The commandment to “construct a ship” is the first mention in the text of the land of promise being “across these waters” (v. 8). The faith of Nephi is shown in his immediate response of where to “find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship” (v. 9). He again illustrates what he said to his father regarding the sons first return to Jerusalem; “I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” 1 Nephi 3:7).
Nephi’s mention of fire apparently reminded him of other blessings the Lord had provided for them in the wilderness. He had sweetened their meat so they would not need to cook it (v. 12). This was probably so that the fire would not attract marauding nomadic tribes in the area. The Lord had also promised to be their “light in the wilderness” (v. 13). Nephi does not enlarge upon how the Lord did this, but it reminds us of the Lord leading the children of Israel in the wilderness. He “went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21). However he led them, they certainly knew the Lord was with them.