Scripture Stories
A Ship to Cross the Sea


“A Ship to Cross the Sea,” Book of Mormon Stories (2023)

“A Ship to Cross the Sea,” Book of Mormon Stories

1 Nephi 17–18

2:15

A Ship to Cross the Sea

Preparing to go to the promised land

families by the sea

Bountiful was a land filled with fruits and honey. It was a beautiful place to live. Lehi and Sariah’s family lived by the sea and had everything they needed.

1 Nephi 17:5–6

Nephi praying

After many days, the Lord told Nephi to go to a mountain to pray. There, the Lord told him to build a ship to take his family across the sea.

1 Nephi 17:7–8

Nephi looking at rocks

The Lord showed Nephi how to build the ship. But Nephi did not know where to find metal to make tools. The Lord showed Nephi where to look for metal.

1 Nephi 17:8–10

Nephi working while Laman and Lemuel talk

Later, Nephi built a fire to make tools. Laman and Lemuel watched their brother Nephi. They did not want to help him build the ship. They thought it was a bad idea to try to cross the sea.

1 Nephi 17:11, 16–18

Laman and Lemuel mad at Nephi

Laman and Lemuel did not believe that the Lord told Nephi to build a ship. Nephi asked them why they still did not have faith in the Lord. He reminded his brothers that they had seen an angel and knew of the Lord’s power. Laman and Lemuel became so mad that they wanted to kill Nephi.

1 Nephi 17:18–19, 45–48

Laman and Lemuel on the ground

But Nephi was filled with God’s power. Nephi warned Laman and Lemuel not to touch him. They were afraid and did not dare to touch Nephi for many days. Then the Lord told Nephi to reach out his hand to his brothers. When Nephi reached out to them, they felt shaken by the Lord’s power.

1 Nephi 17:48, 52–55

everyone working on the ship

Laman and Lemuel worshipped the Lord and helped build the ship. Nephi prayed to the Lord many times for help. The ship that Nephi’s family built was beautiful. After many days, the ship was finished, and they saw that it was good. Nephi’s family knew the Lord had helped them.

1 Nephi 18:1–4