Comments on 2 Nephi 4 v1-2 Nephi makes a parenthetical comment on the prophecies of Joseph ben Jacob, mentioning how great they are. Unfortunately for us, he simply refers us to the brass plates, which we don't presently have access to. An additional references is made about Joseph's prophecies in 10:1-2, and Alma 46:24 contains a prophecy by the ancient Jacob about the lineage Joseph. v3-7 After giving his blessing to Jacob, Lehi then turns his attention to his grandchildren through Laman, and asks them to listen to what he has to say to them (v. 3). He tells them the Lord has said that as long as they keep His commandments they will prosper, but if they do not they will be cut off (v. 4). This knowledge prompts Lehi to leave a blessing on these grandchildren, because he knows that if they are brought up right they will act right (v. 5). So, if they are cursed, it will be a result of them not being brought up right, and Lehi puts the curse on their parents for it (v. 6). And, because of this blessing of the transfer of the curse, the children led astray by their parents will not be annihilated, but will have the Lord's mercy (v. 7). Lehi's statements here are pretty harsh given Laman is probably standing right there. This blessing is why the Lamanites were preserved and the Nephites were annihilated. v6 Compare D&C 68:25-29, Moses 7:37. v8-9 Lehi summons his grandchildren through Lemuel and gives them the same blessing as he did those through Laman. v10 Lehi speaks to Ishmael's family, but nothing is recorded of what he tells them. As they were under the auspices of Ishmael, Lehi wasn't really in a position to bless them. v11 Lehi then blesses Sam and his family along with Nephi's because of their close association. v12-14 After Lehi had spoken to his family he shortly thereafter dies of old age (v. 12). Not long afterwards there is conflict between Nephi and his rebellious brothers (v. 13) as a result of him having to reprimand them according to the word of the Lord (v. 14). v12 "after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household", oddly enough, Nephi doesn't document any blessings upon himself or his family. Nephi is indirectly mentioned in 1:24-29, but that is it. From v. 11 and 3:25 we can guess what Lehi said about Nephi and his family, but it strikes me as odd Nephi didn't include it. Perhaps he omitted it because their fate was already discussed in 1 Ne. 12-14 and 1 Ne. 15:5. v15-35 Unlike the large plates (v. 14), on these small plates Nephi writes spiritual matters, the things of his soul (v. 15). Nephi then shows us what these things are with a rather long and pathos-filled psalm (v. 16-35). Note the psalm is bracketed by complaints against his brothers in v. 13-14 and 5:1. The psalm talks about his enemies and personal struggles which he pleads with the Lord about. We are informed in 5:1 that Nephi cried to the Lord over his brothers, so I would take v. 16-35 to be an example of his cries and equate "mine enemies" in v. 22 with "my brethren" in 5:1. Copyright © 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.