1 Nephi: Headnote, Part XI

“This is according to the account of Nephi; or in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record.”

Dr. Hugh Nibley, arguably the father of Latter-day Saint apologetics, points out that the First Book of Nephi “starts out with a colophon telling us whose hand wrote it, what his sources were, and what it is about” (Since Cumorah, 170-171). This is far from unique in scripture (e.g. the Jerusalem Colophon), but the statement is important. Latter-day Saints understand that while the scriptures are indeed the word of God, they are the word of God filtered through the minds of His prophets. The level of perfection to which any scripture can attain is only to the extent that its author was willing and able to write His words in the way that He intended, and to the extent that the reader (e.g. us) is willing and able to understand them in the way that He intended.

By opening his record in this way, Nephi is stating, “This is scripture, but I’m totally responsible for the way it’s written. If you don’t like it, I’m sorry, but please don’t blame God; blame me.” It brings to mind the passage from the title page of the Book of Mormon, written by a different prophet, over a millennium later, and attached to the beginning of the volume:

“And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.”

…or from a nonscriptural book much closer to our day:

“For the work itself, I assume sole and full responsibility.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Preface.)

Nephi had no illusions regarding what he was doing. He was a prophet, to be sure, but like all prophets, he was a very mortal, very flawed human being. That he would take full responsibility for his actions is a testament to his maturity and humility in the gospel.

Likening the scriptures unto myself:
Almost two years ago, I gave a blessing in which I thought I was speaking the words of God, but I now believe I allowed my own thoughts and feelings to get in the way. My prophecy did not come to pass—at least, according to my own finite understand, I believe it did not—and I spent a long time questioning myself and my own apparent inability to receive revelation. In the last General Priesthood Session, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles touched on this very topic, commiserating with those of us that have at times failed in this sacred responsibility:

“I have experienced that certainty of inspiration in a healing blessing and have known that what I was saying was the will of the Lord. However, like most who officiate in healing blessings, I have often struggled with uncertainty on the words I should say. For a variety of causes, every elder experiences increases and decreases in his level of sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit. Every elder who gives a blessing is subject to influence by what he desires for the person afflicted. Each of these and other mortal imperfections can influence the words we speak.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Healing the Sick, Ensign 40:5:49).

As I have continued to ponder upon this life-changing event—the apparent failure to bless my wife according to the will of the Lord—I have come to realize that I, like all men, am more imperfect than I ever understood. By taking upon myself more responsibility to say the words the Lord would have me say, instead of relying almost entirely on Him to tell me what those things might be, I enter into an agreement with Him that will help me to become more like Him in thought as well as deed. I can become the kind of person that does say what He wants me to say, and thus my words, too, become scripture (cf. Doctrine & Covenants 68:4).

Or in other words, I, Jeffrey, wrote this record.