The blessing of peace and prosperity forever was a conditional promise (v. 9). Since Jehovah knows “the end from the beginning” (Abraham 2:8), he knew they would not always keep his commandments, as indicated by “when the time cometh” (v. 10). The knowledge given to Lehi’s people of the creation of the earth and of all men is not given in detail upon the plates of Nephi, but will come forth when the things “expedient that [we] should have first, to try [our] faith,” are believed, then we have and know the greater things (3 Nephi 26:9). The plates of brass “gave an account of the creation of the earth, and also of Adam and Eve,” and were to “go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of [Lehi’s] seed” (1 Nephi 5:11, 18; see also Alma 37:3–5). The twenty-four plates, from which Moroni took his account of the Jaredites, also spoke “concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam” (Ether 1:2–3). Modern revelation also promises more information on the creation when Christ comes: “Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof” (D&C 101:32–33).
Although the Book of Mormon does not give details of the creation, it does testify of the creator. Lehi at this time testifies to his sons that “[God] hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are” (2 Nephi 2:14). An angel identified Jesus Christ to King Benjamin as “the Father of heaven and earth, the creator of all things from the beginning” (Mosiah 3:8). When Jesus Christ spoke to the Nephites after their cities had been destroyed, he said: “I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are” (3 Nephi 9:15). The Bible teaches of the same creator, although it is often overlooked. The Gospel of John records: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:1–3, 10). In Colossians we read of God’s dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. [Colossians 1:14–16]
Paul addresses the Hebrews regarding God speaking “unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2; italics added). Therefore, when Lehi foretells the judgments of God coming upon the Nephites when “they will reject the Holy One of Israel,” it is in the context of their knowledge of the creation and Christ being their creator (v. 10 above). The Book of Mormon further testifies that the “earth was created by the power of [Christ’s] word” (Jacob 4:9), or by the power of his voice” (Helaman 12:8–14). The Nephites were destroyed as a nation, scattered and smitten because of their rejecting the knowledge of the creation and the true Messiah, as Lehi prophesied. This evidence should also serve as a warning to us in our world of scientific emphasis.