It was a wise thing for Nephi to have his people make swords to protect themselves with, for in less than forty years after the time they came across the sea to the promised land they had wars and contentions with the Lamanites. We learn from this story that Laman and Lemuel wanted to rule the people, but the Lord had promised Nephi that he should be their leader on account of his faithfulness. The Lord also said that Laman and Lemuel and their children should be cut off from His presence, that is He would not speak to them or give them revelations if they did not obey Him. Nephi did become the leader of the people, and the Lamanites were shut out from receiving revelations from the Lord on account of their wickedness, showing that the Lord's words were fulfilled. We see by this that the Lord is very particular to keep every promise He makes to His servants. We should also be very careful to keep our promises to one another and to our Heavenly Father. Points to be remembered in this story: Laman, Lemuel and Ishmael's sons get angry at Nephi and plan among themselves to kill him--The Lord warns Nephi of their intentions and tells him to leave them and go into another part of the country--Those who believe Nephi's words and teachings go with him into the wilderness to find a new home--They travel many days and settle at a place which they name Nephi after their leader--This people afterwards called Nephites, and those whom they left called Lamanites--Here they are greatly blessed of the Lord--They sow seeds and reap an abundance of food--The records on the brass plates, the brass ball and the sword of Laban taken by Nephi to his new home--Nephi makes swords for his people to defend themselves with--The Lord's promises to Nephi are fulfilled. LEHI AND HIS SONS. NEPHI AND HIS PEOPLE BUILD A TEMPLE. After Nephi and his people had separated themselves from Laman and his followers, the Lord placed a curse upon the Lamanites. He caused a skin of blackness to come upon them. Before this they were a white and beautiful people; but that they might not be attractive to the Nephites, the Lord caused them to appear loathsome and offensive. This was in order to keep them from associating together in any way. The Lord instructed the Nephites to not mix with the Lamanites, and told them if they did they too would become cursed like them. The only way for the Lamanites to free themselves from their curse was to repent of their sins. After this curse came upon the Lamanites they became idle, mischievous and filthy; and they gained their living by hunting wild animals and eating their flesh.