Reference: Nephi follows Isaiah 29:9: “Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.” Recasting these verses into the context of Nephi’s prophecy requires a change of target from Ariel (in Isaiah) to “all ye that doeth iniquity.” With this shift, the rest of the verse fits into Nephi’s vision.
Scripture: Nephi again describes the world’s apostate state. Lacking the gospel light and guide, the world staggers drunkenly. It stumbles along, rather than boldly following the true path. For Nephi, this image echoes his vision of the tree of life in which those who let go of the rod of iron are lost in the mists of darkness. Without that sure guide, they stumble like one drunken.