Nephi’s Sisters; Ishmaelitish Women; Chronology of Lehi’s Family

2 Nephi 5:6 And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me. Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.

http://bookofmormononline.net/commentary/5010

http://bookofmormononline.net/lehites/lehis-prophetic-call

This is the only specific reference in the Book of Mormon that Nephi had sisters as well as brothers. How many sisters there were, whether they were older or younger than Nephi, or what their names may have been are questions not answered in our present Book of Mormon. However, the following statement by Erastus Snow may provide information on some of the sisters of Nephi:

‘The Prophet Joseph informed us that the record of Lehi, was contained on the 116 pages that were first translated and subsequently stolen, and of which an abridgment is given us in the first Book of Nephi, which is the record of Nephi individually, he himself being of the lineage of Manasseh; but that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehi’s family , and Lehi’s sons married Ishmael’s daughters... (Journal of Discourses, 23:184.)

The words that Ishmael’s sons ‘married into Lehi’s family’ would seem to indicate that the two sons of Ishmael (see 1 Nephi 7:6) were married to Lehi’s daughters (and thus to two of the sisters of Nephi). However, the sisters referred to in 2 Nephi 5:6 are evidently still other sisters, because the sisters mentioned here follow Nephi when the schism with Laman occurs, whereas the sisters of Nephi who were married to the sons of Ishmael evidently stayed with their husbands and joined with Laman. (See Alma 3:7 and 47:35.)

—A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, pp. 131–32

1 Ne.. 7:6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.

Alma 4:7 And their brethren sought to destroy them, therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women.

Alma 47:35 And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time.

Alma 47:36 Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.

Lehites in Jerusalem and ArabiaLehi’s Prophetic Call

During the reign of Zedekiah, a number of prophets emerge, and warn the people of Jerusalem’s imminent destruction.

1 Nephi 1:4Lehi, a man living in Jerusalem at that time, prays to God in behalf of Jerusalem’s citizens.

1 Nephi 1:5A pillar of fire ushers in a spectacular heavenly manifestation which leaves Lehi overwhelmed and shaken.

1 Nephi 1:6Lehi runs home to recover from his experience.

1 Nephi 1:7While lying on his bed, Lehi is enwrapped in a vision.

1 Nephi 1:8Lehi sees God, angels, Jesus, and the Twelve Apostles.

1 Nephi 1:8–10Jesus gives Lehi a book, which confirms Jerusalem’s future destruction and Babylonian occupation.

1 Nephi 1:11–13Lehi praises the Lord.

1 Nephi 1:14–15Having now become a prophet, Lehi goes out and tells the citizens of the content of his vision.

1 Nephi 1:18The people do not accept Lehi, especially not his call to repentance; they set out to kill him.

1 Nephi 1:19–20

Escape Out of Jerusalem

God warns Lehi in a dream to leave Jerusalem, to escape the death threats against him.

1 Nephi 2:1–2Lehi obeys, leaves Jerusalem with his family, and travels along Red Sea.

1 Nephi 2:3–5Lehi and his family settle in a place they call the valley of Lemuel; they make camp, build an alter, and worship God.

1 Nephi 2:6–7, 15, 10:16, 16:6, 9:1Lehi’s two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, complain, and don’t believe their father’s words.

1 Nephi 2:11–13Lehi, noticing the landscape, counsels his oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, to stop complaining and trust in God.

1 Nephi 2:8–10, 14Laman and Lemuel are deeply moved by their father’s words, and obey him.

1 Nephi 2:14Nephi, having heard what his father said, prays about it.

1 Nephi 2:16The truthfulness of Lehi’s words is confirmed in Nephi’s heart.

1 Nephi 2:16Nephi shares his experience with his brother Sam, who believes, and to Laman and Lemuel, who do not believe.

1 Nephi 2:17–18Nephi receives a revelation assuring him of the blessing that come from obeying God’s commands; he is told that he is part of a larger plan: a pilgrimage to a promised land.

1 Nephi 2:19–24Nephi then goes into Lehi’s tent.

1 Nephi 3:1Lehi tells Nephi of instructions he received from the Lord that Nephi and his brothers need to return to Jerusalem to retrieve their family’s historical and genealogical records: the brass plates, currently being held by a Jerusalem man named Laban.

1 Nephi 3:2–6, 5:16Nephi’s accepts the Lord’s instructions as delivered by Lehi.

1 Nephi 3:7–8

Trip Back to Jerusalem to Retrieve the Plates of Brass

Nephi and his brothers leave the valley of Lemuel, and return to Jerusalem, where Laban’s house is located.

1 Nephi 3:9The brothers consult before entering.

1 Nephi 3:10They randomly select Laman to go into Laban’s house.

1 Nephi 3:11Laman goes in, and asks Laban for the records.

1 Nephi 3:11–12Laban gets angry, accuses Laman of being a robber, and threatens to kill him.

1 Nephi 3:13Laman runs out, meets his disappointed brothers; they get ready to leave Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 3:14Nephi persuades them not to leave, and suggests they go to their old house in Jerusalem, collect all their valuables, and present them to Laban in exchange for the brass plates.

1 Nephi 3:15–21Meanwhile, back in the  valley of Lemuel, Lehi’s wife Sariah complains about their sons’ likely deaths and grim situation in the desert.

1 Nephi 5:6,1–3Lehi comforts Sariah, reassuring her they are following the Lord’s instructions.

1 Nephi 5:4–6

Another Attempt at Getting the Brass Plates

According to plan, the brothers stop by their old house, collect the valuables, and go back to Laban’s place.

1 Nephi 3:22–23They present the valuables and propose an exchange for the brass plates.

1 Nephi 3:24Laban takes the valuables, kicks the brothers out, and orders their deaths.

1 Nephi 3:25The brothers escape, dodge Laban’s hit men, and hide in a cave.

1 Nephi 3:26–27Furious at the failure of the plan, Laman and Lemuel begin to beat Sam and Nephi with a stick.

1 Nephi 3:28During the beating, and angel appears, reproves Laman and Lemuel, and promises that divine grace will attend them in their next attempt to get the brass plates.

1 Nephi 3:29–30After the angel leaves, Laman and Lemuel, apparently indifferent to the angel’s providential promise, express their skepticism and cynicism.

1 Nephi 3:31

A Final Attempt at Getting the Brass Plates

Nephi, putting his trust in the Lord, convinces his brothers to believe the angel and go back.

1 Nephi 4:1–3Laman and Lemuel are not happy to hear this, but agree to go back with Nephi despite their doubts.

1 Nephi 4:4Night had fallen; Nephi tells his brothers to go hide while he goes exploring.

1 Nephi 4:5–6As he approaches Laban’s house, Nephi stumbles upon a drunk man lying in the streets. It is Laban.

1 Nephi 4:7–8Nephi notices Laban’s sword.

1 Nephi 4:9The Spirit tells Nephi to kill Laban.

1 Nephi 4:10Nephi, shocked by the command, does not want to kill anyone.

1 Nephi 4:10The Spirit assures Nephi that Laban’s death is necessary.

1 Nephi 4:11–13Nephi thinks things through, and remembers the importance of these records.

1 Nephi 4:14–17Following the Spirit’s orders, Nephi decapitates Laban.

1 Nephi 4:18

Nephi’s Covert Operation

Nephi proceeds to put on Laban’s clothes, and impersonate him.

1 Nephi 4:19Nephi, posing as Laban, meets Laban’s treasurer, Zoram, and requests to be let into the treasury.

1 Nephi 4:20,35Zoram doesn’t suspect a thing.

1 Nephi 4:21–23Nephi enters the treasury, gets the brass plates, and tells Zoram to follow him out. They go towards Nephi’s waiting brothers.

1 Nephi 4:24–27Nephi’s brothers, seeing Nephi dressed as Laban, get scared and begin to run off, but Nephi calls to them.

1 Nephi 4:28–29Zoram now suspects that Nephi is not Laban; he, in turn, gets scared.

1 Nephi 4:30Nephi grabs Zoram, tells him what’s going on, tells him not to leave, and promises him a place in Lehi’s family.

1 Nephi 4:31–34Zoram trusts Nephi, and promises to stay with them.

1 Nephi 4:35–37They all leave Jerusalem and head back to their father in the Valley of Lemuel.

1 Nephi 4:38

Lehi’s Family Reunion

Lehi’s sons return with Zoram, much to the parents’ joy.

1 Nephi 5:1,7Sariah expresses her renewed faith, and they all celebrate together.

1 Nephi 5:8–9Afterwards, Lehi begins a thorough study of the brass plates.

1 Nephi 5:10Lehi finds that the brass plates contain Moses’ Pentateuch, and the writings off many prophets since Moses.

1 Nephi 5:21, 11–13Lehi finds a genealogical record included in the plates; he is able to determine that he is a descendant of Joseph, Jacob’s son.

1 Nephi 5:14–16Lehi, filled the the Spirit, prophesies that, among other things, the contents of the brass plates will be preserved for his posterity.

1 Nephi 5:17–19Nephi acknowledges his and his father’s obedience, and they decide to carry the brass plates with them wherever they might go.

1 Nephi 5:20, 22Lehi receives another revelation telling him that his sons need to be married before they make their pilgrimage. Lehi instructs his sons to go back to Jerusalem to find the family of a man named Ishmael, and bring them out to the Valley of Lemuel with Lehi.

1 Nephi 7:1–2

Trip Back to Jerusalem to Retrieve Ishmael’s Family

Nephi and his brothers head out.

1 Nephi 7:3

They find Ishmael’s family, and let them know their situation.

1 Nephi 7:4Ishmael understands, and agrees to join them. They all head back towards the valley of Lemuel.

1 Nephi 7:5On the way back, Laman, Lemuel, and their supporters rebel and suggest going back to Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 7:6–7Nephi reproves them, and reminds them of the Lord’s past providence,  their responsibilities, and Jerusalem’s impeding doom.

1 Nephi 7:8–15Laman and Lemuel are furious; they tie Nephi up and plan on leaving him for the wildlife to devour.

1 Nephi 7:16Nephi prays for help.

1 Nephi 7:17Nephi’s bands miraculously loosen, and he confronts Laman and Lemuel, who are ready to beat him; some of Ishmael’s family members reason with Laman and Lemuel, and they calm down.

1 Nephi 7:18–19Laman and Lemuel realize their errors, and beg Nephi for forgiveness.

1 Nephi 7:20Nephi forgives them; they continue on their journey, and finally arrive back at the valley of Lemuel, reuniting with Lehi.

1 Nephi 7:21–22

Lehi’s Dream

Some time later, Lehi announces that he had a revelatory dream.

1 Nephi 8:2–4He gives a detailed account of his dream, describing a tree, fruit, his family, an iron rod, a fountain, and a big building.

1 Nephi 8:4–35Lehi is troubled by the ominous contents of the dream with regards to Laman and Lemuel. He talks to them, and encourages them to be righteous.

1 Nephi 8:36–38Lehi goes on to to prophesy about the fate of the Jews and the coming of Jesus Christ.

1 Nephi 10:2–15

Nephi’s Response and Understanding

Nephi desires to understand more fully what his father had said and seen about Jesus Christ and his gospel.

1 Nephi 10:17–22Nephi desires to know to the things of God, believes the Lord can reveal them, and ponders in his heart.

1 Nephi 11:1Nephi is carried into a vision; he hears, sees and experiences many things regarding the coming of Christ and the future of his people.

1 Nephi 11:1–14:30 After the vision, Nephi goes into Lehi’s tent, where he finds Laman and Lemuel were arguing about what their father’s words meant.

1 Nephi 15:1–4Nephi, still deeply shaken by the contents of his vision, takes a moment to gather his thoughts and regroup.

1 Nephi 15:5–6Laman and Lemuel tell Nephi they don’t understand what Lehi was talking about when he referred to olive branches. Nephi asks them if they’ve prayed about it.

1 Nephi 15:7–8They reply that they have not.

1 Nephi 15:9Nephi reproves them, and tells them that answers are waiting for them, but they must pray to receive them.

1 Nephi 15:10–11Nephi proceeds to  give a detailed explanation of the olive branch metaphor; It explains the process of the scattering and gathering of God’s covenant people.

1 Nephi 15:12–20Laman and Lemuel, apparently impressed, are satisfied with Nephi’s explanation.

1 Nephi 15:20Laman and Lemuel then go on to ask Nephi what the elements of Lehi’s dream represent; Nephi explains, and they discuss.

1 Nephi 15:21–36Upon hearing Nephi’s blunt interpretations, Laman and Lemuel say that it is more than they can handle—Nephi realizes that it is hard for guilty people to accept the truth.

1 Nephi 16:1–3Nephi counsels his brothers to be diligent; they agree, and Nephi has much hope for them.

1 Nephi 16:4–5

Departure from the Valley of Lemuel

In preparation for their journey, Nephi, his brothers, and Zoram each take one of the daughters of Ishmael.

1 Nephi 16:7–8The Lord instructs Lehi to begin his journey the next day.

1 Nephi 16:9In the morning, Lehi awakes to find a special compass–like ball called the Liahona; it is designed to lead them through the desert.

1 Nephi 16:10, Alma 37:38–39, Mosiah 1:16–17Lehi’s followers gather their supplies, break camp, and leave.

1 Nephi 8:1, 16:11–12

Pass Through Shazer

After four days of traveling southward, the group arrives at a place called Shazer.

1 Nephi 16:13The group uses the Liahona to guide them in their hunting trips.

1 Nephi 16:14–16After several more days of travel, the group stops to replenish their food stock.

1 Nephi 16:17On one hunting trip, Nephi accidentally breaks his bow, and returns home empty handed, much to the dismay of the rest of the group.

1 Nephi 16:18–19Laman, Lemuel, Ishmael’s sons and even Lehi complain because of their misfortunes, and begin to curse God.

1 Nephi 16:20Nephi tries to appease those complaining.

1 Nephi 16:21–22,24Nephi takes matters into his own hands, and makes a new bow himself. He then asks a repentant Lehi where he should go to hunt.

1 Nephi 16:23Lehi, humbled, asks the Lord.

1 Nephi 16:24God refers Lehi to the Liahona.

1 Nephi 16:25–26New writing had appeared on it, apparently showing where to go to hunt.

1 Nephi 16:27, 29The Liahona functions according to the faith of those who possess it.

1 Nephi 16:28–29, Alma 37:40–42Nephi follows the directions of the Liahona, and ends up at the top of a mountain, where he finds game to hunt.

1 Nephi 16:30–31Nephi returns to camp with food, much to the joy of the group.

1 Nephi 16:32

Troubles in Nahom

The group continues their travels. They arrive at a place called Nahom, where Ishmael dies and is buried.

1 Nephi 16:33–34Ishmael’s daughters mourn bitterly, lament their condition, and want to go back home.

1 Nephi 16:35–36Laman and Lemuel plot to kill Lehi.

1 Nephi 16:37Laman and Lemuel attribute Nephi and Lehi’s purported revelations to trickery and fraud.

1 Nephi 16:38As they were plotting, they hear the booming voice of God chasten them; they repent immediately.

1 Nephi 16:39The group keeps moving, this time eastward; several of the women bear children on the way.

1 Nephi 17:1Sariah, Lehi’s wife, bears two sons: Jacob and Joseph.

1 Nephi 18:7The group is blessed for keeping God’s commandments; they are able to live healthily and happily off of raw meat in compliance with God’s commandment not to build fires.

1 Nephi 17:2–4,12–13DFJ Year 8

Arrival in Bountiful

The group arrives at a lush ad fruitful coastal region that they call Bountiful.

1 Nephi 17:5–6The Lord tells Nephi to go up to the mountains.

1 Nephi 17:7The Lord tells Nephi to build a ship.

1 Nephi 17:8Nephi asks where to find ore to make tools to build the ship; the Lord tells him.

1 Nephi 17:9–10Nephi builds fires and billows

1 Nephi 17:11Nephi makes tools out of ore.

1 Nephi 17:15–16When Laman and Lemuel see Nephi working, they mock him.

1 Nephi 17:17–18Nephi is deeply hurt by their unbelief.

1 Nephi 17:19Laman and Lemuel continue to mock and scorn Nephi for his work; they blame him for all their problems.

1 Nephi 17:19–22In response, Nephi lectures his brothers, recounts the history of Israel, condemns their unbelief, and calls them to repentance.

1 Nephi 17:23–47Upon hearing this, Laman and Lemuel are furious, and want to throw Nephi into the ocean.

1 Nephi 17:48Nephi speaks on behalf of God in restraining Laman and Lemuel.

1 Nephi 17:48–49Nephi again asserts God’s power in him; Laman and Lemuel, convinced, don’t dare lay a finger on him.

1 Nephi 17:50–52The Lord tells Nephi to stretch out his arm—Laman and Lemuel receive a powerful shock.

1 Nephi 17:53–54Laman and Lemuel acknowledge Nephi’s divine authority; they begin to worship Nephi, but Nephi tells them to worship God instead.

1 Nephi 17:54–55, 18:1Nephi and his brothers continue construction on the boat.

1 Nephi 18:1–2Nephi often goes back to the mountain to receive divine guidance.

1 Nephi 18:3The ship is complete.

1 Nephi 18:4The Lord commands Lehi to take everyone into the ship.

1 Nephi 18:5They gather all their provisions, and board the ship.

1 Nephi 18:6

Departure Towards the Promised Land

The ship launches into the Indian Ocean.

1 Nephi 18:8After several days, some of the passengers become irreverent and engage in inappropriate behavior; they begin to rebel against Nephi, who was admonishing them to behave well.

1 Nephi 18:9–10

Laman and Lemuel attack Nephi, and tie him up. The Liahona stops working.

1 Nephi 18:11–12A huge storm starts up, and no one knows which direction to go.

1 Nephi 18:13Lehi and Sariah are heartbroken and exasperated by their sons’ behaviors.

1 Nephi 18:17–18Jacob and Joseph feel bad because of their mother’s afflictions; Nephi’s wife cries.

1 Nephi 18:19The storm lasts four days; Laman and Lemuel finally realize that God’s judgment is coming upon them, so they release Nephi.

1 Nephi 18:14–15,20Nephi praises God, despite his hardships.

1 Nephi 18:16The Liahona begins to work again, and Nephi guides the ship towards the promised land.

1 Nephi 18:21–22A significant amount of time later, they arrive in the promised land.

1 Nephi 18:23

Colonization of the Promised Land

Arrival, Exploration, and Settlement of the Promised Land

The travelers arrive at the promised land; they set up camp.

1 Nephi 18:23They begin agricultural activities.

1 Nephi 18:24They explore, and find all kinds of wildlife.

1 Nephi 18:25

Nephi’s Records

Upon the Lord’s command, Nephi makes some plates out of ore, and records the historical account of Lehi’s story.

1 Nephi 19:1–2These plates give tell the secular history of the people; they are to be handed down from one generation to the next.

1 Nephi 19:4–5, 2 Nephi 5:29These plates also give accounts of of kings and warfare.

1 Nephi 9:4, 10:1

Nephi is commanded to make a second set of plates.

2 Nephi 5:30–33These plates do not give a full history of his people.

1 Nephi 9:2–3,5–6These plates are for recording the religious and spiritual accounts of his people.

1 Nephi 19:3,6–7Nephi only gives a partial account of his and his family’s proceedings in his record.

1 Nephi 1:16–17Nephi does not bother to fill these plates with mundane historical information, he instead fills them with spiritually uplifting content.

1 Nephi 6:1–6Nephi begins writing in these plates by summarizing his story up to this point—he writes in Judeo–Egyptian language.

1 Nephi Intro, 1:1–3

Nephi’s Writings and Teachings

Nephi draws from the contents of the brass plates to draft a prophetic essay about Jesus Christ.

1 Nephi 19:8–21Nephi teaches things recorded on the brass plates; he wants to persuade everyone to believe in Jesus Christ.

1 Nephi 19:22–24Nephi quotes a relevant passage from the brass plates, written by Isaiah.

1 Nephi 20:1–21:26   Nephi’s brothers do not understand what these things mean.

1 Nephi 22:1Nephi gives them a detailed and lengthy analysis and explanation.

1 Nephi 22:2–31

Lehi’s Last Days

After Nephi's speaks, Lehi takes the floor, and reminds his family about the mercies of the Lord, and the about the land of promise.

2 Nephi 1:1-4Lehi speaks to his family, prophesying of the future, exhorting his children to righteousness, and leaving his blessing upon them.2 Ne. 1:4-4:12

Lehi dies.

2 Nephi 4:12

Schism Between the Nephites and the Lamanites

Not long after Lehi’s death, Laman, Lemuel and some of Ishmael’s sons again get angry at Nephi and his followers for repeating Lehi’s words.

2 Nephi 4:13–14Nephi writes a psalm expressing his feelings.

2 Nephi 4:15–35Despite Nephi’s prayers, Laman and Lemuel’s dissenting view only deepen, and the want to kill Nephi.

2 Nephi 5:1–4, 34The Lord warns Nephi, and instructs him to leave—Nephi warns his followers.

2 Nephi 5:5–6Nephi and his followers (Nephites) leave the settlement and the Lamanites (followers of Laman and Lemuel) behind.

2 Nephi 5:7Nephite Exodus

These events were all a fulfillment of prophecy.

2 Nephi 5:19–20

The Lamanite Civilization

The Lamanites are cursed, and cut off from God’s influence.

2 Nephi 5:21–23, Jacob 3:3The Lamanite culture becomes degenerate.

2 Nephi 5:24–25The Lamanites want to kill the Nephites.

Jacob 1:13–14, Enos 20Despite the missionary efforts of the Nephites, the Lamanites remain a godless civilization.

Jacob 7:24, Enos 20The Lamanite civilization multiplies and expands its territories.

Jarom 6

The Nephites Arrive From the Land of First Inheritance

Settlement of the Nephites

After days of travel, the Nephites make camp; they call their settlement “Nephi”, and live good lives.

2 Nephi 5:7–10The community flourishes thanks to divine blessing.

2 Nephi 5:11–13The Nephites become very industrious with regards to civil engineering and defense.

2 Nephi 5:14–15,17Nephi builds a temple similar to that of Solomon’s.

2 Nephi 5:16Nephi is nominated to become king; he reluctantly accepts.

2 Nephi 5:18

Nephi designates his brothers Jacob and Joseph to be the religious leaders.

2 Nephi 5:26–28DFJ Year 30

Religious Teachings

Jacob gives a lengthy sermon in which he teaches the words of Isaiah, and explains the doctrines of resurrection and the atonement.

2 Nephi 6:1–11:1   Nephi explains that he likes Isaiah’s words because of their Christ–centered teachings

2 Nephi 11:2–3Nephi emphasizes his devotion to teaching about Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 11:4–7Nephi quotes a lengthy block of Isaiah’s words from the brass plates.

2 Nephi 11:8–24:32   Nephi prophesies, explains, analyzes, and comments on Isaiah and the doctrines he taught.

2 Nephi 25–30   Nephi leaves his testimony and expounds the doctrine of Christ.

2 Nephi 31–33  

Jacob’s Ministry

Nephi charges Jacob with the record–keeping responsibilities.

Jacob 1:1–4DFJ Year 55Jacob works hard to persuade people to believe in Jesus Christ.

Jacob 1:5–8Nephi gets old, and a system for naming his successors as king is established.

Jacob 1:9–11Nephi dies.

Jacob 1:12Under the rule of their second king, the people get prideful and begin practicing polygamy.

Jacob 1:15–16Jacob gives a sermon at the temple in response to his people’s pride and sins

Jacob 1:17 – 3:14

Jacob writes to future readers of his record.

Jacob 4:1–18Jacob gives a detailed allegory about the House of Israel using an olive tree metaphor.

Jacob 5–6

Sherem the Anti-Christ

Some years later, a man named Sherem arrives, and starts teaching unchristian doctrines.

Jacob 7:1–3Sherem knows that Jacob is a firm believer, and wants to challenge his faith.

Jacob 7:3–5Sherem approaches Jacob and accuses him of teaching falsehoods about a supposed Christ.

Jacob 7:6–7Jacob asks Sherem if he denies the Christ; Sherem does.

Jacob 7:8–9Sherem claims to believe the scriptures; Jacob replies that Sherem must not understand the scriptures, because they teach of Christ.

Jacob 7:10–12Sherem asks for a sign from heaven.

Jacob 7:13Jacob rebukes him for sign–seeking, but prays for the Lord’s will to be done.

Jacob 7:14Sherem suddenly falls to the ground, apparently paralyzed by God’s power—he tells everyone to gather the next day to hear what he has to say.

Jacob 7:15–16The next day, a crowd of people gather to hear the incapacitated Sherem; he confesses he was lying and was wrong to deny the Christ.

Jacob 7:17–19Upon his confession, Sherem drops dead—the crowd is shocked.

Jacob 7:20–21Jacob is pleased with the subsequent belief and faith of the people.

Jacob 7:22–23Nephite Civilization Progress

The Nephites attempt a variety of missionary efforts towards the Lamanites, but without success.

Jacob 7:24The Nephites fortify their military defense.

Jacob 7:25An aging Jacob summarizes his life in his record.

Jacob 7:26

Enos’ Early Ministry

Jacob, nearing his death bed, passes the records on to his son Enos, and bids a final farewell.

Jacob 7:27Enos tells of a spiritual experience:

Enos 1

Enos was out hunting one day, when Jacob’s teachings came to mind.

Enos 2Enos began to pray for his soul; he prayed all day and all night.

Enos 3–4Enos heard a voice telling him his sins are forgiven; Enos’ guilt disappeared.

Enos 5–6The voice explained that forgiveness is only possible because of Jesus Christ.

Enos 7–8Enos continued to pray for the Nephites.

Enos 9The Nephites were promised blessings.

Enos 10Enos, with firmer faith, prayed for the Lamanites.

Enos 11The Lamanites were also promised blessings.

Enos 12Enos wanted his people’s record to be preserved even in case of annihilation.

Enos 13–14God grants according to faith.

Enos 15–16Enos was put at ease.

Enos 17–18

Enos’ Prophesies and Continued Ministry

Enos teaches and testifies to the citizens of the land of Nephi.

Enos 19Vain attempts are again made to proselytize to the Lamanites, who were becoming increasingly unruly.

Enos 20The Nephite civilization advances and expands.

Enos 21–22Wars between the Nephites and Lamanites keep the Nephites humble.

Enos 23–24Enos gets old, yet continues teaching his people diligently.

Enos 25–26DFJ 179Enos looks forward to his imminent death, knowing he will soon be meeting Jesus.

Enos 27

Jarom’s Ministry

Jarom, Enos’ son, gets the records, but doesn’t feel he can add much to the powerful writings of his predecessors.

Jarom 1–2Some Nephites become corrupt, while some remain faithful.

Jarom 3–4The population grows, and laws keep order and peace.

Jarom 5–6The Lamanites execute several attacks and invasions, but the Nephites fend them off.

Jarom 7Nephite prosperity and technological progress gives them a military advantage over the Lamanites.

Jarom 8–9Prophets warn the people to keep the commandments and believe in Christ or else they would not be protected from their enemies.

Jarom 10–13Jarom records more information on the historical plates.

Jarom 14Jarom passes the records on to his son Omni.

Jarom 15

The Ministries of Omni, Amaron, Chemish, and Abinadom

Omni participates in many battles with Lamanites to protect his people.

Omni 1–2Omni admits to being a bad person.

Omni 2Amid an era of war, Omni gives the records to his son Amaron.

Omni 3Amaron reports that a large portion of the unfaithful Nephites were exterminated in a war, but the righteous ones were saved.

Omni 4–7DFJ Year 320Amaron confers the records to his brother Chemish.

Omni 8

Chemish explains how his brother Amaron had waited till the last day to make his entry in the plates.

Omni 9Abinadom, Chemish’s son, becomes the new record keeper, and reports more wars with the Lamanites.

Omni 10–11

A Nephite named Mosiah receives a revelation telling him to leave the Land of Nephi; he gathers all who will believe him, and they escape into the wilderness; Abinadom is among those who follow.

Omni 12–13Mosiah and the Nephite Pilgrims

There is no recorded account of what happened to the Nephites who stayed in the Land of Nephi. Years later, when Zeniff came to find those left behind, he discovers that the land is occupied by Lamanites, who had presumably invaded and exterminated the Nephites.

Mosiah 9:4–5