1 Nephi 9
People in this chapter
Chapter 9 is six verses long, and it is about plates. That sounds like a footnote. It turns out to be one of the most remarkable chapters in the Book of Mormon.
Nephi explains that he kept two records, and that both are called the plates of Nephi. One holds the history: kings, wars, and contentions. The other, the one you are reading, holds the ministry: revelations, prophecy, and preaching. Then he admits something. The Lord commanded him to make this second record for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not (v. 5).
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1 Nephi 9:1As He Dwelt in a Tent
1And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.
Everything from chapter 2 to chapter 8 happened while Lehi lived in a tent in the valley of Lemuel. Nephi has written only part of it.
1 Nephi 9:2-4Two Sets of Plates
2And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.
Nephi kept two records. Both are called the plates of Nephi. Today we call them the large plates (history) and the small plates (the ministry). You are reading the small plates.
3Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people. 4Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.
The large plates are about kings and wars. The small plates are about the ministry: revelation, prophecy, and teaching. Nephi kept the most sacred things here.
1 Nephi 9:5-6For a Wise Purpose in Him
5Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.
Nephi didn't know why the Lord wanted a second record. He made it anyway. In 1828, when 116 pages of the translation were lost, the reason became clear.
6But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.
God hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. Nothing, not even a lost manuscript, can stop His work.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- “For a Wise Purpose” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)Elder Holland shows that the phrase “for a wise purpose” is used at least six times about the small plates, and argues that we received more than we lost: the small plates throw greater views upon my gospel (D&C 10:45).
- All Is LostThe Church's narrative history of how the 116 manuscript pages were lost in 1828 and how Joseph Smith repented and was restored to the work.
- Revelation, Spring 1829 [D&C 10]The early text and historical introduction for the revelation that told Joseph Smith to translate the plates of Nephi in place of the lost pages.
- Why Did Nephi Write His Small Plates?Explains the difference between Nephi's large and small plates and when each was made.
- A Brief Explanation about the Book of MormonThe short guide at the front of the Book of Mormon that describes each set of plates the book was made from, including the loss of the 116 pages.
Where this echoes in Scripture
As He Dwelt in a Tent
Two Sets of Plates
- 1 Nephi 19:1-5This I do that the more sacred things may be kept for the knowledge of my people.Nephi's fuller account of making both sets.
- 2 Nephi 5:29-33Make other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight.When the small plates were commanded.
- Jacob 1:2-4If there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great… for Christ's sake.
- Omni 1:30And these plates are full.The small plates' last line.
- Words of Mormon 1:3I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets.Mormon discovers them.
For a Wise Purpose in Him
- Words of Mormon 1:6-7I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me.Mormon, a thousand years later, with the same not-knowing.
- D&C 10:38-45You shall translate the engravings which are on the plates of Nephi… and thus I will confound those who have altered my words.The wise purpose revealed.
- D&C 3:1The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated.
- 1 Nephi 3:7He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
- Isaiah 46:10Declaring the end from the beginning.