Ishmael, Father-in-Law of Nephi See also Lehi, Father of Nephi A man in the Book of Mormon who, with his family, joined Lehi’s family in their journey to the promised land. Nephi and his brothers returned to Jerusalem and persuaded Ishmael and his family to accompany Lehi and his family to the promised land, 1 Ne. 7:2–5. The two families intermarried, 1 Ne. 16:7. Ishmael died in the wilderness, 1 Ne. 16:34.