Schism Between the Nephites and the Lamanites

2 Nephi 4:13–14

Not long after Lehi’s death, Laman, Lemuel, and some of Ishmael’s sons again get angry at Nephi and his followers for repeating Lehi’s words.

And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lord. For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates.

2 Nephi 4:15–35

Nephi writes a psalm expressing his feelings.

And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass.

2 Nephi 5:1–4

Despite Nephi’s prayers, Laman and Lemuel’s dissenting view only deepen, and they want to kill Nephi.

Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the Lord my God, because of the anger of my brethren. But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. yea, they did murmur against me, saying:

“Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words.

“For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.”

Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life.

2 Nephi 5:5–6

The Lord warns Nephi, and instructs him to leave—Nephi warns his followers.

And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me.

Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.

2 Nephi 5:7

Nephi and his followers (Nephites) leave the settlement and the Lamanites (followers of Laman and Lemuel) behind.

And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days.

2 Nephi 5:19–20

These events were all a fulfillment of prophecy.

And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I should be their ruler and their teacher. Wherefore, I had been their ruler and their teacher, according to the commandments of the Lord, until the time they sought to take away my life. Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: