Lehi’s Final Blessings
Now let me tell you about the prophecies my father shared—the ones about Joseph who was taken to Egypt. Joseph truly prophesied about all his descendants. The prophecies he wrote are among the greatest we have. He prophesied about us and our future generations, and they’re all written on the brass plates.
After my father finished speaking about Joseph’s prophecies, he called Laman’s children—his sons and daughters—before him. He said to them, “Listen carefully, children and grandchildren of my firstborn. The Lord God has promised: If you keep my commandments, you’ll thrive in this land. But if you refuse to keep them, you’ll be cut off from my presence.“ I can’t go to my grave without leaving a blessing on you. I know that if you’re raised in the right way, you won’t turn from it. “So if you’re cursed, I’m leaving my blessing on you—that the curse may be lifted from you and fall instead on your parents. Because of my blessing, the Lord God won’t let you be destroyed. He will be merciful to you and your children forever.”
After my father finished speaking to Laman’s children, he had Lemuel’s sons and daughters brought before him. He spoke to them: “Listen, children and grandchildren of my second son. I’m giving you the same blessing I gave to Laman’s children. You won’t be completely destroyed. In the end, your descendants will be blessed.”
When he finished speaking to them, he spoke to Ishmael’s sons—in fact, to Ishmael’s entire household.
After that, he spoke to Sam: “You and your children are blessed. You’ll inherit the land just like your brother Nephi. Your descendants will be counted with his. You’ll be just like your brother, and your family line will be like his. You’ll be blessed all your days.”
After Lehi had spoken to everyone in his household—speaking from his heart and the Spirit of the Lord within him—he grew old. And then he died and was buried.
Brothers Turn Against Nephi
Not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael’s sons were angry with me because of the Lord’s warnings. I had to speak to them according to God’s word. I’d said many things to them, and so had my father before his death. Many of those things are written on my other plates—the ones with more historical detail.
Nephi’s Soul: A Psalm of Struggle and Trust
On these plates, I’m writing what matters to my soul and many of the scriptures engraved on the brass plates. I love the scriptures. My heart ponders them constantly, and I write them down so my children can learn and benefit. My soul delights in the things of the Lord. My heart never stops thinking about what I’ve seen and heard.
Yet even with all the Lord’s goodness—even after he’s shown me his great and marvelous works—my heart cries out, “What a wretched man I am!” My heart aches because of my mortal weaknesses. My soul grieves because of my sins. I’m surrounded by temptations and sins that trap me so easily. When I want to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins. Still, I know who I’ve trusted.
My God has been my support. He led me through troubles in the wilderness. He kept me safe on the open ocean. He’s filled me with his love—so much it consumes my whole being. He’s confused my enemies and made them tremble before me. He’s heard my cries during the day, and he’s given me knowledge through visions at night. During the day I’ve prayed boldly and passionately before him. I’ve lifted my voice on high, and angels came down and ministered to me. On the wings of his Spirit, my body has been carried to incredibly high mountains. I’ve seen great things—things too great for anyone to see. That’s why I was told not to write them down.
So then—if I’ve seen such great things, if the Lord in his mercy has visited people with such compassion, why should my heart weep? Why should my soul linger in this valley of sorrow? Why should my body waste away and my strength fade because of my troubles? Why should I give in to sin because of my mortal weakness? Why should I let temptations in, giving the evil one a foothold in my heart to destroy my peace and torment my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemies?
Wake up, my soul! Stop sinking into sin. Rejoice, my heart, and don’t give the enemy of my soul any more ground. Don’t get angry again because of my enemies. Don’t let my strength fade because of my troubles.
Rejoice, my heart, and cry out to the Lord: “Lord, I will praise you forever! My soul will rejoice in you, my God, the rock of my salvation. Lord, will you redeem my soul? Will you rescue me from the hands of my enemies? Will you help me tremble at the very sight of sin? May the gates of hell stay shut before me because my heart is broken and my spirit is humble. Lord, don’t shut the gates of your righteousness before me. Let me walk in the humble valley. Let me stay on the plain road. Lord, will you wrap me in the robe of your righteousness? Will you make a way for me to escape my enemies? Will you make my path straight? Don’t put a stumbling block in my way—instead, clear my path and block the way of my enemy. Lord, I’ve trusted in you, and I will trust in you forever. I won’t put my trust in human strength, because I know that anyone who trusts in human strength is cursed. Cursed is the one who trusts in people or makes mortal power his support. I know that God gives generously to anyone who asks. My God will give to me if I ask with right motives. So I will lift my voice to you. I will cry out to you, my God, the rock of my righteousness. My voice will rise up to you forever, my rock and my everlasting God. Amen.”