Nephi cites two examples of faith as a principle of power. The first was Moses parting of the Red Sea (v. 2), and the second was their visitation by an angel (v. 3). He tried to assure them that the Lord would provide a way for them to obtain the records. Although Moses had lived hundreds of years earlier, Nephi knew of him apparently from his parent’s teachings or his own reading. This illustrates another way to develop faith, from the reading of the scriptures. They show us the Lord’s dealings with others. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said that one of the main purposes of the Book of Mormon was to prove “to the world that the Holy Scriptures are true” (D&C 20:11). The Book of Mormon is a second witness to the authenticity that Moses parted the Red Sea by the power of God (see Exodus 14:21–22). Nephi’s reference to the Red Sea’s parting is the first of five times it is referred to in the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 17:26–27; Mosiah 7:19; Alma 36:28; Helaman 8:11). The Doctrine and Covenants adds a third witness (D&C 8:3). “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15). These witnesses are particularly significant in light of the tendency today to explain these events away as natural occurrences or myths. The acceptance of miracles coming by the power of God can also increase our faith and “make [us] mighty unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20).
There is a difference between compliance and obedience. Laman and Lemuel followed Nephi, but they were complying and murmuring as they did so (v. 4). However, as promised, Nephi was now directing the activities.