BoM Translation Guide



1 Nephi 2

1 Nephi 2:1 [LDS 6:1]
[And now] I, Nephi, [do <not> give] [the genealogy] [of my fathers] [in this] part [of my record;] neither [at any time] [shall I give it] after upon these plates which [I am writing;] for [it is given] [in the record] which [has been kept] [by my father;] [wherefore I do <not> write it] [in this] work.

1 Nephi 2:2 [LDS 6:2]
For [it sufficeth me] [to say] [that we are] [a descendant] [of Joseph.]

1 Nephi 2:3 [LDS 6:3] [Note]
[And it mattereth] not [to me] that [I am particular] [to give] [a <full> account] [of all] [the things] [of my father,] for [they can <not> be written] upon these plates, for [I desire] [the room] [that I may write] [of the things] [of God.]

1 Nephi 2:4 [LDS 6:4]
For [the fullness] [of mine intent] [is that I may persuade] men [to come] unto [the God] [of Abraham,] [and the God] [of Isaac,] [and the God] [of Jacob,] [and be saved.]

1 Nephi 2:5 [LDS 6:5]
[Wherefore the things] which [are pleasing] [unto the world,] [I do <not> write,] [but the things] which [are pleasing] [unto God] [and unto those who are] not [of the world.]

1 Nephi 2:6 [LDS 6:6] [Note]
Wherefore [I shall give commandment] [unto my seed,] [that they shall <not> occupy] these plates [with things] [which are] not [of worth] unto [the children] [of men.]

1 Nephi 2:7 [LDS 6:6] [Note]
[And now] [I would] [that ye might know,] that after [my father] Lehi [had made an end] [of prophesying] [concerning his seed,] [it came to pass] [that the Lord] spake [unto him] again, saying, [that it was] not meet [for him,] Lehi, [that he should take] [his family] [into the wilderness] alone; [but that his sons] [should take] daughters [to wife,] [that they might raise up] seed unto [the Lord] [in the land] [of promise.]

1 Nephi 2:8 [LDS 7:2]
[And it came to pass] [that the Lord] [commanded him] that I, Nephi, [and my brethren,] [should <again> return] unto [the land] [of Jerusalem,] [and bring down] Ishmael [and his family] [into the wilderness.]

1 Nephi 2:9 [LDS 7:3]
[And it came to pass] that I, Nephi, [[did <again,> <with> [my brethren,] go forth]] into [the wilderness] [to go up] [to Jerusalem.]

1 Nephi 2:10 [LDS 7:4]
[And it came to pass] [that we went up] unto [the house] [of Ishmael,] [and we did gain] favor [in the sight] [of Ishmael,] [insomuch that we did speak] [unto him] [the words] [of the Lord.]

1 Nephi 2:11 [LDS 7:5] [Note]
[And it came to pass] [that the Lord] [did soften] [the heart] [of Ishmael] [and also] [his household,] [insomuch that they took their journey] [with us] down [into the wilderness] to [the tent] [of our father.]

1 Nephi 2:12 [LDS 7:6]
[And it came to pass] [that as we journeyed] [in the wilderness,] behold Laman [and Lemuel,] [and two] [of the daughters] [of Ishmael,] [and the <two> sons] [of Ishmael,] [and their families,] [did rebel] [against us;] yea, [against me,] Nephi, [and Sam,] [and their father] Ishmael, [and his wife,] [[and his <three> <other> daughters. ]]

1 Nephi 2:13 [LDS 7:7]
[And it came to pass] [in the which] rebellion [they were desirous] [to return] unto [the land] [of Jerusalem.]

1 Nephi 2:14 [LDS 7:8] [Note]
[And now] I, Nephi, [being grieved] for [the hardness] [of their hearts,] therefore [I spake] [unto them,] saying, [yea,{incorrect punctuation} even] unto Laman [and unto] Lemuel, Behold [ye are mine <elder> brethren;] [and how is] it [that ye are so hard] [in your hearts,] [and so blind] [in your minds,] [that ye have need] that I, [your <younger> brother,] [should speak] [unto you,] yea, [and set] [an example] [for you?]

1 Nephi 2:15 [LDS 7:9]
[How is] it [that ye have <not> hearkened] unto [the word] [of the Lord?]

1 Nephi 2:16 [LDS 7:10]
[How is] it that [ye have forgotten] [that ye] [have seen] [an angel] [of the Lord?]

1 Nephi 2:17 [LDS 7:11]
Yea, [and how is] it that [ye have forgotten] what [great things] [the Lord] [hath done] [for us] [in delivering us] [out of the hands] [of Laban,] [and also] [that we should obtain] [the record?]

1 Nephi 2:18 [LDS 7:12]
Yea, [and how is] it that [ye have forgotten] [that the Lord] [is able] [to do] [all things] [according to his will,] [for the children] [of men,] [if it so be] [that they exercise] faith [in him;] wherefore [let us be faithful] [to him.]

1 Nephi 2:19 [LDS 7:13]
[And if it so be] [that we are faithful] [to him,] [we shall obtain] [the land] [of promise;] [and ye shall know] [at some <future> period] [that the word] [of the Lord] [shall be fulfilled] concerning [the destruction] [of Jerusalem;]

1 Nephi 2:20 [LDS 7:13]
[For all things] which [the Lord] [hath spoken] concerning [the destruction] [of Jerusalem] [must be fulfilled.]

1 Nephi 2:21 [LDS 7:14]
For behold, [the Spirit] [of the Lord] ceaseth soon [to strive] [with them;]

1 Nephi 2:22 [LDS 7:14]
For behold [they have rejected] [the prophets] [and Jeremiah] [have they cast] [into prison.]

1 Nephi 2:23 [LDS 7:14]
[And they have sought] [to take away] [the life] [of my father,] [insomuch that they have driven him] [out of the land.]

1 Nephi 2:24 [LDS 7:15]
Now behold, [I say] [unto you,] [that if] [ye will return] [unto Jerusalem] [ye shall <also> perish] [with them.]

1 Nephi 2:25 [LDS 7:15]
[And now,] if [ye have choice,] [go up] to [the land,] [and remember] [the words] which [I speak] [unto you,] [that if] [ye go] [ye will <also> perish;] [for thus] [the Spirit] [of the Lord] [constraineth me] [that I should speak.]

1 Nephi 2:26 [LDS 7:16]
[And it came to pass] [that when] I, Nephi, [had spoken] these words unto [my brethren] [they were angry] [with me.]

1 Nephi 2:27 [LDS 7:16]
[And it came to pass] [that they did lay] [their hands] [upon me-] for behold, [they were <exceeding> wroth-] [and they did bind me] [with cords,] for [they sought] [to take away] [my life,] [that they might leave me] [in the wilderness] [to be devoured] [by <wild> beasts.]

1 Nephi 2:28 [LDS 7:17]
[But it came to pass] [that I prayed] unto [the Lord,] saying, [O Lord,] [according to my faith] [which is] [in thee,] [wilt thou deliver me] [from the hands] [of my brethren;]

1 Nephi 2:29 [LDS 7:17]
[Yea,{incorrect punctuation} even] give me strength [that I may burst] [these bands] [with which] [I am bound.]

1 Nephi 2:30 [LDS 7:18]
[And it came to pass] [that when] [I had said] these words, behold, [the bands] [were loosed] [from off] [my hands] [and feet,] [and I stood] before [my brethren,] [and I spake] [unto them] again.

1 Nephi 2:31 [LDS 7:19]
[And it came to pass] [that they were angry] [with me] again, [and sought] [to lay] hands [upon me;]

1 Nephi 2:32 [LDS 7:19]
[But behold,] one [of the daughters] [of Ishmael,] yea, [and also] [her mother,] [and one] [of the sons] [of Ishmael,] [did plead] with [my brethren,] [insomuch that they did soften] [their hearts;] [and they did cease] striving [to take away] [my life.]

1 Nephi 2:33 [LDS 7:20]
[And it came to pass] [that they were sorrowful,] [because of their wickedness,] [insomuch that they did bow down] [before me,] [and did plead] [with me,] [that I would forgive them] [of the thing] that [they had done] [against me.]

1 Nephi 2:34 [LDS 7:21] [Note]
[And it came to pass] [that I did <frankly> forgive them] all [that they had done,] [and I did exhort them] [that they would pray] unto [the Lord] [their God] [for forgiveness.]

1 Nephi 2:35 [LDS 7:21]
[And it came to pass] [that they did] so.

1 Nephi 2:36 [LDS 7:21]
[And after] [they had done] praying unto [the Lord] [we did <again> travel] [on our journey] toward [the tent] [of our father.]

1 Nephi 2:37 [LDS 7:22]
[And it came to pass] that [we did come down] unto [the tent] [of our father.]

1 Nephi 2:38 [LDS 7:22]
[And after] I [and my brethren,] [and all] [the house] [of Ishmael,] [had come down] unto [the tent] [of my father,] [they did give thanks] unto [the Lord] [their God;]

1 Nephi 2:39 [LDS 7:22]
[And they did offer] sacrifice [and burnt offerings] [unto him.]

1 Nephi 2:40 [LDS 8:1]
[And it came to pass] [that we had gathered together] [all manner] [of seeds] [of every] kind; both [of grain] [of every] kind, [and also] [of the seeds] [of fruits] [of every] kind.

1 Nephi 2:41 [LDS 8:2]
[And it came to pass] [that while my father] tarried [in the wilderness] [he spake] [unto us,] saying, Behold, [I have dreamed] [a dream;] [or in other] words, [I have seen] [a vision.]

1 Nephi 2:42 [LDS 8:3]
[And behold,] [because of the thing which] [I have seen,] [I have reason] [to rejoice] [in the Lord] [because of Nephi,] [and also] [of Sam;] [for I have reason] [to suppose] [that they,] [and also] many [of their seed,] [will be saved.]

1 Nephi 2:43 [LDS 8:4]
[But behold,] Laman [and Lemuel,] [I fear] exceedingly [because of you;] for behold, methought [I saw] [in my dream] [a dark] [and <dreary> wilderness.]

1 Nephi 2:44 [LDS 8:5] [Note]
[And it came to pass] [that I saw] [a man,] [and he was dressed] [in a <white> robe;] [and he came] [and stood] [before me.]

1 Nephi 2:45 [LDS 8:6]
[And it came to pass] [that he spake] [unto me,] [and bade me] [follow him.]

1 Nephi 2:46 [LDS 8:7]
[And it came to pass] [that as I followed him,] [I beheld myself] [that I] was [in a dark] [and <dreary> waste.]

1 Nephi 2:47 [LDS 8:8] [Note]
[And after] [I had traveled] [for the space] [of <many> hours] [in darkness] [I began] [to pray] unto [the Lord,] that [he would have mercy on me] [according to the multitude] [of his tender mercies.]

1 Nephi 2:48 [LDS 8:9]
[And it came to pass] after [I had prayed] unto [the Lord,] [I beheld] [a large] [and <spacious> field.]

1 Nephi 2:49 [LDS 8:10]
[And it came to pass] [that I beheld] [a tree,] [whose fruit] was desirable [to make <one> happy.]

1 Nephi 2:50 [LDS 8:11]
[And it came to pass] that [I did go forth] [and partake] [of the fruit thereof;] [and I beheld] that [it was most sweet] [above all] that [I ever before] tasted.

1 Nephi 2:51 [LDS 8:11]
Yea, [and I beheld] [that the fruit thereof] was white, [to exceed] all [the whiteness] that [I had <ever> seen.]

1 Nephi 2:52 [LDS 8:12]
[And as I partook] [of the fruit thereof,] [it filled] [my soul] [with <exceeding> <great> joy;]

1 Nephi 2:53 [LDS 8:12]
[Wherefore I began] [to be desirous] that [my family] [should partake] [of it] also; for [I knew] that [it was] desirable [above all] other fruit.

1 Nephi 2:54 [LDS 8:13] [Note]
[And as I cast] [my eyes] [round about,] [that perhaps] [I might discover] [my family] also, [I beheld] [a river] [of water;] [and it ran along,] [and it was near] [the tree] [of which] [I was partaking] [the fruit.]

1 Nephi 2:55 [LDS 8:14]
[And I looked] [to behold] [from whence] [it came;] [and I saw] [the head thereof] [a little] [way off;]

1 Nephi 2:56 [LDS 8:14]
[And at the head thereof] [I beheld] [your mother] Sariah, [and Sam,] [and Nephi;] [and they stood] [as if they knew] not whither [they should go.]

1 Nephi 2:57 [LDS 8:15]
[And it came to pass] [that I beckoned] [unto them;] [and I <also> did say] [unto them] [with a <loud> voice] [that they should come] [unto me] [and partake] [of the fruit,] [which was] desirable [above all] other fruit.

1 Nephi 2:58 [LDS 8:16]
[And it came to pass] [that they did come] [unto me,] [and partake] [of the fruit] also.

1 Nephi 2:59 [LDS 8:17]
[And it came to pass] [that I was desirous] [that Laman] [and Lemuel] [should come] [and partake] [of the fruit] also;

1 Nephi 2:60 [LDS 8:17]
[Wherefore,{incorrect punctuation} I cast] [mine eyes] [towards the head] [of the river,] [that perhaps] [I might see them.]

1 Nephi 2:61 [LDS 8:18]
[And it came to pass] [that I saw] them, [but they would <not> come] [unto me,] [and partake] [of the fruit.]

1 Nephi 2:62 [LDS 8:19]
[And I beheld] [a rod] [of iron;] [and it extended] along [the bank] [of the river,] [and led] [to the tree] [by which] [I stood.]

1 Nephi 2:63 [LDS 8:20]
[And I <also> beheld] [a straight] [and <narrow> path,] which [came along] [by the rod] [of iron,] [even to] [the tree] [by which] [I stood;]

1 Nephi 2:64 [LDS 8:20]
[And it <also> led] by [the head] [of the fountain] [unto a large] [and <spacious> field,] [as if it had been a world;]

1 Nephi 2:65 [LDS 8:21] [Note]
[And I saw] numberless concourses [of people,] many [of whom] [were pressing forward,] [that they might obtain] [the path] [which led] [unto the tree] [by which] [I stood.]

1 Nephi 2:66 [LDS 8:22]
[And it came to pass] [that they did come forth] [and commence] [in the path] [which led] [to the tree.]

1 Nephi 2:67 [LDS 8:23]
[And it came to pass] [that there arose] [a mist] [of darkness;] [yea,{incorrect punctuation} even] [an <exceeding> <great> mist] [of darkness,] [insomuch that they who] [had commenced] [in the path] [did lose] [their way,] [that they wandered off] [and were lost.]

1 Nephi 2:68 [LDS 8:24]
[And it came to pass] [that I beheld] others [pressing forward,] [and they came forth] [and caught hold] [of the end] [of the rod] [of iron;]

1 Nephi 2:69 [LDS 8:24]
[And they did press forward] [through the mist] [of darkness,] clinging [to the rod] [of iron,] [even until] [they did come forth] [and partake] [of the fruit] [of the tree.]

1 Nephi 2:70 [LDS 8:25]
[And after] [they had partaken] [of the fruit] [of the tree] [[they did cast [their eyes] about]] [as if] [they were ashamed.]

1 Nephi 2:71 [LDS 8:26]
[And I <also> cast] [my eyes] [round about,] [and beheld] [on the other side] [of the river] [of water] [a great] [and <spacious> building;]

1 Nephi 2:72 [LDS 8:26]
[And it stood] [as it were] [in the air,] high above [the earth;]

1 Nephi 2:73 [LDS 8:27] [Note]
[And it was filled] [with people,] [both old] and young, [both male] and female;

1 Nephi 2:74 [LDS 8:27]
[And their manner] [of dress] [was <exceeding> fine;]

1 Nephi 2:75 [LDS 8:27]
[And they were] [in the attitude] [of mocking] [and pointing] [their fingers] [towards those who] [had come at,] [and were partaking] [of the fruit.]

1 Nephi 2:76 [LDS 8:28]
[And after] [they had tasted] [of the fruit] [they were ashamed,] [because of those that] [were scoffing at them;] [and they fell away] [into <forbidden> paths] [and were lost.]

1 Nephi 2:77 [LDS 8:29]
[And now] I, Nephi, [do <not> speak] all [the words] [of my father.]

1 Nephi 2:78 [LDS 8:30]
[But,{incorrect punctuation} to be short] [in writing,] behold, [he saw] other multitudes [pressing forward;] [and they came] [and caught hold] [of the end] [of the rod] [of iron;] [and they did press their way forward,] continually [holding fast] [to the rod] [of iron,] until [they came forth] [and fell down] [and partook] [of the fruit] [of the tree.]

1 Nephi 2:79 [LDS 8:31]
[And he <also> saw] other multitudes feeling [their way] towards [[that great [and spacious] building. ]]

1 Nephi 2:80 [LDS 8:32]
[And it came to pass] [that many] [were drowned] [in the depths] [of the fountain;]

1 Nephi 2:81 [LDS 8:32]
[And <many> were lost] [from his view,] wandering [in <strange> roads.]

1 Nephi 2:82 [LDS 8:33] [Note]
[And great] was [the multitude] [that did enter] into that strange building.

1 Nephi 2:83 [LDS 8:33]
[And after] [they did enter] into that building [they did point] [the finger] [of scorn at me,] [and those that] [were partaking] [of the fruit] also; [but we heeded them] not.

1 Nephi 2:84 [LDS 8:34]
These [are the words] [of my father:] For [as many as] [heeded them,] [had fallen away.]

1 Nephi 2:85 [LDS 8:35]
[And Laman] [and Lemuel] partook not [of the fruit,] said [my father.]

1 Nephi 2:86 [LDS 8:36]
[And it came to pass] after [my father] [had spoken] all [the words] [of his dream] [or vision,] which [were many,] [he said] [unto us,] [because of these things] which [he saw] [in a vision,] [he <exceedingly> feared] [for Laman] [and Lemuel;]

1 Nephi 2:87 [LDS 8:36]
Yea, [he feared] lest [they should be cast off] [from the presence] [of the Lord;]

1 Nephi 2:88 [LDS 8:37]
[And he did exhort them] [then with all] [the feeling] [of a <tender> parent,] [that they would hearken] [to his words,] [that,{incorrect punctuation} perhaps] [the Lord] [would be merciful to them,] [and <not> cast them off;]

1 Nephi 2:89 [LDS 8:37]
Yea, [my father] [did preach] [unto them.]

1 Nephi 2:90 [LDS 8:38]
[And after] [he had preached] [unto them,] [and also] prophesied [unto them] [of <many> things,] [he bade them] [to keep] [the commandments] [of the Lord;]

1 Nephi 2:91 [LDS 8:38]
[And he did cease] speaking unto them.

1 Nephi 2:92 [LDS 9:1]
[And all] [these things] [did my father] see, [and hear,] [and speak,] [as he dwelt] [in a tent,] [in the valley] [of Lemuel;] [and also] [a great] [many more] things, which [can not] [be written] upon these plates.

1 Nephi 2:93 [LDS 9:2]
[And now,] [as I have spoken] concerning these plates, behold, [they are <not> the plates] upon which [I make] [a <full> account] [of the history] [of my people;]

1 Nephi 2:94 [LDS 9:2]
For [the plates] upon which [I make] [a <full> account] [of my people,] [I have given] [the name] [of Nephi;]

1 Nephi 2:95 [LDS 9:2]
Wherefore, [they are called] [the plates] [of Nephi,] [after mine own name;] [and these] plates also [are called] [the plates] [of Nephi.]

1 Nephi 2:96 [LDS 9:3] [Note]
[Nevertheless,{incorrect punctuation} I have received] [a commandment] [of the Lord] that [I should make] these plates for [the <special> purpose] that [there should be] [an account] engraven [of the ministry] [of my people.]

1 Nephi 2:97 [LDS 9:4]
Upon [the other] plates [should be engraven] [an account] [of the reign] [of the kings,] [and the wars] [and contentions] [of my people;]

1 Nephi 2:98 [LDS 9:4]
[Wherefore,{incorrect punctuation} these plates] [are for the more part] [of the ministry;] [and the other] plates [are for the more part] [of the reign] [of the kings,] [and the wars] [and contentions] [of my people.]

1 Nephi 2:99 [LDS 9:5]
Wherefore, [the Lord] [hath commanded me] [to make] these plates for [a <wise> purpose] [in him;] which purpose [I know] not.

1 Nephi 2:100 [LDS 9:6]
[But the Lord] knoweth [all things] [from the beginning;]

1 Nephi 2:101 [LDS 9:6]
[Wherefore,{incorrect punctuation} he prepareth] [a way] [to accomplish] all [his works] among [the children] [of men;] for behold [he hath <all> power] [unto the fulfilling] [of all] [his words.]

1 Nephi 2:102 [LDS 9:6]
[And thus] [it is.] Amen.