“I Was About to Build a Ship”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

Nephi's announcement that he and his brothers were to build a ship and the group was to cross the ocean was met with ridicule and contempt from Laman and Lemuel. It had been eight long, hard years since the family had commenced their journey in the wilderness. They had rejoiced in the richness of the land Bountiful, and Lehi's two oldest sons at least now desired to enjoy its goodness. How unwelcome and frightening the message must have been that they were to cross the ocean in a ship of their own building! Another two thousand years would pass before Columbus would break the chains of superstition and fear that bound the Old World and would make his voyage to that same continent.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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