Lehi’S Family Sails to Promised Land

Event 15

Reference: 1 Ne. 18:5-22

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came untomy father, that we should arise and go down into the ship.NephiLand of Bountiful592 to 571 B.C.6 And it came to pass that on the morrow, after we hadprepared all things, much fruits and meat from thewilderness, and honey in abundance, and provisionsaccording to that which the Lord had commanded us, wedid go down into the ship, with all our loading and ourseeds, and whatsoever thing we had brought with us, everyone according to his age; wherefore, we did all go downinto the ship, with our wives and our children. 7 And now,my father had begat two sons in the wilderness; the elderwas called Jacob and the younger Joseph.Seashore at landof Bountiful8 And it came to pass after we had all gone down into theship, and had taken with us our provisions and things whichhad been commanded us, we did put forth into the sea andwere driven forth before the wind towards the promisedland. 9 And after we had been driven forth before the windfor the space of many days, behold, my brethren and thesons of Ishmael and also their wives began to makethemselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, andto sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even thatthey did forget by what power they had been broughtthither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness. 10And I, Nephi, began to fear exceedingly lest the Lordshould be angry with us, and smite us because of ouriniquity, that we should be swallowed up in the depths ofthe sea; wherefore, I, Nephi, began to speak to them withmuch soberness; but behold they were angry with me,saying:Upon the seaWe will not that our younger brother shall be a ruler over us.Nephi’s Brethren11 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take meand bind me with cords, and they did treat me with muchharshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he mightshow forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word whichhe had spoken concerning the wicked.Nephi12 And it came to pass that after they had bound meinsomuch that I could not move, the compass, which hadbeen prepared of the Lord, did cease to work. 13 Wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship, insomuchthat there arose a great storm, yea, a great and terribletempest, and we were driven back upon the waters for thespace of three days; and they began to be frightenedexceedingly lest they should be drowned in the sea;nevertheless they did not loose me. 14 And on the fourthday, which we had been driven back, the tempest began tobe exceedingly sore.NephiUpon the sea592 to 571 B.C.15 And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowedup in the depths of the sea. And after we had been drivenback upon the waters for the space of four days, mybrethren began to see that the judgments of God were uponthem, and that they must perish save that they should repentof their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me, andloosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and beholdthey had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles weremuch swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. 16Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise himall the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lordbecause of mine afflictions.17 Now my father, Lehi, had said many things unto them,and also unto the sons of Ishmael; but, behold, they didbreathe out much threatenings against anyone that shouldspeak for me; and my parents being stricken in years, andhaving suffered much grief because of their children, theywere brought down, yea, even upon their sick-beds. 18Because of their grief and much sorrow, and the iniquity ofmy brethren, they were brought near even to be carried outof this time to meet their God; yea, their grey hairs wereabout to be brought down to lie low in the dust; yea, eventhey were near to be cast with sorrow into a watery grave.19 And Jacob and Joseph also, being young, having need ofmuch nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictionsof their mother; and also my wife with her tears andprayers, and also my children, did not soften the hearts ofmy brethren that they would loose me. 20 And there wasnothing save it were the power of God, which threatenedthem with destruction, could soften their hearts; wherefore,when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up inthe depths of the sea they repented of the thing which theyhad done, insomuch that they loosed me.21 And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, Itook the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after Ihad prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease,and there was a great calm.NephiUpon the sea592 to 571 B.C.22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, thatwe sailed again towards the promised land.