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Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 1
1 Ne 1:3 For it came to pass, in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of
Judah (my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many
prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be
destroyed.
1:3 This was the year 597 B.C. Zedekiah reigned eleven years (II Kings 24:17, 18). The time of
Lehi's departure from Jerusalem is fairly definite. Subsequent history is based on it. Lehi dwelt "at
Jerusalem all his days." References are made to going "down to the land of his inheritance" (1:77,
85) and "up to the city of Jerusalem" (1:67,99, 102, 104). It is apparent that Lehi's home was not in
the city, but at or in the vicinity of it. Alma's reference to Christ being born "at Jerusalem, the land
of our forefathers" (5:19) means in the vicinity (Bethlehem is five miles south).
"In that same year there came many prophets, prophesying ...Jerusalem must be destroyed."
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zephaniah were living about the time of the captivity of Judah and
Jerusalem in 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar (II Kings 24:10; Jer. 34:1; Ezek. 24:2; I Chron. 6: 15).
Doubtless there were other prophets, since the record says "many."
1 Ne 1:5 And it came to pass, as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a
rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard, he did
quake and tremble exceedingly.
1:5 In the exodus from Egypt a pillar of fire (Exod. 14:24) also played a part in protecting the
Israelites.
Being overcome with the Spirit.-lehi had been in touch with God, as he moved about the city, and
the things he saw caused him to tremble. He returned to his home and lay on his bed. Then another
vision was opened before him. He saw God on his throne and a large concourse of angels singing
praises.
1 Ne 1:8 And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that
his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day;
1 Ne 1:9 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars
in the firmament; and they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth;
1:8,9 This doubtless refers to the coming of the Messiah and the twelve apostles. Nephi had a
similar vision (3:73, 113).
1 Ne 1:10 And the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that
he should read.
1:10 So far as known, the book referred to in Lehi's vision was the record from the brass plates. It
was the medium by which Lehi was warned of the calamity which was to befall Jerusalem.
1 Ne 1:12 Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem -- that it should be destroyed,
and the inhabitants thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive
into Babylon.