“We Did Call It Nephi”

Brant Gardner

Nephi and his band name their new home after their leader Nephi. This naming appears to be a continuation of the tradition of naming places for people that was part of the nomadic tradition of Nephi's family. Lehi had named a river for Laman and a valley for Lemuel (2 Nephi 2:8,14). Coming to a new place where they were to make a new home, they desired a way to refer to the place, and used Nephi's name. Where Lehi had named the river and valley out of hope, this land was much more likely named for respect.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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