1 Nephi Chapter 9

This chapter is the "editorial comment" by Nephi which forms the bridge between Nephi's record of his father's writings and his own writings. In a sense, this entire chapter is a colophon, as described in the commentary for 1 Nephi 1:1-3. Chapters 1 through 8 of 1 Nephi are Nephi's record and abridgement of his father's writings, while Nephi's own writings begin in chapter 10.

verses 1-5 In these verses the phrase "these plates" refers to the small plates of Nephi. The "other plates" which do contain a "full account of my people" are the large plates of Nephi. See the supplemental article entitled, Those Confusing Book of Mormon Plates.

1 And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.

2 And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.

verse 2 Both the large plates of Nephi and the small plates of Nephi were originally known only as "the plates of Nephi." Please recall that the adjective "large" refers to the number of plates (or number of "pages") in the set and not to the size of the individual plates.

3 Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people.

verse 3 "These plates" are the small plates of Nephi. We will read about the Lord's formally commanding Nephi to make and begin keeping this record in 2 Nephi 5.

4 Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.

verse 4 "these plates are for the more part of the ministry" The expression "more part" is used in the scriptures to mean the majority or most. Here, the expression "for the more part of" mean mostly for. The small plates of Nephi were intended to focus on the spiritual aspects of the Book of Mormon story.

"the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people" "The other plates" are the large plates of Nephi. They will focus on more secular historical issues.

5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.

verse 5 We know that the Lord's "purpose" in commanding Nephi to make the small plates of Nephi related to the fact that the translation of the initial part of the plates of Mormon (the book of Lehi) will be lost by Martin Harris in June of 1828. See the supplemental article, A Brief History of the Translation of the Book of Mormon.

6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

verse 6 When Nephi concludes a major section of his writings, he uses the wording, "And thus it is. Amen." See also 1 Nephi 14:30 and 1 Nephi 22:31. Dr. Hugh Nibley suggested that this expression may have Egyptian origins (Lehi in the Desert, 18).