Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/282

Nephi. work as to build a ship. Then Nephi recounted many things wherein the power of God had been manifested in the deliverance of their fathers; all of which he impressed upon them as a lesson that when God commanded, men should obey without doubt, or without question. Said he, "If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them. If He should command me that I should say to this water, Be thou earth, it would be earth. Then how much less is it to build one ship than to do the marvelous works of which I have told you."

At first when Nephi held out these great truths to his brethren, they were angry and threatened to throw him into the sea; but the Spirit of God was so powerfully upon him, that they dared not touch him lest they wither; even if he but held out his hand towards them, they received a shock.

After a time the Lord told him to stretch forth his hand again toward his brethren, and that they should not wither; but the power of God should smite them; and this he was commanded to do that they might know that the Lord was their God. So Nephi stretched forth his hand as he was commanded, and the Lord shook them as He had promised. Then they fell down to worship their younger brother, who in times past they had so much abused; but he would not permit them. He said, "I am your brother, even your younger brother, wherefore worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother."

Then the brothers of Nephi worshiped the Lord, and showed their repentance by helping Nephi to build the ship; while he, from time to time, received the word of the Lord as to how he should work its timbers; for he did not work after the manner of the ship-builders of that time, nor after any manner that men were accustomed to.