Scriptural analysis: Following the discussion of the murmurings of Laman and Lemuel (verses 11-14) Nephi introduces his own story. We find Nephi at the beginning with possibly some of the same reservations as Laman and Lemuel. Rather than deny his father, however, Nephi seeks confirmation of his father’s prophetic calling (verse 16). Upon receiving that confirmation, Nephi communicates it to Sam, who also believes.
In the relationship of Nephi and Sam we find one of the clearer examples of two of the Gifts of the Spirit:
D&C 46:13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
D&C 46:14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
In this case, it was given to Nephi to have the direct confirmation of the truth of his father’s words. It was a confirmation which he sought, and to which is character likely drove him, as this will occur again when Nephi wants to understand Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life. Sam, on the other hand, seems to have no driving compulsion to ask the Lord directly. Sam is able to hear Nephi’s confirmation, and is able to believe it directly. From an informational standpoint, Sam appears to receive much or most of what Nephi had learned, as Nephi made “known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto” him (verse 17). According to the Doctrine and Covenants, these are both gifts of the spirit, and neither is indicated to be superior to the other. Both methods lead to the same end. Both Nephi and Sam remain faithful, and follow their father. Both receive the same blessing as Nephi in 2 Nephi 4:11.
Redactive analysis: As noted above, “and my father dwelt in a tent” places a termination to the explicit story of Lehi. To this point in the Book of Mormon, Lehi is the major figure. Lehi is a prophet who preaches in Jerusalem. Lehi is the one whose life is threatened. Lehi is the one who leads his family out of Jerusalem into the wilderness. Lehi is the one who pronounces the fatherly exhortation to righteousness on the heads of Laman and Lemuel. Nephi appears as little more than the faithful recorder, a Watson to Lehi’s Holmes.
In just a few verses, however, the narrative shifts entirely, and makes that shift keying on the dissention of Laman and Lemuel. After Nephi describes Lehi’s pronouncements for Laman and Lemuel, Nephi openly describes their rebellion and its causes. He ends that story of his father with the capping “and my father dwelt in a tent”.
The next verse reintroduces the “I” of the narrative, but this time not as a parenthetical comment, nor an introductory statement, but with Nephi as a major protagonist in the story. Indeed, from this point the text is really no longer an excerpt from the Book of Lehi, but truly the beginning of the Book of Nephi. At this point, the Book of Mormon shifts to become the story of Nephi, not Lehi.
They key to the shift is that Nephi appears to entertain some of the same hesitations as his brothers. Unlike them, however, Nephi asks God. That direct communication of the validity of his father‘s message places Nephi’s feet firmly on the road to his role and the prophet of the New World.