1 Nephi 10

1 Nephi 10

1 Nephi 10:  1-6

things of my father and brethern.......................Nephi wants to make sense of his family division
made an end............................................Lehi ends his speech about the dream and his family situation
great city destroyed..................................the prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem and enslavement
return again.............................................the enslavement period will eventually end
possess the land......................................the nation will be reestablished
600 years, a Messiah....................................Christ will be born in 600 years
the Redeemer..........................................because of mankind's fallen state, the Redeemer necessary
how many.............................................the prophets all point to the Christ, everyone of them

Lehi teaches his sons what will take place for the next 600 years.

1 Nephi 10: 7-10

a forerunner to the Christ..................................John the Baptist
Prepare ye the way.............................................His mission was to prepare the world for Christ's ministry
I am not worthy..........................................this great prophet will teach with great humility
he standeth................................................will be a contemporary of the Messiah prophet
baptize in Bethabara..........................................a prophecy of the Aaronic Priesthood.  A great "bishop"
baptize the Messiah...........................................his great calling,
the great sign..............................................John the Baptist will recognize the Lord and receive a witness
take away the sins of the world............................Christ will redeem all his true followers

Lehi mentions the culmination of the work of the faith/religion before the advent of the Lord.  John will finish off the pre-Messianic age, the greatest of all the prior prohets.  At the moment of the Lord's arrival to his mission, he will receive a witness.

1 Nephi 10: 11-12

dwindling in unbelief.....................................the children of Israel will have strayed far from the gospel
slain the Messiah.........................................these children will actually kill the Messiah
rise from the dead.....................................Christ will be the first to resurrect
manifest in the Spirit.......................................the Holy Ghost will make the Lord known to true seekers

The earthly mission of the Lord will end in the Lord's death and resurrection.  These necessary events will lead the way for all men to enjoy the atonement.

1 Nephi 10: 13-16

what is expedient.......................................Nephi can write more.  He elects not to.  He will chose what he feels is necessary for his record
house scattered......................................many years into the future, the children of Israel will be scattered all over the earth
Olive tree...............................................a symbol of the House of Israel.  Many parables about the olive
in a tent.................................................this event, like others, occurs during the first encampment

Some of the purpose of Nephi's writings in the record are to aid in the reassembling of the House of Israel at a much later date.

1 Nephi 10: 17-

Nephi curious.........................................seeks a spiritual witness of what he has learned
gift of the Holy Ghost................................a gift predicated on the diligence of the person who seeks the Spirit
same yesterday, today, and forever.......................the Lord words according to the eternal law
repent............................................Universally decreed to be the foundation for forgiveness and eternal life
shall find........................................promise, those diligent receive the witness
mysteries of God.............................can tap into eternal blessings that surpass all earthly gifts
eternal round....................................it doesn't matter when one does this,  all may experience it
remember justice................................the Lord will judge all men.  therefore repent and receive forgiveness
sought to do wickedly..........................if a person has not intention of repenting, he will suffer
no unclean thing..................................only the forgiven can stand blameless before God
Holy Ghost gives authority........................the witness of Nephi borne.  We can have the same

Nephi makes it clear how he heard the teachings of his father and received a witness about it.  He has a testimony in Christ and the other details about his future coming and purpose.  He expounds that all people can receive a similar testimony through the Holy Ghost.  Ultimately, we need the testimony for the Savior to perfect our eternal lives.

This chapter makes it clear that the Book of Mormon is primarily about gaining and maintaining a testimony of the Lord and his mission.

1 Nephi 9

1 Nephi 9

1 Nephi 9: 1-6

a great many more..............................................many things are taught and learned during encampment
plates................................record on metal plates, described as brass
plates of Nephi.................................takes responsibility and ownership of the plates
make plates.......................................Nephi given instructions to make plates and record on them
ministry...............................................particular assignment, record sacred things
others of kings........................................a secular history to also be recorded
wise purpose in him...............................obeying the commandments without a clear understanding why
He has all power..............................trust in the commandments, even when not understanding

A short chapter that explains Nephi's role as a record keeper.  He makes and he records according to the instructions.  He keeps dual records, without understanding why.

1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8: 1-4

gather seeds......................................preparations made for their long journey
dreamed a dream, vision............................Hebraism, a dreamer or visionary working within his calling
Nephi and Sam and children........................Lehi receives comfort about two of his sons
Laman and Lemuel................................very distraught over the message of the other 2 sons
dark and dreary....................................the symbolism surrounding the families of Laman and Lemuel

The prophet Lehi receives a message concerning the future spiritual welfare of his family

1 Nephi 8: 5-18

saw a man................................................in the dream, Lehi visited by angel messenger
bade me follow...........................................instruction to pay attention, to follow
journey in darkness...................................sees a lot of unsettling images
prays for delivery........................................the prophet looks for promising imagery.  Disturbed
sees a field.....................................................a wide open are,  immediate answer
tree and fruit...............................................Lehi sees a much different image,  something desirable
did partake............................................Lehi enjoying the better future, very happy with it
concern for family.....................................symbolically Lehi receives the promise.  Wants it for his family
cast eyes..............................................tries to locate his family.  Makes efforts to understand family
tree and river...........................................more symbolism, not explained
sees wife, 2 sons............................................Lehi sees a division within his family
call to join.............................................Lehi invites his family to enjoy the fruit
they do...................................................Indicates the believing side of his family
Laman, Lemuel, would not come.........................different response from the other children

In Lehi's vision, he receives spiritual confirmation and warning about the state and future of his family.  This manifestation both pleases him and deeply disturbs him.  Some of his family receives Eternal life, but some fail and don't desire it.

Nephi 8: 19-28

rod of iron......................................a "highway" to the fruit
straignt and narrow way that leads......................................the correct use of the rod leads men to eternal life.
numberless concourse...........................the vision is enlarged.  The key components apply to all people
did come forward..................................likewise, all men come forward and receive the test
mist of darkness........................................the common experience, men manuever the darkness
some cling to the end.................................many people cling to the path and arrive to the correct place
partake and look around...................................many enjoy, they look around,  why?  different answers
spacious building........................................symbolizes the reaction of many men to contrast with those who arrive
were ashamed........................................wrong response for someone who receives the fruit,  apostasy
filled with people, fake behavior.............................the building is not filled with genuine believers.  facades
fell away..............................................those who join this group are lost.  Deluded with their achievements.

Many people are tricked and fooled by the temptations of wealth and related "successes."  If not grounded in the gospel of Christ, they become all involved in the floating building and end up falling from the protections of the spirit.

1 Nephi 8: 29-34

multitudes................................................those who find the gospel are many
many go to the building......................................these two divisions are very large, perhaps the 2 biggest categories.
Many drowned.....................................some do not acheieve arrival in either category
did point and sorned.................................Many of those who get to the building are very accusatory and persuasive
those who heeded.....................................those who follow the way to the great building are lost

Those who choose the worldly goal are the most easily lost.  People move that direction and become lost before they even arrive.  Others arrive, and become deluded at that point.  They stand in stark contrast to those who choose and remain faithful to the gospel

1 Nephi 8: 35-38

Laman and Lemuel.......................................do not choose the fruit,  Responses upset Lehi
fears for them............................................Lehi uses the dream to warn his sons.  Shares his dream vision
exhorts with feeling......................................so disturbed that he takes tremendous care to teach them

Lehi centers on those who need the teaching most.  He attempts to change the warnings that seem to come from his vision.  The future of Laman and Lemuel are really disturbing to their father

1 Nephi 8

Nephi learns in a dream how the choices made by men and women as they encounter the choices of life will alter their futures.  If men choose the good and stay in that way they arrive at the fruit of eternal life.  If they hearken to the other voices and promises, it pulls them from the right way and compromise their futures.  Lehi is particularly disturbed by the prophetic message of his own family.  As a prophet he uses the message immediately to teach his family.

1 Nephi 7

1 Nephi 7

1 Nephi 7: 1-5

End of prophesying.............................................Lehi teaches his children and forecasts the future
daughters.................................a need for wives for his sons.
bring Ishmael and family................even the name of the family is told
did gain favor........................the boys become friends to Ishmael's family
softened................................Ishmael accepts the invitation and joins with the boys

The Lord tells Lehi exactly whom to invite and the invitation is accepted.

1 Nephi 7: 6-15

did rebel...................................Ishmael's family similar to Lehi's.  A great division in the group
desirous............................had every intention.
calls upon the hard hearted...........................the rebellious want to leave.  Nephi reproaches them.
forgotten.............................hard to believe, but they forget the spiritual lessons
Laban incident......................they don't even see the sacred nature of the help
exercise faith..........................the only thing they need to do
you will know...........................the Lord will let them know at the appropriate time.  Have patience
Spirit ceaseth.........................warning of the Lord concerning Jerusalem.  Not the place to go.
you choose...............................you know the truth.  Exercise faith.

The younger brother must step forward and correct his brothers.  They are so out of line that they are forgetting all the positive lessons of the past.

1 Nephi 7: 16-20

bind him................................the brothers have every intention of getting rid of Nephi.  Too troublesome to them
prayer to burst bands............................Nephi has the faith that he wants brothers to exercise
loosed............................................Nephi is freed.  He attributes it to his prayer
angered again................................Once free, the brothers again angry.  Intend to bind him again.
did plea...............................looks like the majority side with Nephi
sorrowful...............................the brother break down.  Ask forgiveness

The brothers become so upset with Nephi that they intend to recapture him, even forgetting the past events, and not considering that Nephi had been loosed by direct divine intervention

1 Nephi 7: 21-22

again travel...................................the group moves until they meet the encampment
gave thanks.................................the whole group celebrates the arrival of Ishmael's family

Once again, when the mission is completed, the group offers sacrifice and express gratitude to
God

1 Nephi 7

This chapter shows another insight of God about the party and its future.  They will need wives, so Ishmael and his family are summoned to join with the son's of Lehi.  The reader gets a little faith and prayer lesson, how important it is to rely on God and to hold onto his promises.

1 Nephi 6

1 Nephi 6

1 Nephi 6: 1-6

no genealogy................................since his father wrote it, he will not
of Joseph.....................................broad tribal identification
fulness of purpose..............................he has only one goal
pleasing unto God................................his entries are doing according to God, doesn't car about opinions
commandment.............................other writers should do the same

This short chapter indicates the focus that Nephi intends to have in his writing.

1 Nephi 5

1 Nephi 5

1 Nephi 5: 1-8

mother exceedingly glad.............................idiomatic, unusually happy
accuses of being visionary.........................sounds mocking here, described as Laman and Lemuel do
manner of language..............................she is upset and uses the same types of arguments used all ready
I know...........................................Lehi admits his "visionary" pattern, but bears witness it is of God
he does not sound worried.
comforts his wife..................................his words are full of faith, and he manages to calm her
the return........................................the mother is even more comforted.  She offers up declarations of faith and of joy

This short narrative illustrates the misapprehensions of a distraught wife and mother. Her faith is shaken, but is restored.

1 Nephi 5: 9-17

offer thanks and sacrifice........................Lehi's first reaction
Lehi took the records.............................Lehi takes the occasion to read from the record
contents......................................books of Moses, Adam and Eve, histories down to that current time
Jeremiah................................a contemporary to Lehi
genealogy..................................Lehi's family is recorded.  He belongs to the tribe of Joseph
freedom from slavery.............................the story of the Exodus
Laban..........................................a relative, also of the same family
filled with prophecy.............................from the record, and from his own experiences, Lehi prophecies beyond even the book, concerning his descendants and the promised land.

Lehi studies the book.  He comes to a knowledge of his people and his family.  The record strengthens him and opens himself to be taught by the Spirit

1 Nephi 5: 18-22

record to be published to many times and places..................Lehi sees the future dissemination of the record
I had kept commandments..........................Nephi at peace with himself, in harmony with the Lord
desirable records...........................Nephi begins to see the great significance of the brass records
wisdom of the Lord.......................the family begins to understand how important the record will be in the future

Nephi and his family have a sublime time of joy.  The mission is accomplished and the family is full of spiritual manifestations of the future value of the record.

1 Nephi 4

1 Nephi 4

1 Nephi 4:  1-3

Lord is mightier......................................reminder of the omnipotence and helpfulness of God
strong like Moses............................remember the narratives,  trust them
angel hath spoken.........................recipients of an obvious spiritual manifestation, trust it
Lord about to deliver..............................call to action

To gain strength and faith for difficult situations, we need to "remember."

1 Nephi 4: 4-7

wroth, murmur.........................................the brothers complain and act in anger
hide themselves....................................if they won't help, hide them safely
I crept.............................................he has fear, but he goes
led by Spirit, not knowing...................................sometimes it's more important to show up
I went forth...............................................He did what he said he would do
found a man........................................He is led directly where he should go

The Spirit requires action.  By starting the journey, he is led, directly to the place he needed to go.  He also safely hid his less courageous brothers.

1 Nephi 4: 8-13

found Laban...............................................he recognizes the very person he needed
the sword........................................reveals Laban as a powerful military leader at his time
constrained by the spirit.......................interesting word. Nephi is required to act.  Spiritual obligation
I shrunk...........................................take courage, even when the commandment goes against core values
the Lord has delivered....................................when the Lord prepares, the servant obeys
sought thy own life....................................he tried to kill you
he would not follow commandment...............................the man has broken faith with God
taken property...........................................he is a thief
Slay him...................................................a blunt order from the Spirit.
better for one than a nation.....................................Justified death in terms of the man's treachery and evil

This section has long led to academic discussions about the ethics and appropriateness of Nephi's killing of Laban.  At least from the narrative, the killing is perfectly legal in a spiritual sense.  The Spirit has justified it.  Like the offering of Isaac on the altar, and the other ultimate tests of religious narrative, this story places Nephi in a category apart.

1 Nephi 4: 14-18

I remembered.........................................his own sermon to his brothers comes back to educate him
need the law............................................must sometimes act according to the rules of the Law of Moses, even when it is not pleasant
need the law.............................................the same expression holds for those who will receive the record
purpose of his finding of Laban......................the Spirit lets him know that this is the way to get the plates
he acts........................................the spiritual logic and impressions lead Nephi to kill Laban with his sword

Nephi acts.  The act will change the rest of his life profoundly.

1 Nephi 4: 19-27

girded in the armor.......................................his Spirit-driven continues  He is drawn to imitate Laban
went to the treasury...................Nephi goes directly to the place where he will find the record.
commanded in the voice of Laban.........................Nephi either had this talent to imitate, or Laban had a such an idiosyncratic type voice that it was easy to imitate
he supposed.................................the servant of Laban does not question Laban's identity
the conversation......................................Nephi able to have a continuing conversation with the servant without detection.
carry the engravings and follo...........................the servant actually assists in the removal of the record.  Nothing is spoken about any other removals, particularly Lehi's property

The Spirit makes it simple to obtain the record and to transfer it to Lehi's family.  The servant doesn't even question Nephi's actions.

1 Nephi 4: 28-35

reactions of the brothers..........................the imitation of Laban is so convincing that the brothers assume Nephi has been killed
calls for them.....................................they are stopped and realize the presence of Nephi
servant's reaction......................................now it is the servants turn to fear
the oath...............................................the servant is given an opportunity to join Nephi and the family.  Does he have a choice?  He is given a promise of equal status.
teaches him.........................................Nephi even gives his an opportunity to make a spiritual conversion
Zoram agrees..............................................This man, with little actual force, joins the family of Nephi

The disguise almost backfires.  However as the events continue to develop, another member of the migration is brought into play.

1 Nephi 4: 35-

tarry with us....................................he is made an honored guest.  They do not want him to return to the city.  He could be their undoing.
Zoram's oath.................................he become an integral member of their community.  They do not fear him at all
return to the tent..................................they journey home.

Zoram become a worrisome issue.  But he actually joins with them.  This brings up many questions about his motivations and his relationship to Laban.  It sounds like he was more a slave than anything else, and his emancipation offers him a far better future.

The chapter:

Nephi offers this narrative to us so that we can understand the tremendously difficult decisions that he went through to follow the dictates of the Spirit.  As he continued, he found the events fell miraculously into line, each item working to the future success of his life and to the establishing of his family in America.  He makes no apologies for his behavior.  He triumphs in accomplishing his duty.  I think that this story would become a permanent controversy concerning himself.

1 Nephi 3

1 Nephi 3

1 Nephi 3: 1-4

speaking in the tent..............................Nephi has a private conversation with his father
Lord has commanded........................Nephi learns that he has duty assigned to him
plates of brass..........................Lehi's description of the record,  family and religious history
Laban..................................the family member in possession of the record

Nephi is called, along with his brothers to retrieve the family record from Laban.  They should travel back to the Jerusalem area to get them and bring them back.

1Nephi 3: 5-6

murmur hard thing.............................the brothers do not want to go, consider it impossible or unlikely
commandment.................................they misunderstand--that it is not a request but a divine commandment
favored....................................divine assistance, because the attitude is correct

Nephi's reception of the commandment contrasts dramatically with his brothers' negative complaining attitudes.  Lehi believes that those who faithfully fulfill assignments receive divine help

1 Nephi 3:  7-8

will prepare a way..................the Lord does not ask servants to do impossible things
exceedingly glad......................Lehi feels assurance.  His son eases his mind and demonstrates faith.

Occasionally the Lord manifests the faith of others through the spirit.  We can know that we have reached through.

1 Nephi 3:  9-14

consult.........................the brothers, once arriving at the destination, talk together to make a plan
cast lots......................allow the lots to determine who will act out the decisions
Laman goes to Laban....................the oldest brother is first to act.  He goes
thrust out......................Laban throws Laman out, makes accusations
exceedingly sorrowful................discouraged, unwilling, dismissive

The first attempt does not succeed.  Laman wants to stop the mission immediately.

1 Nephi 3: 15-20

will accomplish..................Nephi has a conviction of the mission, refuses to cave in
father's inheritance..............Nephi will use the family fortune to get the record.
destruction, wickedness....................Nephi considers the fortune worthless because of the curse on the land
father flees..........................Lehi has abandoned the fortune, worthless
to preserve.......................the record is essential to the family's future prosperity
wisdom in God.........................He who knows all wants the family to have the record.
prophets and Spirit......................the record will establish the family

Nephi explains the importance of the mission in a much more profound way than earlier.  The record is an essential, and the mission is divine.  Sometimes people need these deeper facts in order to make commitments.

1 Nephi 3: 21-27

persuade...................after a strong teaching moment, the brothers agree to try again
did gather.....................Nephi oversees the preparation of his father's wealth for the transaction
they bring to Laban....................Laban allows these brothers to make the deal
lust.............................Laban decides to take the fortune without the swap, by force
did flee......................they must flee to avoid capture and death
did not overtake.....................they escape and hid

The transaction goes badly, exposing the wickedness of Laban.  

1 Nephi 3: 28

hard words, strike with rod...................the older brothers angry.  Begin to abuse the younger brothers
angel.....................divine messenger intervenes and rebuffs the older brothers
questioning..................the messenger has the boys explain themselves, take responsibility
ruler.........................angel tells them that Nephi is their leader
murmur......................despite the intervention the brothers complain
deliver Laban...........................they expect this to end in a fight that they cannot win

The older brothers do not like the mission.  They see the whole affair to be worthless.  They see the ruination of the family wealth and the deceit of Laban as too difficult.  They are abusive and infuriated.  Nephi stands his ground

1 Nephi 3

This chapter illustrates the mission and the initial attempts to accomplish it.  It does not simply come to them.  They go from bad to worse, and their resolve is deeply tested.  Faithful people will seek new ways to accomplish their missions, and if determined will find a way.

1 Nephi 2

1 Nephi 2

1 Nephi 2:  1-3

Blessed ..............in harmony with God's will
Commanded in a dream........................revelation that warns him
obedient, wherefore.......................the evidence of obedience was compliance

Lehi recognizes a message from God, and he responds to it.

1 Nephi 2:  4-10

takes nothing with him save................he deliberately abandons everything except what he needs to travel in the desert
with his family..............he takes his immediate family with him
river of water..............some Middle Eastern rivers are dry.  This one has water
alter, prayer......................he constructs a place to offer up sacrifice
river Laman..........................uses the river to teach a son
valley Lemuel.....................teaches another son

Beginning the journey.  This father uses the river and valley to teach lessons to two of his sons.  We learn they are troublesome throughout the narrative, and this is known from the beginning.

1 Nephi 2: 11-13

stiffnecked.............................one proud and unwilling to change
murmur.............................vocal complaining
visionary man....................................."too" idealistic
foolish imaginations.....................................believing in delusions
knew not the dealings...................................do not understand spiritual manifestations
like the Jews who tried to destroy their father....................... their thinking and complaints were similar to the inhabitants of Jerusalem

This commentary gives the reader a look into the attitudes of Lehi's two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel.  They seem to work in tandem, crossing him together and mirroring the very attitudes of the wicked Jews that Lehi left behind.  Their greatest complaint strikes at Lehi's spirituality because it deprives them of worldly things.

1 Nephi 2: 14-18

spoke with power...............................Lehi has the gift of speaking and it is accompanied with spirtual witness
their frames did shake.........................idiomatic, they were moved deeply
confound them.....................................they had no effective arguments
dwelt in a tent..........................................assumed leadership in a nomad lifestyle
large in stature........................................Nephi is unusually large for his age
desires to know the mysteries of God.............................actively seeks to understand the religion
cry to the Lord.....................................he prays
soften my heart..................................idiomatic, Nephi is being converted, gaining a witness
believed the words of his father.......................Nephi accepts the teachings of Lehi
manifested........................................Nephi teaches what he has learned to Sam, his brother
hardness of heart..............................unwilling and resistant to conversion and accepting

This section illustrates the differences between those who gain testimonies or witnesses and those who don't.  It works with the idiom of hardening or softening of the heart.  Nephi's conviction works with Sam but not with Laman or Lemuel.

1 Nephi 2: 19-

sought me diligently.........................the Lord accepts those who seek for him
lowliness of heart............................humbly
shall prosper..................................the Lord will bless abundantly
land of promise..............................you are going to receive a place to live in  and establish
choice above all others.............................this land is unusually productive
cut off......................................Lord will reject and cease to assist
ruler and teacher.............................Nephi will have a role of teaching and governing them
curse them................................rebellion will lead to a judgement against them
no power to overcome except for rebellion.........................blessings do not come to any who rebel
serve as a scourge.......................the children will be used as a tool to keep Nephi's children in line

Nephi receives a direct promise and mission from the Lord, and it will even extend well into the future and affect his children

The second chapter of Nephi shows that the Lord gives the vision to his servant Lehi, but also his faithful son Nephi.  This duality of witness will take much of the burden from Lehi's mind and prepare Nephi to assume authority after the death of his father.  The chapter explains how important prayer and attitude are for the development of spiritual strength.

1 Nephi1

1  Nephi 1: 1-3


I, Nephi...............personal narrative
goodly parents...............many goods, wealthy............possible double entendre
highly favored.................realizes outstanding relationship with God
mysteries of God............knows how sacred things work
therefore taught................educated according to status and family
make a record..............composing a personal history

Tightly written preface to his subsequent writings

1 Nephi 1: 4-5
It came to pass...................most obvious redundancy of the Book of Mormon
......................Point starter, marks the beginning of a narrative
first year of Zedekiah.............dates beginning around 600BC
prophets prophesying................a pivotal time period, prophets sent to warn, encourage
father prayed................Lehi a prophet, affected by the events, looks for divine guidance

Gives context for the event that sets the highlights for Nephi's personal history

1Nephi  1: 6-8
pillar of fire...........................obvious presence of divine visitation
did tremble and quake.....................message overwhelming
overcome by the spirit....................so overcome, requires additional rest and understanding
...................shakes his world view
thought he saw...............not quite willing to call it a transfiguration, but will call it divine message
saw the heavens open..............message far beyond his initial expecatation

Lehi has a spiritual moment that will change him forever.

1 Nephi 1: 9-11
1 leader....................the divine messenger acting in authority
12 others........................priesthood number, will involve priesthood duties
gave him a book.....................the will of heaven.  Lehi to heed.

1Nephi 1: 12-13
filled with Spirit.....................Lehi learns more than is written through divine communication, pure knowledge
wo wo..................serious warning for the people of Jerusalem (the nation ruled from Jerusalem)
destroyed, perish by sword, enslavement....................a portent of swift and sudden national crisis

The duty of Lehi deals with a serious upcoming event.  God's intervention in the nation will affect all, Lehi included.

1 Nephi 1:  14-18
those who come unto thee...............Those whom God blesses have the advantage of God's help in times of                             trouble
whole heart was filled..................Lehi's reaction.  Both frightening and encouraging.
do not make a full account..................Nephi's left changed by the event.  The moment belonged to his father
...............Nephi will start here, but he will now move to his own narrative
abridgement................Lehi speaks for himself.  Nephi will shorten and summarize when it comes to his own account
he went forth.................Lehi followed the instructions................becomes a tireless prophet to the people

Nephi explains why he follows his father's narrative only to a point.  It appears that he gets so distracted by his father's story, that he fears he will lose his own, which he has a higher obligation to share, since his father has already written his own story.

1 Nephi 1: 19-20
did mock him................wrong reaction of the people.....mock.....make it a comedy
coming of Messiah................speaks with authority............teaches the message of God's son
they were angry................people take a very contrary stance on Lehi's message,  probaby against Messianic teaching
sought his life......................people plan to remove Lehi as an enemy of the people.  He is basically shunned
tender mercies...................the spiritually adept receive meaningful help. These divine interventions save and uphold  the faithful
power of deliverance....................Such an escape from trouble only possible with divine intervention

For Lehi to survive he must be removed from the system that is threatening him.  Nephi makes it clear that the removal is done with God's intervention

1 Nephi 1-- An introduction to the writings of Nephi.  He establishes the intense pressures that begin the narratives that will shape his own life.  Sometimes these things lead men to make choices that will eventually affect all those around them.