Lehi Blesses His Grandchildren
I, Nephi, will talk about what my father said about Joseph. Joseph was the one who was taken to Egypt. Joseph told the truth about all his children and grandchildren. The things he wrote are some of the best. He told about us and our future children. His words are written on the brass plates.
After my father finished talking about Joseph’s words, he called Laman’s children to come to him. He said to them: My sons and daughters, I want you to listen to me. The Lord God has said that if you obey his commands, you will do well in this land. But if you don’t obey his commands, he will cut you off from him. My sons and daughters, I can’t die without giving you a blessing. I know that if you are raised the right way, you won’t leave it. So if you are cursed, I leave my blessing on you. This will take away the curse from you and put it on your parents instead. Because of my blessing, the Lord God won’t let you die out. He will be kind to you and your children forever.
After my father finished speaking to Laman’s children, he called Lemuel’s children to come to him. He said to them: My sons and daughters, I give you the same blessing I gave to Laman’s children. You won’t be completely destroyed. In the end, your children will be blessed.
When my father finished speaking to them, he spoke to Ishmael’s sons and everyone in his family.
After that, he spoke to Sam. He said: God blesses you and your children. You will get land just like your brother Nephi. Your children will be counted with his children. You will be just like your brother. Your children will be like his children. You will be blessed all your life.
Lehi Dies
After Lehi spoke to everyone in his family, he grew old and died. They buried him.
Not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael’s sons were angry with me. They were mad because of what the Lord told them. The Spirit led me to speak God’s word to them. I had said many things to them. My father also said many things to them before he died. Many of his words are written on my other plates. Most of the history is written on my other plates.
Nephi’s Psalm
On these plates, I write what is in my soul. I also write many scriptures from the brass plates. I love the scriptures. I think about them and write them down so my children can learn from them. I love the things of the Lord. I keep thinking about the things I have seen and heard.
But even though the Lord has shown me his great and wonderful works, my heart cries out: I am a terrible person! My heart is sad because of my body. I feel bad because of my sins. I am surrounded by temptations and sins that trap me so easily. When I want to be happy, my heart hurts because of my sins. But I know who I trust.
God Has Helped Me
My God has been my support. He has led me through hard times in the wilderness. He has kept me safe on the ocean. He has filled me with his love so much that it has worn out my body. He has confused my enemies and made them shake with fear. He has heard me cry during the day. He has given me knowledge through dreams at night. During the day I prayed boldly to him. I raised my voice to him. Angels came down and helped me. His Spirit carried my body away to very high mountains. I saw great things that were too big for any person. That’s why I was told not to write them down.
Why Should I Be Sad?
If I have seen such great things, and if the Lord has been so kind to people, why should my heart cry? Why should I feel sad? Why should my body waste away and my strength get weak because of my hard times? Why should I give in to sin because of my body? Why should I let temptations give the evil one a place in my heart to destroy my peace and hurt my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemies?
Wake up, my soul! Stop falling into sin. Be happy, my heart! Don’t give the enemy of my soul any more room. Don’t be angry again because of my enemies. Don’t let my strength get weak because of my hard times.
Nephi’s Prayer
Be happy, my heart! Cry out to the Lord and say: O Lord, I will praise you forever! I will be happy in you, my God. You are the rock that saves me. O Lord, will you save my soul? Will you rescue me from my enemies? Will you make me shake when I see sin? May the gates of hell stay shut before me, because my heart is broken and my spirit is humble. O Lord, don’t shut the gates of your goodness before me. Let me walk in the low valley. Let me stay on the straight road. O Lord, will you wrap me in your goodness? O Lord, will you make a way for me to escape from my enemies? Will you make my path straight? Please don’t put anything in my way to trip me. Clear my way and block my enemies’ ways instead. O Lord, I have trusted in you. I will trust in you forever. I will not trust in people’s strength. I know that anyone who trusts in people’s strength is cursed. Anyone who trusts in people or makes people his strength is cursed. I know that God will give a lot to anyone who asks. My God will give me what I need if I ask the right way. So I will pray to you. I will cry out to you, my God. You are the rock of my goodness. My voice will always go up to you, my rock and my everlasting God. Amen.