50 And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
How many times has Nephi made reference to Moses and the
miracles involved with freeing captive Israel from Egypt? Nephi gives all the
power and credit for these miracles to God, but he also asserts that he is the
Lord’s servant as much as Moses was. Look at the language he has used. He’s
saying that first, nothing is too hard for the Lord (Genesis 18:14; Philippians
4:13). Second, that the Lord wants us to cross this sea, and He will make that
possible (1 Nephi 3:7; D&C 24:13). He (the Lord) could even command me
(Nephi) to make this water dry ground, and it would happen. Nephi’s brothers
apparently believed the story of Moses crossing the Red Sea, because Nephi has
referred to it several times in calling them to repentance. So they knew it was
possible for the Lord to make that happen. And finally, Nephi says that the
Lord has given him the same power that He gave Moses. If the Lord told him,
their little brother, Nephi, to perform this miracle, then it would be done,
even though he is not Moses. There is no question in Nephi’s mind or heart that
he is the Lord’s servant, and by now there shouldn’t be that question for his
brothers either.
- Genesis 18:14
- Exodus 14:15–30
- Philippians 4:13
- 1 Nephi 3:7
- D&C 24:13
