1 Nephi 16:2 - 16:6

1 Nephi 16:2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

However, Nephi felt he had a duty to tell them that they were at the moment a wicked lot and he was under the obligation to do so. God would hold him accountable if he did not. And he knew that he was making them feel uncomfortable by telling them of their wicked disposition. Nephi really wanted his brothers to repent so they could enjoy eternal life as was the desire of the other members of the family.

1 Nephi 16:3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.

Nephi tells them if they were righteous men, they would not be angry at him for what he was telling them. For they would knew that Nephi would be referring to others, but since they knew of their own actions were not correct, they were uncomfortable with what he was telling them.

1 Nephi 16:4 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord.

Nephi does not give up on his older brothers and encourages them to be obedient to the commandments of God.

1 Nephi 16:5 And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord; insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness.

The boys are touched by Nephi’s concern for them and they recognize their faults and say they will try to do better. Nephi is happy for the effect his words are on the brothers and even thinks they might make it after all. I’m sure, however, that in the back of his mind he still remembers the things he saw in his vision of the future of his family and their eventual destruction.

1 Nephi 16:6 Now, all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel.

All the events described by Nephi up to this time happened in the valley of Lemuel. Don’t know how long they dwelt there but it had to be awhile considering two trip back to Jerusalem and all the efforts to get the brass plates and bring back Ishmael family to the camp.