1 Nephi 16-22

1 Nephi 16

Laman was upset by the words that Nephi spake

That’s ‘cause, for the wicked, the truth is hard to take. 

As the family traveled, God sent a ball of brass

Called the Liahona.  It helped them carve a path.

It worked like a compass and showed the way to go.

But when they were wicked, the markers wouldn’t show.

This is like the Spirit.  He helps us find our way—

As long as we’re righteous—so we don’t go astray.

When his steel bow broke, Nephi couldn’t hunt for meat.

Soon his family murmured because they couldn’t eat.

Though Nephi was hungry, he stayed in a good mood. 

When he prayed for help, the Lord helped him to find food.

When you have a problem, feel sick or are in pain

Go to God in prayer—it won’t help if you complain!

1 Nephi 17

For eight years they followed the Liahona’s signs.

As they went, they learned to trust God and not to whine.

When they reached the sea, God told Nephi, “Build a ship.”

Though his brothers mocked him, Nephi refused to quit.

“Just as God helped Moses in parting the Red Sea,

“He can show the way to construct a ship to me!”

God gave Nephi power to shock them with his hand,

So his brothers helped him to follow God’s command.

1 Nephi 18

With the Lord’s assistance, the ship was soon complete.

Even Laman had to admit that it was neat!

That’s ‘cause Nephi went hiking nearly every day

To be on a mountain, alone, so he could pray.

In response, Nephi said the Lord showed him great things.

If we pray like Nephi we’ll get those same blessings.

While they had been trav’ling Lehi had two more sons

Named Jacob and Joseph—now their family was done.

Lehi and his family set sail, trusting God’s hand

Would direct their ship so they’d find the Promised Land.

As they journeyed, some of them were acting like jerks.

They were shocked when the Liahona wouldn’t work.

They tied Nephi up when he told them not to sin.

They would not release him till a storm nearly killed them!

1 Nephi 19

Right after they landed, Nephi made plates of ore.

They’d contain his people’s ministry and much more.

God told him that in six hundred years Christ would come

And of how the Jews would reject Him—God’s own Son!

Nephi told his brothers these things of Christ, the Lord.

And to fully persuade them, he shared Isaiah’s word. 

1 Nephi 20

This prophet, Isaiah, lived long before Nephi.

He was from the same hometown and also prophesied.

He would often write from the Savior’s point of view.

Nephi quoted his words and tells us they are true:

My people have necks made of iron and brass brows

This means that they don’t pray!—Their heads refuse to bow!

Though you have afflictions, they will refine you, yet. 

We can grow from all of the trials that we get.

Hearken unto me, all my commandments are sure.

Then, I promise, your peace will be as a river.

If we trust in God and obey His commandments

We’ll be blessed with peace; our trials won’t seem so intense.

1 Nephi 21

Isaiah shared more of God’s message and commands.

I will not forget you, you’re graven on my hands!

Just like any parent, God loves us—everyone.

Never doubt His love!  You’re His daughter or His son.

I will fight for you and deliver your children 

So your enemies know that I’m the Mighty One.

If we do what’s right, Heavenly Father’s on our side!—

Even if we’re mocked, someday we’ll be justified.

1 Nephi 22

After Nephi stopped reading these words to his kin

They wanted to know what the words had meant to him.

Nephi felt the twelve tribes would soon forget their worth

And, someday, be scattered and lost throughout the earth

But, thanks to the founding of the United States,

God’s church would be restored and set the record straight. 

As the gospel spreads forth to the children of men

All the tribes of Israel will learn the truth again.

Though there will be wars and persecution all around

God will shield His people; the devil will be bound.

1 Nephi 11-15

1 Nephi 11

Nephi also saw Lehi’s vision of the tree.

With an angel’s help, he learned what each symbol means.

He saw baby Jesus held by his mom, Mary.

After which he saw the Lord’s earthly ministry.

Nephi saw how our Redeemer would call twelve men

To be His Apostles, to testify of Him.

Next, his vision showed how the Lord’s life would be lost

When the people took him and hung him on a cross.

Then he saw the building fall.  This was meant to warn

All who’ve fought or will fight the apostles of the Lord.

1 Nephi 12

Nephi’s dream continued so that he could record

How his future seed would someday forget the Lord.

After centuries spent fighting war after war,

There would be great earthquakes, flooding and fires and more.

Then the risen Lord would come and appear to them

And call twelve apostles—good men whom he’d chosen.

For three generations they would recall that day

But then pride would settle in and they would lose their way.

1 Nephi 13

In his dream a woman that in all sin revels

Stands for a church that was founded by the devil.

Its members desire wealth, power and worldly praise

And in their pursuit they have destroyed many saints.

Nephi also saw how Columbus and his crew 

Landed in the New World in 1492.

Many more would follow, leaving their native lands,

Which led to the natives finding themselves smitten.

Nephi saw how they would fight Great Britain and they’d win

All because the Patriots would have the Lord with them.

Then he saw how, over time, the Bible would be changed;

Many parts would be removed that were precious and plain.

Many men would stumble, because of these great flaws

But The Book of Mormon would restore what was lost.

1 Nephi 14

Nephi saw our day and how so many would sin

You can't be a part of God’s church if you’re with them.

But if you are faithful, you surely will be blessed;

You’ll be armed with power, and armed with righteousness.

Then John the Beloved was presented to Nephi.

And the angel testified of all that John would write.

1 Nephi 15

When his vision ended, Nephi went to his tent

Soon he heard his brothers having an argument.

They were both confused by their father Lehi’s dream,

So they asked Nephi what it was supposed to mean.

Nephi bluntly asked them, “Have ye inquired of God?

“He’ll explain what’s meant by the tree and iron rod.”

When you have a question, just ask the Lord in prayer

He will surely answer and show you He’s aware!

Then Nephi explained what his father, Lehi, meant

By the scattered branches that would be grafted in.

The tree’s the House of Israel.  Their posterity

Would lose the gospel, just like branches taken from a tree.

But, Nephi assured them, in the future they’ll find

The gospel truths they lost; they’ll get strength from the true vine.

They’ll join the fold of God, knowing they’re Abraham’s seed

Just like branches grafted back into their mother tree.

Then they asked him questions about the tree and rod.

He explained and begged them to heed the word of God.

Next, they asked their brother, “What does the river mean?”

Nephi told them that it was a gulf separating

All those who are wicked from saints and from the tree.

It’s called hell: a place made for those who are filthy.

1 Nephi 8-10

1 Nephi 8

Lehi had a vision.  It’s called the “Tree of Life.”

He felt reassured for Sam, Nephi and his wife.

He was not as certain about his older sons;

He was worried they’d go astray in the long run.

In his dream, Lehi saw a tree covered with fruit

And countless concourses of people in pursuit.

They followed a rod made of iron to the tree.

Anyone who tasted the fruit became happy. 

Sadly, some people in the dream would not partake;

They released the rod—they had chosen to forsake. 

Some were lost in darkness and some wandered nearby 

To a massive building that stood up in the sky.

Later, Nephi learned what this building symbolized;

It’s the scornful wisdom of the world and its pride.

Those inside might feel superior in those walls

But it will not last—someday great will be its fall.

When he asked the meaning of the tree and iron rod,

Nephi learned they symbolized the Love and Word of God.

If we read the scriptures and we heed the prophet’s word

We will feel God’s Love; our salvation is assured. 

1 Nephi 9

Nephi made two records to keep their history

One for wars, the other’s about their ministry.

Though he wasn’t sure of the plan that God devised, 

He trusted the plates served a purpose that was wise.

1 Nephi 10

Lehi prophesied of the Jews’ captivity

And about the Savior who’d set his people free.

He saw John the Baptist in vision and he knew 

Jesus would be baptized, so we should do it, too.

Next he said the house of Israel would be scattered

All throughout the earth before they would be gathered.

Like a tree whose branches were cut and then returned

All the tribes will gather, once gospel truths are learned.

Once again, Nephi asked the Lord if this was true.

God answered his prayer and he’ll do the same for you.

1 Nephi 1-7

1 Nephi 1

Well before he explained his record’s true intent, 

Nephi made it known that he had goodly parents.

Sariah was his mother and Lehi was his dad.

His brothers were named Laman, Lemuel and Sam.

Lehi was a prophet in old Jerusalem.

One day God told Lehi to prophesy to them.

When the people heard that they needed to repent

They rejected him and the message God had sent.

Don’t you worry!  God protected his family.

All His chosen people receive tender mercies.

1 Nephi 2

Lehi soon decided his family couldn’t stay;

God had warned him that his loved ones were in harm’s way.

Laman convinced Lemuel the move was a mistake.

They thought that their dad’s prophecies just might be fake.

When he was confused by his older brothers’ spite,

Nephi prayed to God, and he learned his dad was right.

1 Nephi 3

God commanded Lehi to have his sons return 

To go get the brass plates so that their kids could learn.

Though his older brothers refused to follow through,

Nephi was determined and said he’d “go and do.”

Not only did Laban refuse to give the plates,

He stole their possessions, so Laman was irate.

He and Lemuel took out their rage on poor Nephi.

God sent them an angel and said to trust on high.

1 Nephi 4

Nephi was encouraged and knew that this was true. 

Though he didn’t know beforehand what he should do,

Following the Spirit, he came across Laban.

Heavenly Father told him he’d have to kill this man.

Nephi’s family needed the plates to read God’s laws;

Though each life is precious, this was a righteous cause.

To preserve a nation, he followed God’s command

And recruited Zoram to join their little band

1 Nephi 5

Though Sariah worried, her sons came back alive.

She had doubted Lehi, so she apologized.

Lehi said the plates would go forth to all the earth.

He and Nephi knew that the plates were of “great worth.” 

1 Nephi 6

Nephi felt inspired that he needed to create 

Records of his people—another set of plates.

Nephi didn’t want his record to be too broad;

These plates were intended to bring men unto God.

1 Nephi 7

Heavenly Father knows families bring joy to our lives,

So he sent Nephi and his brothers back for wives.

When they met Ishmael and found favor in his sight,

Ishmael’s family wanted to join them in their flight.

Each son found a wife as the group made their return.

Some got mad at Nephi—they never seem to learn!

Laman bound his brother with cords around his hands.

Nephi prayed and God gave him strength to break the bands.  

Though the cords had cut him, Nephi did not condemn

Any who had hurt him.  He frankly forgave them.  

Introductory Pages

Title Page

Many ancient records and journals were combined

So this special book could be read by all mankind.

What is this book’s purpose?  The Book of Mormon tries

To convince all people that Jesus is the Christ.

Introduction

Like the Bible, this book is scripture and you’ll see

It’s written by revelation and prophecy.  

The most important part of the Book of Mormon’s when

Jesus comes and He teaches gospel truths to them.

It’s the most correct book of any found on earth

Like a keystone, it’s irreplaceable in worth.

We invite all men everywhere to read this book

Ponder its message and then ask God if it’s true. 

Those who pray about it in faith will come to know

That it’s true by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Testimony of Three Witnesses

Three men testified of the Book of Mormon’s truth,

They had seen the plates and an angel so they knew.

Oliver Cowdery

David Whitmer

Martin Harris

Testimony of Eight Witnesses

Eight more men declared that they also saw the plates

They never denied this.  Their words will never fade. 

Christian Whitmer

Jacob Whitmer

Peter Whitmer, Jun.

John Whitmer

Hiram Page

Joseph Smith, Sen.

Hyrum Smith

Samuel H. Smith

The Testimony of Joseph Smith

One night I was praying and then I saw a light.

Soon I saw an angel whose name was Moroni.

He told me that all men would come to know my name

And he told me where I would find the golden plates.

He would share the same message with me two more times

And then the night was over, the sun began to shine.

I was far too tired when I tried to do my chores

When I fell the angel appeared to me once more.

“Go and tell your father of everything you’ve heard.”

I obeyed and Father believed me, every word.

I went to the hill that the angel had described

And I found the box with the golden plates inside.

When I tried to take them, Moroni told me no.

I was not quite ready, I needed four years more.

Four years later, I saw what Moroni had meant.

Once I had the plates, my trials became intense.