And now I, Nefi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part33 of my record, neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing, for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father; wherefore, I do not write it in this work, for it suffices me to say that we are a descendant of Yosef. And it matters not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of Elohim. For the fulness of my intent is that I may persuade34 men to come unto the Elohim of Avraham, and the Elohim of Yitz’chak, and the Elohim of Ya’akov and be saved. Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto Elohim and unto those who are not of the world. Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men.
And now I would that you might know that after my father Lechi had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto him again, that it was not suitable for him, Lechi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone, but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto yhwh in the land of promise. And it came to pass that yhwh commanded him that I, Nefi, and my brothers should again return into the land of Yerushalayim and bring down Yishma’el and his family into the wilderness. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, did again with my brothers go forth into the wilderness to go up to Yerushalayim. And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Yishma’el, and we did gain favor in the sight of Yishma’el, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of yhwh. And it came to pass that yhwh did soften the heart of Yishma’el and also his whole household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father.
And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold, Laman, and L’mu’el, and two of the daughters of Yishma’el, and the two sons of Yishma’el, and their families did rebel against us; yes, against I, Nefi, and Sam, and their father Yishma’el, and his wife, and his three other daughters. And it came to pass that in the which rebellion they were desirous to return unto the land of Yerushalayim. And now I, Nefi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spoke unto them, saying — yes, even unto Laman and unto L’mu’el — Behold, you are my elder brothers, and how is it that you are so hard in your hearts and so blind in your minds that you have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you? Yes, and set an example for you? How is it that you have not hearkened unto the word of yhwh? How is it that you have forgotten that you have seen an angel of yhwh? Yes, and how is it that you have forgotten what great things yhwh has done for us in delivering us out of the hands of Lavan? And also that we should obtain the record? Yes, and how is it that you have forgotten that yhwh is able to do all things according to his will for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.35 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise.36 And you shall know at some future period that the word of yhwh shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Yerushalayim,37 for all things which yhwh has spoken concerning the destruction of Yerushalayim must be fulfilled. For behold, the spirit of yhwh ceases soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Yirmeyahu have they cast into prison,38 and they have sought to take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land. Now behold, I say unto you that if you will return unto Yerushalayim, you shall also perish with them. And now if you have choice, go up to the land and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if you go, you will also perish. For thus the spirit of yhwh constrains me that I should speak.
And it came to pass that when I, Nefi, had spoken these words unto my brothers, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly angry; and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts. But it came to pass that I prayed unto yhwh, saying, O yhwh, according to my faith which is in you, will you deliver me from the hands of my brothers? Yes, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound? And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands39 were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brothers and I spoke unto them again. And it came to pass that they were angry with me again and sought to lay hands upon me. But behold, one of the daughters of Yishma’el, yes, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Yishma’el, did plead with my brothers, insomuch that they did soften their hearts and they did cease striving to take away my life. And it came to pass that they were sorrowful because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me. And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto yhwh their Elohim for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto yhwh, we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.
And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brothers and all the house of Yishma’el had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto yhwh their Elohim, and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.
And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind and also of the seeds of fruits of every kind.
And it came to pass that while my father remained in the wilderness, he spoke unto us, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream, or in other words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in yhwh because of Nefi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they and also many of their seed will be saved. But behold, Laman and L’mu’el, I fear exceedingly because of you. For behold, it seemed to me I saw in my dream a dark and dreary wilderness. And it came to pass that I saw a man and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spoke unto me and invited me to follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto yhwh that he would have mercy on me according to the multitude of his tender mercies.
And it came to pass, after I had prayed unto yhwh, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree40 whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof, and beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yes, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous41 that my family should partake of it also, for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. And as I cast my eyes around about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, and I beheld a river42 of water and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit. And I looked to behold from where it came, and I saw the head thereof a little way off. And at the head thereof I beheld your mother Saryah, and Sam, and Nefi, and they stood as if they knew not where they should go. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also. And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and L’mu’el should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast my eyes towards the head of the river that perhaps I might see them. And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit.
And I beheld a rod43 of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river and led to the tree by which I stood. And I also beheld a straight44 and narrow path which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. And it came to pass that they did come forth and commenced in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist45 of darkness, yes, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mists of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partook of the fruit of the tree. And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree, they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
And I also cast my eyes around about and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious46 building. And it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female, and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come up and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit, they were ashamed because of those that were a scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
And now I, Nefi, do not speak all the words of my father. But to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron. And they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree. And he also saw other multitudes pressing their way towards that great and spacious building. And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain, and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads. And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building, they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also. But we heeded them not — thus are the words of my father — for as many as heeded them had fallen away. And Laman and L’mu’el partook not of the fruit, said my father.
And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and L’mu’el; yes, he feared that they should be cast off from the presence of yhwh. And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent that they would hearken to his words, in that perhaps yhwh would be merciful to them and not cast them off; yes, my father did preach unto them. And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he exhorted them to keep the mitzvot of yhwh; and he did cease speaking unto them. And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak as he dwelt in a tent in the valley of L’mu’el, and also a great many more things which cannot be written upon these plates.
And now as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold, they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nefi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nefi, after my own name. And these plates also are called the plates of Nefi. Nevertheless, I have received a mitzvah of yhwh that I should make these plates for the special purpose that there should be an account engraved of the ministry of my people. And upon the other plates should be engraved an account of the reigns of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people. Wherefore, these plates are for the more part of the ministry, and the other plates are for the more part of the reigns of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people. Wherefore, yhwh has commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But yhwh knows all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepares a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men. For behold, he has all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.