2 Nephi 5:11 - 5:15

2 Nephi 5:11 And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.

And as the Lord had promised for all those who would live according to the commandments in the promised land, they prospered exceedingly. They became rich in flocks, herds and crops. They probably live some kind to law of consecration and shared in all things that were over and above what they needed.

2 Nephi 5:12 And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.

Nephi also had with him the brass plates which he read often and probably read to his people as well. They were able to keep in remembrance the commandments and the law of Moses with this record. Nephi also had the director or ball that had brought them to the promise land in the first place. Wonder if it was used to find this land they were settling in now?

I’m sure that because Laman and Lemuel did not have such records, it lead to the rapid decrease in righteousness of their group. They probably would not read or be interested in them in any case even if they had copies of the brass plates. Laman and Lemuel were probably glad not to have them to remind them of their wickedness.

2 Nephi 5:13 And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land.

The Nephites are prospering very rapidly. I wonder if those who might have already been living in the promised land were joining up with Nephi and his group? I do not think that the Nephites were growing in numbers strictly through the birth of children. If there were others, I’m sure Nephi was preaching to them and trying to convert them to the gospel. And who knows maybe there were some who had been influenced by the Jaredites still around who might have joined up with the Nephites?

2 Nephi 5:14 And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people.

Nephi recognizing the danger of the Lamanites and others who might join with them and surcome to Laman and Lemuel’s hatred against the Nephites, tries to prepare his people for war. Nephi makes copies of the sword of Laban and teaches them how to fight. He knew that it was only a manner of time before the Lamanites found them and attached them.

2 Nephi 5:15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.

Nephi also taught them to build building with wood and metal. His skills in metal working was manifested by his instruction in how to work with a sorts of metals found in the promise land namely, iron, copper, brass, steel, gold and silver.