The First Book of Nephi

1 Nephi 1

I am Nephi. Like my father, Lehi, I was born and raised in Jerusalem by caring parents. Like my father I was also educated to read and write, and learned the history of the Jewish people. My life has been filled with trials, but I have always been graced by God of whom I have learned much, and about whom I have much to tell. Here I begin an historical account of my life, written in the Egyptian language and inscribed on metal plates that I’ve made with my own hands.

During my childhood, a new king of Judah named Zedekiah came to power in Jerusalem. In the first year of his reign, many prophets came to Jerusalem, warning the people to repent or our great city would be destroyed. [600 BC]

Hearing these prophecies, my father Lehi was greatly troubled for his family and friends. He went into the desert to seek guidance through prayer to God. While in prayer, he had a vision in which a pillar of fire appeared on a rock in front of him. He was shown and told many disturbing and astonishing things. Lehi was so overwhelmed and stunned by what he had seen and heard that he returned to his home and lay down on his bed to recover. He was then carried away in yet another vision, in which he saw the heavens open and witnessed God himself sitting on a throne surrounded by countless angels singing their praise to God.

He saw a single man, as bright as the sun, descend from heaven. Behind him were twelve others, whose bodies shone like stars, who came and stood before him. The leader gave my father a book and commanded him to read it. As he read, Lehi was filled with God’s spirit.

The book confirmed the prophets’ warnings that Jerusalem was doomed for the sinful and evil ways of its people. Jerusalem was to be invaded by an army and destroyed. Many would die fighting, and many more would be taken away to Babylon as slaves. Lehi saw and read about many other amazing and marvelous things, and he proclaimed the greatness of God. He had seen that those who obeyed God would receive his mercy, be saved, and not perish as was foretold. Lehi rejoiced in the salvation that God had shown to him.

Following and trusting in this vision, Lehi went out to warn the Jews of Jerusalem about what he’d seen and heard. He told them about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, about the coming Messiah, and of God’s mercy to those who obeyed Him. Rather than listening to his warnings, the people ridiculed and attacked Lehi instead. They threatened him with death, instead of acknowledging him and changing their evil ways. Many prophets before him had been cast out and killed, they pointed out, for displeasing the people. But Lehi knew that God protected and delivered the people he chose, and made them mighty.