Nephi Begins His Story
I, Nephi, was blessed with good parents who taught me everything they knew. My life has been full of hardships, but God has always looked after me. He's shown me his goodness and let me in on his mysteries. So I'm writing down my story. I'm writing in my father's language—a mix of Jewish learning and Egyptian writing. Everything I write here is true. I'm writing it myself, telling it as I know it.
Prophets Warn Jerusalem
It started when Zedekiah became king of Judah. My father, Lehi, had lived in Jerusalem all his life. That year, many prophets came warning the people: 'Change your ways or Jerusalem will be destroyed!' So my father went out and prayed to the Lord with all his heart for his people. While he prayed, a pillar of fire appeared and settled on a rock in front of him. What he saw and heard shook him to his core—he couldn't stop trembling. He went back home to Jerusalem and collapsed on his bed, overwhelmed by the Spirit and everything he'd witnessed.
Lehi’s Vision of Heaven
The Spirit carried him away in a vision. The heavens opened, and he saw God sitting on his throne, surrounded by countless angels singing praises. Then he saw someone coming down from heaven, shining brighter than the sun at noon. Twelve others followed him, glowing brighter than stars.
They came down to earth. The first one stood before my father and handed him a book, telling him to read it. As he read, the Spirit of the Lord filled him. The book's words burned in his mind: 'Jerusalem is doomed! I've seen your terrible deeds!' My father read how the city would be destroyed, many killed by the sword, and survivors dragged away to Babylon. After reading these amazing and terrible things, my father burst out in praise: 'Your works are incredible, Lord God Almighty! You rule from heaven, and your power, goodness, and mercy cover everyone on earth. Because you're merciful, you won't let those who come to you perish!' That's how my father praised God—his soul was celebrating, his heart overflowing with what the Lord had shown him.
I won't write down everything my father recorded. He wrote about many visions and dreams, and many prophecies he shared with his children. Instead, I'll tell my own story. I'm making a shorter version of my father's record on metal plates I made myself. After I finish summarizing his record, I'll write about my own life.
The People Reject Lehi’s Warning
You need to know this: After the Lord showed my father these amazing things about Jerusalem's destruction, he went out among the people and started prophesying, telling them everything he'd seen and heard. The Jews mocked him for what he said. He told them straight about their evil and corruption. He testified that what he saw and heard—and what he read in that book—clearly showed a Messiah would come to save the world. When the Jews heard this, they were furious. Just like they'd thrown out, stoned, and killed the old prophets, they wanted to kill him too. But I'll show you how the Lord's tender mercy protects those he's chosen—those who have faith in him. He gives them the power to escape.