1 Nephi 16

1 Nephi 16

1 Nephi 16: 1-4

declared hard things...............................................feel personally attacked, offended
the wicked...........................................the guilty, those who know better.
justified...........................................take the side of those who meet the qualifications, who get it right
cutteth to the center.....................................very difficult to accept when it is stated bluntly
diligence..................................................work harder, no excuse for idleness

When Nephi has delivered his message, the brothers accuse him of getting too personal.  He let's them know that they have exposed their personal value systems, and they are not congruous with a believer.

1 Nephi 16: 5-8

great hopes.......................................this time the brothers appear to accept his critiques
the tent.......................................still in the first stage of their migration.
took wives........................................the families match up well for the intermarriage of brothers and daughters

Before the direction to begin on their migration, the brothers and Nephi make a kind of peace.  Nephi believes there might be a change of heart.

1 Nephi 16: 9-17

on the morrow....................................When the time to move comes, it is quite immediate
ball...................................................a device for direction is left for them
gathering...........................................all preparations are made for the migration, food, provisions
4 days............................................the family moves across the peninsula
bows and arrows................................procurement of fresh food
direction of the ball..................................instructions given.
another camp..........................................the move is strenuous, must rest up

The journey begins.  In this case Lord fives the family a Liahona to direct their journey and to give them protection.  What is it?

1 Nephi 16: 18-28

breaks bow...............................................an expensive bow breaks.  Leaves the family in trouble since the others had alread become obsolete
want of food........................................fresh food has become a dire problem
murmur exceedingly....................................the brothers are unusually angry and complaining.  They do not see the justice of their complaints.
afflicted............................................they take no personal responsibility.  They place it all on Nephi
reminder...................................................Nephi again recounts and exposes the wrongness of their behavior
makes a wooden bow..........................Nephi finds his own solution and he respects the leadership of his father
humble themselves.................................the brothers are willing
chastened.................................................even Lehi had lost faith,  chastened by the lord.
consult the ball............................................the family had not looked where they were supposed to
faith and diligence.....................................the power of the ball is tied to the worthiness of the group

The situation of the family becomes perilous.  There are many of them, and they are hungry.  Nephi goes to the Lord for help, and he follows the correct path for respect.  Lehi is chastened for not following the commandments.  The family is set straight and told to follow the Liahona

1 Nephi 16: 29-

the mountain........................................since Nephi was seeking, he is the one given the answer
obtained food.........................................the food is easily obtained
traveled.....................................................the journey recommenses
Ishmael died, Nahum..........................................Nahum:  a place of sorrow
murmur...........................................................Ishmael loved, family begins to complain and gets nasty with Lehi
desirous to return..............................................the solution was to go back to Jerusalem.  Attacks on Lehi and Nephi
let us slay......................................................the brothers want to be rid of Nephi and Lehi.  They are willing to kill them rather than follow them
he says......................................................accuse Nephi of spinning the truth and of using trickery
Voice of the Lord came.................................the brothers chastised.  In some way they learn through divine means that they are completely wrong.
repent.......................................................the brothers accept this divine message and they abandon their murderous plot

The death of Ishmael forces the whole family to come to a better commitment towards the migration.  The Lord's voice settles the issue.  Their is a history of vacillation with the brothers.

1 Nephi 16

This chapter is a strong message about group cooperation, demonstrating those who help and those who hinder.  The stakes are elevated by the complaining, and by the crises that arise.  In the end, it is the Lord who heals the family, giving them the incentive to continue.  The vacillations indicate, that even with divine help, many differences continue to threaten the well being of the group.