A New Home in the Promised Land

The ship carrying Lehi’s family crossed the ocean and arrived in the promised land. The people set up their tents. 1 Ne. 18:23

They prepared the soil and planted the seeds that they had brought so that they could grow food. 1 Ne. 18:24

As they traveled around in their new land, they found many kinds of animals. They also found gold, silver, and copper. 1 Ne. 18:25

God told Nephi to make metal plates to write on. Nephi wrote about his family and their travels. He also wrote the words of God. 1 Ne. 19:1–3

Lehi grew old. Before he died, Lehi talked to his sons and told them to obey God’s commandments. Lehi also blessed his grandchildren. 2 Ne. 1:1–2, 9; 2 Ne. 2:1–2; 2 Ne. 3:25; 2 Ne. 4:3–5, 12

After Lehi had died, Laman and Lemuel became angry with Nephi and wanted to kill him. They did not want their younger brother Nephi to be a leader over them. 2 Ne. 4:13–14; 2 Ne. 5:1–3

The Lord warned Nephi to lead the righteous people away. Nephi and his followers traveled many days into the wilderness. They named their new land Nephi. 2 Ne. 5:5–8

The people who followed Nephi obeyed God and worked hard. Nephi taught them to build with wood and metals, and they built a beautiful temple. 2 Ne. 5:9–11, 15–17

The followers of Laman and Lemuel were called Lamanites. They became a dark-skinned people. God cursed them because of their wickedness. 2 Ne. 5:14, 21

The Lamanites became lazy and would not work. They were a wicked people. 2 Ne. 5:24

The people who followed Nephi called themselves Nephites. The Lamanites hated the Nephites and wanted to destroy them. Jacob 1:14

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson