Why Nephi was commanded to build a ship

[tomk]

Why was Nephi commanded to build a ship, instead of Lehi?

Wouldn't that sort of thing normally have come through Lehi, who in turn would relay the command to Nephi?

The only reasons I can think of are:

-Lehi was getting old. Of course, Noah was "old" too, and he built an Ark. Maybe the Lord commanded Nephi since he would be doing most of the work on the ship.
-Nephi was "righteous enough" that the Lord was able to give the command to him directly, instead of going through Lehi.
-Maybe we are witnessing the passing of the torch from Lehi to Nephi as far as leadership. Lehi was still the Patriarch, but was getting on in years, so Nephi took his place. Perhaps much like King Benjamin and Mosiah.


Your thoughts?

[skalenfehl]

Ah, Nephi, the universal man! One of my favorite prophets.

I tend to agree with your assessment but if you read a little deeper there's more. Consider 1 Nephi 9-15. Nephi began desiring to know of all the things that his father saw. Nephi then had quite a dialog with an angel and beheld many, many things which should come to pass, including our times. Nephi was coming of age at just the right time. Notice the change of tone in chapter 16. The Family is now bigger with Ishmael's family joining, daughters marrying sons. So now there are two patriarchs. The kicker here is the fact that their hardships have taken their toll on the families. Even the valiant Lehi falters and murmers against the Lord .

In verse 9 the Lord tells Lehi that it's time to move out. The next day they find the Liahona (a whole other topic!) and pack up and continue into the wilderness slaying food.

Verse 18 is were we transition from Lehi's faith to Nephi's. His bow breaks, his brothers and all the sons begin to murmur after many days without food. Lehi begins to murmur (v. 20) against the Lord!

Nephi, never faltering makes a new bow and arrow (a whole other story) and consults his father (the patriarch!) where he should go to find food. Pay close attention to verse 25. Then the Lord doesn't tell Lehi where to go. What does he do? He tells Lehi to look upon the Liahona. So now Lehi must exercise faith (the only way the Liahona will work) and what do you think they saw that made them tremble so much? What would make you tremble if you were in their position? (I'll let you simmer in that for a while). Still, Laman and Lemuel, after everything they've witnessed, wanted to kill Lehi and Nephi.

Chapter 17 is the turning point. By this point, as you say, Lehi was up in years and may not have been able to stand up to his rebelling sons anymore. Nephi, who was chosen to rule over his brothers, withstood their attempts at his life and caused them to shake and humble themselves so that they could build the ship.

There had to come a point where the mantle of stewardship passed on from Lehi to Nephi, where old becomes new and this was the ideal time and setting. Leaving the old life behind and starting a new life in the new world where Nephi would become the ruler. Therefore the Lord spoke directly to Nephi.

This is the way I see it, anyway. Hopefully I've provided some insight.

[Teancum18]

I agree with the reasons already given. I also think there are probably others we haven't thought of. Truthfully, I think it comes down to the passing of the torch more than anything else.

[VisionOfLehi]

If you look through the scriptures, you'll notice that Nephi seems to understand metalworking... He made the plates, he recognized Laban's sword as well-crafted.

It seems to me he already had experience in that general field. He was able to make the tools needed to build the ship, too.

Perhaps woodworking and ship building was an easier transition for him?

Just another possible explanation to layer with the others.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Nephi is absolutely awe inspiring. What faith he had! Perhaps it was also a sign to his rebellious brothers that he had this unshakable faith and would do whatever the Lord commanded him no matter how difficult it might seem. I love the Primary song, "I will GO, I will DO the thing the Lord commands." ......... oh I do miss being in Primary.

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by VisionOfLehi

If you look through the scriptures, you'll notice that Nephi seems to understand metalworking... He made the plates, he recognized Laban's sword as well-crafted.

It seems to me he already had experience in that general field. He was able to make the tools needed to build the ship, too.

Perhaps woodworking and ship building was an easier transition for him?

Just another possible explanation to layer with the others.

I personally have no doubt that Nephi learned this from his father who traveled much. I explain a lot in my thread "A ball of curious workmanship". Hence my describing Nephi as a universal man above.

http://www.lds.net/forums/share/9872...tml#post174577

[tomk]

I have really enjoyed the thoughts so far.

Skale, those are some amazing insights. You have a true love for Nephi, I can feel that!

[skalenfehl]

Thank you, Tom. Do you ever wonder, wait, rephrase--how often do you wonder about the "116 pages"?

[tomk]

Originally Posted by skalenfehl

Thank you, Tom. Do you ever wonder, wait, rephrase--how often do you wonder about the "116 pages"?

Not very often, to be honest. Curious what was on them, of course.


I find it comforting, the Lord's counsel to Joseph not to translate them again. As you know, the reason being that those who had the 116 "lost" pages would use Joseph's re-translation to ensnare him. "Looky here, our 116 pages say something different. Jospeh must not be a true prophet!"

I get so tired of that crap. Of people trying to debunk Joseph Smith. I love Joseph Smith and his wonderful fruits. He was so kind and fun-loving. I wish people didn't hate him so, Skale!

There was also the sealed portion.


There are also the records kept by other peoples, yet to be revealed.


It will be an interesting, fun time, when these things come to light.



My personal opinion is that all of these things are able to be made known to people on an individual basis, through personal revelation, as we qualify for it.

[skalenfehl]

Or perhaps made abundantly available during the Millennium.