George Q. Cannon
"In this simple language does Jacob record the event. He leaves Nephi's works to speak for him. And their consideration cannot fail to be of profit to all who will give them attention. The example of such a life is of immense benefit to mankind; it strengthens, elevates and inspires with noble purpose all who become acquainted with it. No Latter-day Saint can read the life of Nephi, as he has given it to us in his record, without being incited to exercise greater faith, to live nearer to God and to cherish loftier aims.
"It can be said about the writings of Nephi (and this is also true of the entire Book of Mormon and in fact of all saving truth) that they bring the conviction of their divinity to the heart of every one who reads them in the spirit in which they were written. Read in that spirit, they fill the soul with a sweet and heavenly joy which only the spirit of God can produce." (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 1, p. 454)