I have this feeling that this Nephi doesn't get as much credit as Nephi son of Lehi, just because he comes later in the book! I think Nephi 2.0 is a truly amazing prophet and this chapter shows that God things so as well because he is given the power to bind and loose on earth and in heaven.
After the fiasco with the trial over the murder of the chief judge, Nephi is still pretty depressed about the wickedness of the people and their constant fighting, so he heads home in a stupor of thought and is interrupted by the voice of God telling him he is blessed for all he has done to preach to the people (v1-4). The Lord tells him that he will always be blessed with power to do all things and have the constant presence of angels to watch over him as he uses his power to help him as he goes to declare the words of God to the people and bind or loose both things on earth and in heaven (v5-11). When Nephi had heard how the Lord has given him great power and a responsibility, he stopped going home and went back to the multitudes to declare the Lord's words and warn of destruction unless they repent (v12).
Even though he had proven his power by finding the judge's murderer, the people hardened their hearts when he came to tell them to repent of be smitten and tried to cast him into prison (v13-15). With the power of God, they were unable to imprison him and he went from multitude to multitude preaching the words of repentance to the Nephites for 3 years (v16-17). Unfortunately, no one listened and continued to contend and fight through the end of the 71st year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v18-19).
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