Repetition can be a very powerful literary device. Nephi's words to his brothers struck me as I recently read them. In responding to their questions about the words of their father, Nephi explains what he has learned through his study and through revelation:
14 And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. (1 Nephi 15)
Notice that "know" or "knowledge" appears six times in this verse. Here is a list of the items Nephi says the remnant of their seed would come to know in the latter days:
- that they are of the house of Israel
- that they are the covenant people of the Lord
- the knowledge of their forefathers
- the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer
- the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine
- how to come unto him and be saved
What a powerful summary of the key things each of us must come to know for ourselves!
According to Nephi, this knowledge would come as a result of "the fulness of the Gentiles" in "the latter days." In other words, as a result of the restoration of the Gospel through the Gentiles. This blessing of the restoration is not only to benefit the remnant of the Lehites, but for the the entire world:
18 Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days; which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. (1 Nephi 15)
I love this connection back to the Abrahamic covenant. I've already pointed out a connection between Nephi's opening description of himself and Abraham here. Stisa has posted a great overview of the Abrahamic covenant in the Book of Mormon here, here and here.
In this same sermon, Nephi reminds his brothers how we are to come to this knowledge:
If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you. (1 Nephi 15:11)