Nephi concludes his first book. It concludes with his exegesis of Isaiah, which, although it was probably unplanned, it is completely appropriate for Nephi. Nephi had begun this aside with the literary device of addressing his brothers. At the end, he addresses his brethren. It is probable that Nephi is now directing what he has written to his people, and not to Laman and Lemuel.
This is a message written to Nephi’s contemporaries perhaps, but certainly to his descendants. It is also written to us, as modern readers. We too are part of the brethren to whom his testimony is directed. Nephi’s patriarchal society, echoed in biblical language, addresses this to a collective brethren, that includes sisters, even if not named.
The appropriate end to this first book is Nephi’s testimony of the scriptures, which for the Nephites were the plates of brass. He, and his father, and all of the prophets have testified to the truth of the scriptures. Nephi, has just shown how Isaiah could have been from a hundred years prior, yet still ring true, and is of great worth to Nephi’s own generation—and future generations.
Nephi closes with the testificatory amen.