Lehi’S Family Journeys to Bountiful

Event 13

Reference: 1 Ne. 16:9-39; 17:1-5

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake untomy father by night, and commanded him that on themorrow he should take his journey into the wilderness.NephiValley of Lemuelnear Red Sea600 to 593 B.C.10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in themorning, and went forth to the tent door, to his greatastonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball ofcurious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And withinthe ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the waywhither we should go into the wilderness.11 And it came to pass that we did gather togetherwhatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, andall the remainder of our provisions which the Lord hadgiven unto us; and we did take seed of every kind that wemight carry into the wilderness.12 And it came to pass that we did take our tents and departinto the wilderness, across the river Laman.Wilderness southof river Laman13 And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of fourdays, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitchour tents again; and we did call the name of the placeShazer.Shazer14 And it came to pass that we did take our bows and ourarrows, and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for ourfamilies; and after we had slain food for our families we didreturn again to our families in the wilderness, to the place ofShazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness,following the same direction, keeping in the most fertileparts of the wilderness, which were in the borders near theRed Sea.Wilderness nearShazer15 And it came to pass that we did travel for the space ofmany days, slaying food by the way, with our bows and ourarrows and our stones and our slings. 16 And we did followthe directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertileparts of the wilderness. 17 And after we had traveled for thespace of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space ofa time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain foodfor our families.Fertile parts ofwilderness 18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slayfood, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of finesteel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethrenwere angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for wedid obtain no food.NephiFertile parts ofwilderness600 to 593 B.C.19 And it came to pass that we did return without food toour families, and being much fatigued, because of theirjourneying, they did suffer much for the want of food.20 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sonsof Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because oftheir sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and alsomy father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea,and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they didmurmur against the Lord.21 Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflictedwith my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and theirbows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedinglydifficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food.22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much untomy brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again,even unto complaining against the Lord their God.23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood abow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I didarm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and withstones. And I said unto my father:Whither shall I go to obtain food?24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, forthey had humbled themselves because of my words; for Idid say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came untomy father; and he was truly chastened because of hismurmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was broughtdown into the depths of sorrow.26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said untohim:Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.The Lord 27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld thethings which were written upon the ball, he did fear andtremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons ofIshmael and our wives.NephiFertile parts ofwilderness600 to 593 B.C.28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointerswhich were in the ball, that they did work according to thefaith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.29 And there was also written upon them a new writing,which was plain to be read, which did give usunderstanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it waswritten and changed from time to time, according to thefaith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we seethat by small means the Lord can bring about great things.30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into thetop of the mountain, according to the directions which weregiven upon the ball.Mountain nearfertile parts ofwilderness31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuchthat I did obtain food for our families.32 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearingthe beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld thatI had obtained food, how great was their joy!Fertile parts ofwildernessAnd it came to pass that they did humble themselves beforethe Lord, and did give thanks unto him.33 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey,traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; andafter we had traveled for the space of many days we didpitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of atime.34 And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried inthe place which was called Nahom.Nahom35 And it came to pass that the daughters of Ishmael didmourn exceedingly, because of the loss of their father, andbecause of their afflictions in the wilderness; and they didmurmur against my father, because he had brought them outof the land of Jerusalem, saying:Our father is dead; yea, and we have wandered much in thewilderness, and we have suffered much affliction, hunger, thirst,and fatigue; and after all these sufferings we must perish in thewilderness with hunger.Ishmael’sDaughters 36 And thus they did murmur against my father, and alsoagainst me; and they were desirous to return again toJerusalem. 37 And Laman said unto Lemuel and also untothe sons of Ishmael:NephiNahom600 to 593 B.C.Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who hastaken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elderbrethren. 38 Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him, andalso that angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we knowthat he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he workethmany things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes,thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away into some strangewilderness; and after he has led us away, he has thought to makehimself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with usaccording to his will and pleasure.LamanAnd after this manner did my brother Laman stir up theirhearts to anger.Nephi39 And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, eventhe voice of the Lord came and did speak many words untothem, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after theywere chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn awaytheir anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that theLord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.1 AND it came to pass that we did again take our journey inthe wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from thattime forth. And we did travel and wade through muchaffliction in the wilderness; and our women did bearchildren in the wilderness. 2 And so great were the blessingsof the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meatin the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck fortheir children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men;and they began to bear their journeyings withoutmurmurings. 3 And thus we see that the commandments ofGod must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children ofmen keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them,and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they canaccomplish the thing which he has commanded them;wherefore, he did provide means for us while we didsojourn in the wilderness. 4 And we did sojourn for thespace of many years, yea, even eight years in thewilderness.Wilderness eastof Nahom5 And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful,because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all theseLand of Bountiful592 to 571 B.C. things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish.And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which,being interpreted, is many waters.NephiLand of Bountiful592 to 571 B.C.