1Ne Ch17

This chapter contains the building of a ship so they can cross the water by Nephi when his brothers oppose him. It also has that cool story where he has the power of God and his brothers can't touch him.

In v1 we find out that they are traveling east and they had children during their journey. The women become stronger because they kept the commandments so the Lord nourished them so they stopped murmuring. The Lord provided for them while they traveled in righteousness (v2-3). 8 years they traveled, then they came to Bountiful, a place with "much fruit and also wild honey" (v4-5). It is located by the sea, and Nephi is commanded to construct a ship to cross the waters (v6-8).

Nephi asks where he can go to find materials to make tools to build the ship and is told (v9-10). In v12 I find in interesting that they have never needed fire before now, I wonder why The Lord wouldn't require then to cook their food. You could argue that the reason is in v13 when The Lord says, "after ye have arrived...ye shall know...that I, The Lord, did deliver you from destruction" (v14). Having to rely on The Lord in the wilderness was probably something that strengthens their faith.

Nephi is faithful still and begins to build the ship but his brothers doubt and mock him for thinking he can accomplish something so incredible (v15-17). They refuse to work and deny the power of The Lord which causes Nephi to be sorrowful, and this only encourages their thinking that they are right (v18). Their rant includes them wishing they had never left Jerusalem and saying those people were righteous (v19-23).

Nephi answers their rant by giving story examples from the brass plates such as Moses and his people getting out of Egypt (23-47). Also in there he chastises his brothers pretty harshly and explains he was only sad because they are so hard hearted. 

Like usual, they become angry because Nephi is right and called them out on it, so they want to hurt him. Nephi is filled with the power of God and commands they touch him not, nor murmur against Lehi, nor withhold their labor (v48-51). His brothers were wrought upon by the spirit to know what Nephi spake was true (v52). Then Nephi gets to shock his brothers! I mean, Nephi is commanded to show forth the power of God to his brothers by shocking them so they will know The Lord their God (v53-55). As they started to worship Nephi for the power of God within him, he refuses and shows his love for them and God (v55).

All praises for my goodness goes to my God. If I ever do anything of worth is will be because The Lord helped me. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ, for all they have already done for me.