Then Lehi called for Ishmael's two sons, their wives and children. After he had left a similar blessing upon Ishmael's household, he said to my older brother, Sam,
"Like Nephi, you'll be blessed all your days. Your descendants will be blessed to inherit this land along with Nephi's, and they'll be counted as one.”
Soon after Lehi had spoken to his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Lord's Spirit in him, he died and was buried.
Not long afterwards, as I was repeating my father's warnings to Laman, Lemuel and Ishmael's sons, they became angry with me because they didn't want to hear more of the Lord's warnings.
But the Lord's Spirit compelled me to speak many things to them, just as it had compelled my father before he died.
Many of our words are written on the larger plates as part of our history. But on these smaller plates, containing a more sacred record, I write the things of my soul, and include many of the scriptures (writings of Isaiah) from the brass plates, for my soul delights in the scriptures as I ponder them in my heart. I write them so my children may learn and profit from them.
My soul delights in the things of the Lord, and my heart continually ponders the many great things I've seen and heard. But even though the Lord has favored me by showing me His great and marvelous works, my heart exclaims:
I'ma wretched man! Because of the sins of my flesh, my heart sorrows and my soul grieves. I'm surrounded by temptations and sins that easily come upon me. When I want to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins.
But I trust God, who supports me.
- He led me through my afflictions in the wilderness and preserved me upon the waters of the great ocean.
