Book of Mormon (Plain English Version)/1 Nephi/Chapter 1

Nephi writes about his father, Lehi...
(compare 1 Nephi, chapter 1)

Note: Nephi engraved this record on small plates in 570 BC, 30 years after leaving Jerusalem.

My name is Nephi. I was born to good parents who saw that I was educated as my father was educated. I've had many trials in my life, but I've always been highly favored by the Lord. I've received great knowledge of His goodness and mysteries. Because of these things, I now make this record of my life.

I'm writing as my father did, in Egyptian (hieroglyphics), but writing according to Jewish learning (reformed Egyptian engravings). I know this record is true, which I engrave upon metal plates I've made.

My record begins with my father, Lehi, who lived in Jerusalem with his family in 600 BC.

Soon after our new king Zedekiah came to power, many prophets came to our city. They told the people that if they didn't repent, they'd be destroyed. When my father heard this he became very concerned for his people. He went out and prayed with all his heart to the Lord, asking what he could do to help save his people.

While he was praying, a pillar of fire came upon a rock in front of him. Then he saw and heard many things that made him shake in astonishment!

After this vision, my father was so overcome by the Spirit that he returned home and fell upon his bed, where his vision continued. He saw the heavens open. He saw what appeared to be God sitting upon His throne, surrounded by countless angels, singing and praising Him.

My father saw a man come down from heaven, whose whole body shone brighter than the sun. He saw twelve others follow who shone brighter than the stars. They came down to the earth, and the first man (Jesus the Christ) gave my father a book and asked him to read it.

As Lehi read the book, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord He read,

"Jerusalem is cursed, for I have seen its wickedness! Unless the people of Jerusalem repent, many will either be killed by the Babylonians or become their slaves."

My father read about and saw in vision many great and marvelous things, after which he exclaimed, "Oh Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and Thy power, goodness and mercy are over all the earth. Because of Thy mercy, Thou will spare all who come to Thee!"

My father's heart was full of joy because of the Lord's tender mercy in showing him all these things.

I, Nephi, am writing only a small part of my father's visions dreams and prophecies that he wrote in his record and told to his children.

I will make a record of my life, but first I'll write part of my father's history on metal plates that I've made.

Note: Nephi's father's history, "The Book of Lehi", was part of 116 pages of lost manuscripts. (compare D&C 10, "...the [large] plates of Nephi...", W. of M. 1:3). After arriving in the promised land, Nephi made large plates (1 Nephi 19:1-5). Years later, Nephi made small plates (2 Nephi 5:28-33), which became The First Book of Nephi through The Book of Omni

My father wrote:

"After my vision of the destruction of Jerusalem, I went out and told the people of my city what I'd seen and heard. After hearing of my marvelous vision concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the people made fun of me, for it told them of their wickedness. It also told them of a Messiah who would come down to redeem the world.

When they heard all this, they became angry and said they'd kill me, just as their fathers had killed prophets of old."

Now, I Nephi will show you that the Lord's tender mercy protects those He has chosen because of their faith, for their faith gives them the power to be delivered.