Stretching forth the hand is an action the Lord commanded Nephi to perform toward his brethren. The Lord said, “Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy brethren, and they shall not wither before thee,” and declared, “but I will shock them, saith the Lord, and this will I do” (1 Nephi 17:53). Nephi “stretched forth my hand unto my brethren,” and the Lord shook them (1 Nephi 17:54).
Those who desired to worship stood upon the top of the place and “stretch forth his hands towards heaven” before crying with a loud voice (Alma 31:14). After the brother of Jared spoke, “the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger” (Ether 3:6).