1 Nephi 16:22 - 16:26

1 Nephi 16:22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God.

But Nephi kept control of his emotions and knew it was only temporary. They still had a trip to accomplish and they otherwise they would die here in the desert. So Nephi tries to lift up their spirits so they would stop complaining against the Lord. But sometimes actions mean more than words.

1 Nephi 16:23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?

So Nephi makes a bow from some wood he found and an arrow. He gathers more stones for his sling and then approaches his dad to know where to go to hunt. Wonder if the ball had quit working on account of the murmuring in the group which had showed them where to hunt before? Also wonder if the wood selected for the bow as a special wood and only Nephi knew of it and was the only one who knew how to fashion a bow from it?

1 Nephi 16:24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.

Lehi goes to the Lord to find out where game could be found. However before this prayer, Lehi and the group had to be humbled and it was only Nephi’s words that did this. Their complaints I assume were loud and often so it took all Nephi’s pleadings to get the group on the right track spiritually so they could get the help they needed from the Lord. Just another example from Him of the necessity to rely on Him for ones support. It is not unmanly to look to Him for help in everyday life. It is a sign of strength to seek for it.

1 Nephi 16:25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.

Lehi apparently had to be humbled as well. These must have every grave for him to fall victim to this discouragement. It shows that none of us are exempt from these emotions. Even the best of us can fall if we are not careful. Nephi is the anchor to these people. If it had not been for him, this expedition would have fallen apart and who knows would have happen then. I’m sure some would have suffered death at the hands of the easily upset older brothers.

1 Nephi 16:26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.

The voice of the Lord came to him. Lehi is told to look on the ball. Instructions would be there as to where to hunt.