
and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God,
1:47 This was unusual for a young man. Nephi was destined to perform a task which required that
he know the mind and ways of the Lord. The success of the journey as well as the salvation of the
people were to depend on the spiritual insight and godly character of Nephi.
1 Ne 1:48 Wherefore I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I
did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore I did not rebel against him like
unto my brothers.
1:48 Nephi's prayers primarily were not for God to change his brothers' attitude. He gave God
permission to enter his own heart. As a result he had faith in the prophecies given by his father.
1 Ne 1:49 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested
unto me by his Holy Spirit.
1 Ne 1:50 And it came to pass that he believed in my words;