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Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 5
On previous occasions his rebellious brethren had been shaken by the power 0£ the Spirit (1:44;
5:53). This power was so strong that they might have been burned to a crisp. They were
sufficiently convinced so that no one wished to experiment by making a test 0£ God's power.
Nephi admonished them that they should “murmur no more against their father, neither should
they withhold their labor from me" (56). He then declared his faith by saying, "If God had
commanded me to do all things, I could do them” (157). He spoke of the miracles which God had
done in the past and then asked them, "How is it that he can not instruct me that I should build a
ship?” (159).
As a result of Nephi's persuasion and the power of the Holy Spirit manifested through him, "they
were confounded, and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me,
nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days" (160, 161).
A CONVINCING MIRACLE, VER. 163-167
1 Ne 5:163 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me, Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy
brethren, and they shall not wither before thee, but I will shock them, said the Lord; and this will I do
that they may know that I am the Lord their God.
5: 163 God is under no obligation to convince man of His omnipotence. He said to the elders of
the Restoration in 1830, "Require not miracles, except I shall command you" (D. and C. 23: 6a).
When Miriam and Aaron started some gossip against their brother Moses, “the anger of the Lord
was kindled against them, and ...Miriam became leprous" (Num. 12:9, 10).
When Thomas demanded personal, touchable evidence that Jesus had indeed been raised from the
dead, Jesus said to him, "Reach hither thy finger, and ...thy hand ...and be not faithless, but
believing" (John 20:27).
1 Ne 5:164 And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither
before me; but the Lord did shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken.
5:164 Nephi's brothers had such respect for the power which was upon him that Nephi says they
would not "touch me with their fingers," but the Lord directed that Nephi should stretch out his
hand and cause the brethren to shake, so they might know more about the power which was upon
him.
In latter days the Lord promised, "He that trembleth under my power shall be made strong,- .and
shall bring forth fruits of praise, and wisdom" (D. and C. 52:4e). It is good for men to know their
weakness in spiritual things and that there is a force which is outside and beyond their own.
THEY BUILD A SHIP, VER. 168-174
1 Ne 5:171 But I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shewn unto me; wherefore, it was not
after the manner of men.
5: 171 The Lord had commanded the building of the ark in the days of Noah. He told Noah the
kind of wood to use, the overall dimensions, and the arrangement of its cabins or chambers (Gen.