1 Nephi 10:5 - 10:9

1 Nephi 10:5 And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world.

Lehi also speaks of the many prophets that would coming forward to prophecy of this redeemer and his mission.

1 Nephi 10:6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.

Lehi speaks of our fallen state and that this redeemer would overcome this condition through his efforts. I doubt if the older boys were even concerned with their “fallen state.” If all you know is what you have experienced, you don’t have any concept of being less than you can be. You might just think that this is all there is and not even think of a higher state of being exists.

1 Nephi 10:7 And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord—

Lehi continues his discourse to the group by revealing the mission of John the Baptist. Again probably from the book he read from and since he mentioned that he both saw and heard, he may have seen his mission in vision. Since everything is now, not past, present or future, Lehi could see in ‘real time.’
Anyway Lehi outlines the mission of this prophet as being that which was to prepare the way for the Messiah. It must be by John’s preaching which included the coming soon of the Messiah. I suppose that if Jesus came among the people without having the support of a well known figure or being prophesied that he would appear among them, he might not have been considered as a Messiah or even considered as a prophet. Jesus might have only been thought of as a wise man with special powers, but not the Messiah. It had to be testified to by an independent source that had credence among the people at large. John the Baptist had that credential.

1 Nephi 10:8 Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.

Lehi further reveals that John will be in the wilderness outside of Jerusalem warning the people to repent for the coming of the Lord was close. Furthermore, John said that he was not even worthy to undo his shoe laces. That this Messiah was now among them and that He would be even greater in power than was John.

Saying that the Messiah was now in their midst should have put some on alert as to who He was and where He was living. I wonder if many were hanging around John waiting for Him to appear?

I also wonder why did Lehi even mention to the group about the coming of the Messiah and especially that He would not come for 600 years? Can only guess that it was to give the group someone to focus on that would give them stability in their actions towards one another. Knowing that Christ was in their lives and that they all should stand before Him at some future date would give cause for everyone to make sure their actions were pleasing to Him.

1 Nephi 10:9 And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.

Lehi tells of John baptizing the Messiah in a place called ‘Bethabara.’ somewhere along the Jordan River. That the Messiah should be baptized was a show that it was a necessary ordinance.