Nephi's brothers Laman and Lemuel are complaining (as usual). They say that the people in Jerusalem were righteous because they were good Jews who followed the law of Moses. They are complaining about their father Lehi being too judge-y. Nephi then retells the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
My daughter Jane thinks the reason why Nephi, himself a devout Jew, used this story to persuade his brothers to soften their hearts, is because it was something they already believed and understood. It was a familiar story for them. Moses was already a prophet who they revered and respected. Nephi is using a story that they already know and perhaps casting it into new light.
Nephi explains that Moses followed the Lord's commandments by the help and power of the Lord. He was witnessing to his brothers that the Lord is powerful, strong, and capable, and that he will prepare a way for us to accomplish anything that he commands us to do.
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This is only marginally related, but I would like to point out the similarity in geographic problems with the Exodus story to the Book of Mormon story. Scholars, historians, archaeologists, etc. have apparently not been able to substantiate the story of Exodus through an appeal to existing artifacts, geography, etc. Critics of the Book of Mormon have long used the lack of evidence of precise geography of the Book of Mormon to persuade people that it is not true.
I think the point in both of these examples is that the epistemology of faith is different from that of other aspects of our lives. You can use all kinds of totally secular tools (e.g. Wikipedia) to help you learn *about* faith. But in order to actually learn it *itself* requires "spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception." (see this talk) You have to do something.
That is why we are here.
Perhaps remembering the captivity of their fathers was to them as the first vision is to us in our day—a significant event foundational to their faith and testimonies.
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