1 Nephi 3:22

"And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God."

After persuading his brothers to keep trying to obtain the plates they go back to their home in Jerusalem and gathered their silver, gold, and worldly wealth. This hopefully in trade for the brass plates. The brass plates would hold more in worth in the way of spiritual and historical knowledge, such as genealogy and the words and the prophecies of prophets. It's like comparing a set of scripture to gold bullion. Some would choose the gold over the greater wealth of knowledge. Gold cannot be taken with us after this life, but knowledge is eternal. The gold, silver, and worldly wealth would have been worth more in monetary style.

#Gloss

Nephi, finish convince brother++ try continue get metal book. Back home gather silver, gold, and money. Hope make trade get metal book can. Metal book have more spirit and history know, like family tree, genealogy words and prophesy from prophet. Compare scripture with gold brick. Some people choose gold, not scripture. Gold with us happen die? Can't. Know things forever can. Money from Nephi and Brother++ cost more than metal book money.

1 Nephi 3:21

"And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God."

Laman and Lemuel probably still grumbled and complained, but I can imagine Sam supporting Nephi and wanting to do all he could to follow the will of the Lord.

Nephi mentions later that his is more skill in speech than that of his writing. To have the skills to speak and convince two rebellious brothers to doing something they don't want to is pretty amazing. By the added strength of the spirit behind the words Nephi was better able to pierce his brothers' hearts enough to have them obey, if not the spirit of the law, then the letter of the law.

#Gloss
Laman, Lemuel complain maybe still. But imagine Sam support Nephi same, want same do all can serve follow Lord His will, obey commandments from God.

Nephi say later his skill, where? Speak not write. Have skill speak persuade rebel brother+ do thing themself+ don't want amazing. Add strength from Spirit Nephi touch heart can. Help obey Commandment if not willing, then little force.

1 Nephi 3:20

"And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time."

Not only did the plates contain the geneology of Lehi they also held the prophecies of the prophets from the beginning of time to the time of Lehi and Nephi. The desire of Lehi and Nephi was to preserve the words of the prophets as well as understand and share them.

As stated before we know that the words of the prophets was uncorrupted because of God's foresight in obtaining the plates. The words from the very beginning of the earth's time would be saved and used to help teach the children of this nation, helping them to understand God's ways better and to be available when God deemed the time right for the last days, which we now live in.

#Gloss

book metal have genealogy same have prophesy from prophet past. start time upto now. Lehi, Nephi want plate why? save word understand share same can.

Same say before word from Prophet change not, why? God see future can get book metal need. Word save from start and use how? Teach children country here, help understand God His way better can. Can have time right God finish decide, When? Now time us live. Finish.

1 Nephi 3:19

¨And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers;¨

Because God knows all everything we are asked to do by Him is for a great purpose we may not know now. Nephi understood the necessity of obtaining the plates to help preserve the language of their fathers and pass down the information on the plates from generation to generation. And by obtaining the records it would preserve them from the destruction of Jerusalem. 

The records then could be used to keep the language unchanged and the words of the prophets from long a ago safe from corruption. This would help teach generations to come and do so much more as we know and understand better here in this day and time. 

#Gloss

Reason, God know all thing. Everything Himself finish ask us do mean important us maybe not understand or know now. Nephi finish understand need get metal book save language past father and generation++ recieve can. get metal book avoid destroy J-city can. 

Metal book use how? save language same++ word from prophet past save change can. Help teach children future do more, understand now can. 

1 Nephi 3:18

¨For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophets. Wherefore, if my father should dwell in the land after he hath been commanded to flee out of the land, behold, he would also perish. Wherefore, it must needs be that he flee out of the land."

Unlike the people of Nineva, who heeded the voice of Jonah, the prophet, and repented of their sins and became righteous, the people of Jerusalem rejected the call of repentance. The evil planted in their hearts led up tot the need of Lehi to flee the land for safety.  By fleeing our of Jerusalem Lehi's life was spared and also that of his family. If Lehi had ignored the warning of God, then the tender mercies of the Lord would not take effect and Lehi would have been in Jerusalem when it was destroyed. 

#Gloss

same not people NINEVA listen finish voice Jonah, himself prophet, repent sins finish become right do people J-city rebel repent. Evil finish inside heart lead need Lehi himself leave land for-for? Safe. Happen leave J-city Lehi life save can same family save. If Lehi ignore Lord, His warn mercy not happen. Lehi stay J-city happen city itself destroy. Finish. 

1 Nephi 3:17

"For he knew that Jerusalem must be destroyed, because of the wickedness of the people."

Because Lehi was obedient in following the Lord he was warned of the danger and immanent destruction of Jerusalem because of the wickedness of the people. Much like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and even the humbling of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses.

It is an extreme level of wickedness with which the Lord must destroy the city or the area to keep the evil from flooding the earth in it's entirety. The Lord protects His people and if it means the destruction of one person or a nation then, with warning, it will be carried out if not repent of their wicked ways. Even if, in Sodom and Gomorrah, one person would either repent or was righteous then the Lord would have spared the cities. It's because of this wickedness it was ultimately destroyed.

#Gloss

Lehi self obey Lord Lehi warn danger destroy Jerusalem. People there evil sin. Same destroy city #Sodom, #Gomorrah and same Isreal group, them become humble, leader self Moses.

Wicked high need Lord destroy city or place. Protect world cover evil. Lord protect people mean destroy person or country. Himself warn then happen if not repent. If city #Sodom #Gomorrah 1 person repent or right do city save will, but none have. Reason that evil city destroy finish.

1 Nephi 3:16

"Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; therefore let us go down to the land of our father's inheritance, for behold he left gold and silver, and all manner of riches. And all this he hath done because of the commandments of the Lord."

The Lord knows everything. By having Lehi leave behind his worldly wealth He provided a way for a trade for the brass plates. Interesting that beyond the need to travel lighter the thing about leaving the wealth did, in fact, give them a way that a trade could be possible. This probably didn't even occur to them and they packed up to leave. Nephi was probably prompted by the spirit to think of the trade. By following the commandments of the Lord are His followers blessed.

#Gloss

Lord self know everything. Reason Lehi leave rich, gold, silver, things. Lord give way trade can. interesting. need travel not heavy with gold, silver, yes but also Lord knew best way, trade can. Thought happen not same time pack leave. Nephi prompt maybe spirit think trade. Happen follow commandment from Lord His follow-person bless will.

1 Nephi 3:15

"But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us." 

The oath that Nephi used is a life or death strength oath. by making this promise Nephi states that he would die trying before he would go back to the camp of Lehi. Not only is this oath for getting the brass plates, it's also for each commandment God would give them. By saying, "the thing which the Lord hath command us." He promises to die trying to follow the will of God. Nephi was a dedicated servant of the Lord.

We are told that if we were to have faith like unto a seed of mustard we could do anything. Nephi shows his faith by refusing to give up saying, "This is too hard for me." He doesn't whine or complain. he just keeps trying and trusting in the Lord to be his strength. This reminds me of a quote from Arza in Ephraim's Rescue saying, "Brother Brigham sent me to find these saints. And I'll find them or give my life trying." The Martin Handcart company was struggling through heavy winter times, and there was a call for able bodied men to help them. With this promise showing the faith of this man he was able to find them as well as give them the aid they needed.


#Gloss

Promise Nephi use mean life death compare. make promise Nephi say self die before giveup go back father came. promise only for metal book? no, all commandments. self promis die try obey commandment from God. Nephi diligent servant Lord.

we finish informed if have faith same seed #mustard we do anything can. Nephi show faith give up refuse. self not complain. try+ trust Lord for strong. Remind me quote from movie #Ephraims Rescue Arza self say "brother Brigham Young sen me find saint. find will, or die try." #Martin #Co trial winter cold snow much. all men self++ call help. Promise show faith of Arza self able find saint can sametime give help need.

1 Nephi 3:14

"But Laman fled our of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness."

Laman, when he was threatened, quickly left the dangerous situation. He returned to his brothers and tells them what happened. They feel sorrow for the failed attempt, but they don't let it get them down. Or at least Nephi doesn't.

Every person has a time when they struggle with something. Here, Laman fails and is frustrated by it, while the other three are sad that they have yet to succeed, but like Nephi we can keep trying our best to succeed. Every scripture can be applied to our lives if we search for truth and understanding. These words are written for our day, here and now.

#Gloss

Laman, happen danger situation have, leave fast. Himself #sk brothers+ inform happen. three feel sad try and fail, but not discourage. Nephi not stop.

Each person+ have time self trial something. Laman fail frustrate three other sad success (pah) have not yet. scripture apply life can, how? we read search truth understand. Scripture word for-for? our day. right now.

1 Nephi 3: 13

"And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee." 

Laban, having the responsibility of keeping the records, would lose a lot of his position in the eyes of the people if he for some reason or other lost the records. This request being an extreme and very unreasonable in many ways would make anyone in this position angry. But Laban goes beyond the necessary by threatening to kill Laman. Proving Laban's wickedness was pretty far along the scale.

#Gloss

Laban, himself responsibility have hold care for book. Himself loose respect if happen book disappear. Laman ask for book whew, crazy. Laban silly mad. he danger kill Laman. Laban sin bad dirty spirit have. 

1 Nephi 3:12

"And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father." 

After a short period of time Laman asked for the plates, explaining the reasoning of wanting them for the genealogy of Lehi. But failing to mention anything about being commanded by God. Not that Laban would have listened, he being a wicked man also. Which is funny. In doing the errand of the Lord neither of the men mentioned in this verse are followers of God in any sense of the words.

#Gloss

Time pass Laman ask plates have can? Explain want why? for generation of Lehi. But say none about God Himself send Laman get plates. Laban listen if talk about God really? No. Funny, Both men in verse doing command of Lord, none true-biz follow Lord. 

1 Nephi 3:11

"And we cast lots- who of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house." 

This is apparently a pretty common way of choosing a person fro a specific assignment. The lots fell on Laman and he had the responsibility to go to Laban's house and ask for the plates. So, Laman went to Laban's house and tried to ease the question by talking to Laban before asking for the plates. This is pretty smart, talking to one and getting to know them is the best way of asking for something that seems not to be easy to obtain any other way.

#Gloss

Throw lot often use long ago. Laman himself choose go house Laban. Need obtain plate, book from Laban. Laman himself go house and chat. get know Laban before need ask for book. Smart, talk person before ask need thing maybe hard receive. 

1 Nephi 3:10

"And it came to pass that when we had gone up tot he land of Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another." 

After three days of traveling the four brothers got together and talked about how they were going to get the plates from Laban. As said before this would be a daunting task and would take a lot of courage. So, they probably came up with several approaches to get the plates. This would have been a terrifying task, yet Sam and Nephi were the only two really willing to be there in the first place. Laman and Lemuel were less likely to want to try anything beyond the normal level of activity. They have proved their loyalty before with murmuring words against their father and the words of the Lord.

#Gloss

Nephi brother++ arrive, travel three day fsh. Happen they together talk, plan receive plate how? Try get plates scary why? Laban top man. courage True-biz need. Brother+++ plan many thing probably. Sam Nephi want work follow Lord, Laman, Lemuel not. Laman, Lemuel try hard not, they before show follow how much? They complain, not listen father or Lord His word. 

1 Nephi 3:9

"And I, Nephi, and my brethren took our journey in the wilderness, with our tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem."

Here, I am pretty sure it took Nephi, Sam, and Lehi to convince Laman and Lemuel to be obedient. Finally, they packed up what they needed and traveled three days back to Jerusalem. The travel alone would have been tiring, but imagine having two brothers complaining the whole way as well. It was probably very hard, not to mention the fact that it did take them three days to go down to the wilderness, it would have taken them just as long to go back to Jerusalem.

#Gloss

Myself think much work need convince Laman, Lemuel obey God must. Pah, success themself pack. Travel three day J-city. Travel hard include brother+ complain+ whole time same. Tru-biz hard three day travel hard arrive wilderness, three day #SK J-city need. Wow.

1 Nephi 3:8

"And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord." 

Lehi was overjoyed that Nephi would hearken and listen to the Lord and to His will. He recognized in Nephi a faithful follower of God, a man willing to do all he was commanded. The blessings of God lay on Nephi, giving him the strength needed to follow and do all that was asked. Here we see all we can become if we follow the Lord diligently. We can become like Nephi and find faith to follow and endure to the end.

#Gloss
Lehi happy, why? Nephi listen Lord will. Lehi see Nephi, himself, faithful follow God. Willing do thing CL:list God inform command.God His blessing give, who? Nephi, give strong need follow fsh thing ask do. We become same Nephi can. How follow God eager. We endure end can.

1 Nephi 3:7

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 

My personal favorite scripture, because of the willingness of Nephi to do whatever he was asked by the Lord to accomplish. Nephi helps us to see here that with every commandment ever given there is a way to succeed. Much like a loving earthly father who asks his child to do something, he helps give them a way the child can. Heavenly Father does too, even though sometimes the way does not seem like the way we could want to go. There is a way for all commandments to be accomplished.

There is a well known proverb that is, "There is an easy way and a Right way." As we look at ourselves ask, "do I want the easy way or the right way?" Each way may get us to the destination, yet only one really helps us become a stronger person. This is the Lord's way. He wants us to be stronger and better. And He gives a way that we can do just that. Amazing, isn't it? We are so loved  ass to know the way and be helped to succeed."

#Gloss
My prefer scripture, why? Nephi himself willing thing from God do. Nephi help us see and do thing understand we need do. Same dad here earth ask do thing, he help us pah, succeed. Heavenly Father same commandment from Him we do can.

We know one way right, one way easy. Easy and right go same place, but one not help strong. Other help strong. Lord His way right. We accomplish pah, can. Whew. Us loved by God and know way right and good pah, succeed can. 

1 Nephi 3:6

"Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured."

Nephi, having previously decided to follow the Lord, did not complain about he commandments he was asked to complete. He was wan example then and now of what all faithful followers should do. Because of  his willingness to do what he was commanded he was greatly blessed.

#Gloss

Nephi, himself decide before follow God will. Himself complain not. Cl:things from God do must will. Himself example past now. All follow God see How? from Nephi. He touch-fsh do command himself bless.

1 Nephi 3:5

"And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord."

Laman and Lemuel, being their usual selves, complain and grown about the task.  They still are under the impression it's Lehi telling them to do the things commanded. When in fact it is the Lord, god who tell them to do these things. Lehi recognized the importance of keeping the commandments of the Lord and so by doing was blessed to continue to receive revelations.

#Gloss

Laman, Lemuel themself same stubborn, complain about #Job. them believe Lehi himself command, not God. Lehi understand keep commandments need. For-for? blessing receive can. Revelation continue can. 

1 Nephi 3:4

"Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness." 

The Lord knew the importance of the records and commanded Lehi's sons to get them and bring them back to be preserved for later generations. The way to get the plates was not revealed, so this became a huge trial of faith. They had to totally rely on the Lord for a way to obtain the plates.

#Gloss

Lord Himself know plates important, whew, Lehi his sons get plates need. Why? Save for generation. Get plates how? Don't know. Trial itself depend what? Faith. Them rely Lord whole need. 

1 Nephi 3:3

"For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass." 

The Lord informs Lehi about the brass plates, basically a book, that hold both historical records, such as genealogy, and spiritual records from prophets like Isaiah, and others. Laban, being a high member of the people held the records and had ownership of them. It would be like going to a judge of a court and asking for recent trails and all of the details of them. It's a daunting prospect, even impossible in some cases.

#Gloss 

Lord Himself Lehi inform about what? brass plate same book, has thing history and spirit. From prophets same #Isaiah, progress. Laban high person, had plates own them. Same ask judge himself for-for? trial detail have can? think scary, sometime forbidden.