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"After This Manner of Langauge", 1 Nephi 3:9-27

1 Nephi 3:9-27

Nephi's response to his brothers upon Laman's failure to obtain the Brass Plates demonstrates an understanding of the purpose of their mission, even if he didn't know how he was to accomplish it. He is echoing his conviction, clearly stated at the front of the chapter ("I will go and do...[for]the Lord giveth no commandment... save he shall prepare a way"). Now in the heat of the moment when they were about turn back, his simple reminder ("...we will not go... until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.") gives them the strength to continue on their original course of action. (see 1 Nephi 3:7, 15)

Nephi was also wise to have a plan of action to support his determination to keep the Lord's commandments. Surely he was not trying to obtain marks in persuasive speaking techniques, but his matter-of-fact stance in reminding them why they were about this particular errand demonstrates Nephi's perspective of the situation and a long-term vision of where they were going -- this is something that his brothers did not have. Because of his obedience to the Lord's commandments, for Nephi, everything has its purpose and place.

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