“I Nephi Proceed to Give an Account Upon These Plates of My Proceedings”

Alan C. Miner

In 1 Nephi 1:17, Nephi says (referring to his writings on the small plates), “I shall make an account of my proceedings, in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father then will I make an account of mine own life.” 1 Nephi 10:1 contains a similar phrase “And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry.” Some have supposed this later verse to be the place in the record that Nephi begins to make an account of his own proceedings (see Sperry, Compendium, p. 94). However, the “proceedings” of Nephi do not immediately follow. In fact, Nephi specifically states in verse 10:1 that “[in order] to proceed with mine account I must speak somewhat of the things of my father and also my brethren.” Nephi doesn’t fully get to himself until verse 17 of chapter 10. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on 1 Nephi 1:2 (global chiastic structure), 1 Nephi 10:18, and 1 Nephi 2:22]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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