Nephi sees and laments the eventual destruction of his people. The first significant image in this verse is that “they sell themselves for naught.” Nephi uses an appropriate economic metaphor, because the Nephite “problem” will be related to what he calls their “pride and their foolishness.” Nephite pride is consistently related to Nephite economics. As they accumulate worldly wealth, they also accumulate worldly philosophies. The problem is not the wealth but their “pride.” Over the course of Nephite history, they were wealthy many times. A few times, they remained faithful regardless of their wealth; but these times were unfortunately few. Far more frequently, they adopted worldly ways, including social differentiations based on wealth. Nephi founded his people on egalitarian principles, but pride associated with wealth continually threatened that ideal. The desire to create social hierarchies is most often the distinguishing characteristic of the “pride” that destroyed the Nephites. They will sell their religious principles for worldly philosophies. Sadly, they are able to “buy” the world. As Nephi predicts, it is an exchange of value for something of no value, because it will eventually cost them everything.
The second important image in this verse contrasts darkness and light. Perhaps Nephi is highlighting a couple of contrasting Isaiah passages which he has quoted earlier:
Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isa. 5:20/2 Ne. 15:2)
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isa. 9:2/2 Ne. 19:2)
The contrast between light and darkness consistently relates light to God and darkness to evil. This dichotomy also leads to the doctrine of choosing between life and death, which also become integrated into the light/dark imagery. While Nephi may be highlighting language from Isaiah, Lehi also taught the concept of choosing darkness, and consequently being consigned to hell: “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Ne. 2:27).
Narrative: The destruction of Nephi’s people was given in the first recounting of this vision in 1 Nephi 12:12–20.