Nephi’s grief at this time was two fold: (1) he recognized the cause of his brothers’ failure to understand; and (2) he knew his people in Jerusalem would be destroyed. After regaining the strength that had been taken from him as he had experienced his great vision, he attempted to help his brothers to understand and therefore escape similar judgments of God.
Nephi asked four questions of Laman and Lemuel as they confessed they could not understand their fathers words regarding the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles. First, had they inquired of the Lord, or had they prayed for understanding? The brothers admitted that they had not prayed. Nephi’s next three questions are a follow-up to the first one. Second, why weren’t they keeping the commandments?, third, why were they willing to perish because of the hardness of their hearts?, and fourth, do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? He then apparently quotes a scripture that shows prayer to be a commandment (v. 11). Nephi does not identify the reference of his scriptural quote, but it was probably from the plates of brass. Another possibility is that it was something that their father had told them. Regardless, Nephi, their younger brother, is chastising them. His constructive criticism is followed by some meaningful commentary on their father’s instruction. Nephi was not merely pointing out their faults, but was trying to help soften their hardened hearts.
As readers of the Book of Mormon, we should learn from Nephi. We can learn how to understand spiritual things and also how to help people who are spiritually derelict. First, we, or they, must pray for understanding (v. 8). Secondly, we, or they, must be worthy to receive personal revelation through keeping the commandments. Thirdly, we, or they, must search the scriptures.