36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.
I think probably at this time, even non-believing Jews at
least believed in the creation as recorded in scripture. So I think Nephi is
reminding his brethren that God did not create the earth on a whim, and it was
for the main purpose that it be a place for his children and some of His other
creations to live. He is also saying that because he created the earth, God can
pretty much do His will here, and create circumstances where that can be
fulfilled.
- Isaiah 45:18
