17 And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows, and go forth into the wilderness, to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families, we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer.
18 And we did go forth again, in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness, which were in the borders near the Red Sea.
19 And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way, with our bows and our arrows, and our stones and our slings;
20 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.
21 And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.
22 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me, because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.
23 And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families.
24 And being much fatigued because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food.
25 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceeding sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.
26 Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren, because of the loss of my bow; and their bows having lost their spring, it began to be exceeding difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food.
27 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God.
28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling, and with stones.
29 And I said unto my father, Whither shall I go to obtain food?
30 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my word; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.
31 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.
32 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written!
33 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly; and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives.
34 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith, and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them.
35 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.
36 And thus we see, that by small means, the Lord can bring about great things.
37 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.
38 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.
39 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain;
40 And now, when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy.
41 And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.
42 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning;
43 And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.
44 And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom.
45 And it came to pass that the daughters of Ishmael did mourn exceedingly, because of the loss of their father, and because of their afflictions in the wilderness;
46 And they did murmur against my father, because he had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, saying, Our father is dead; yea, and we have wandered much in the wilderness, and we have suffered much affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue; and after all these sufferings, we must perish in the wilderness with hunger.
47 And thus they did murmur against my father, and also against me; and they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem.
48 And Laman said unto Lemuel, and also unto the sons of Ishmael, Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren.
49 Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him, and also that angels have ministered unto him!
50 But behold, we know that he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he worketh many things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes, thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away into some strange wilderness;
51 And after he has led us away, he has thought to make himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure.
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