Nephi uses an effective image here. He notes that the Savior pleads “Follow thou me.” With that command, Nephi suggests that just as Jesus was obedient to the commandments, so should we. It also has a connotation of following the Savior into the waters of baptism.
The most interesting aspect of this verse is Nephi’s clear presumption that his audience knows and understands the injunction of the Lord to “follow thou me.” We do not have the reference to Nephi teaching this to his people, but the clear expectation of this verse is that they already know it. Nephi is using the phrase not as new information, but as the proving text that supports the need for his people to follow the commandments.
Of course we understand that we do not have all of Nephi’s teachings to his people (and in fact, have very few once he became king of the Nephites). Nevertheless, Nephi’s understanding of the mission of Jesus was extensive, and was taught to his people.