Editing Second Nephi (section)

=== Break between First and Second Nephi ===
Different theories have emerged as to why Nephi's two books seem to break in the middle of a family event. Frederick Axelgard, Latter-day Saint and Senior Fellow at the [[Wheatley Institution|Wheatley Institute]], suggests the account would be better divided at 2 Nephi 5, which generally marks the end of Nephi's historical narrative.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=W. Axelgard |first=Frederick |date=1986 |title=1 and 2 Nephi: An Inspiring Whole |url=https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol26/iss4/4/ |journal=BYU Studies Quarterly |volume=26 |issue=4 |page=55 |via=ScholarsArchive}}</ref> Political science professor and apologist [[Noel B. Reynolds]] writes that the first five chapters of Second Nephi seem to be establishing Nephi's authority and leadership qualifications.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reynolds |first=Noel B. |date=Winter 1980 |title=Nephi's Outline |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43041317 |journal=BYU Studies |volume=20 |issue=2 |page=32 |jstor=43041317 }}</ref>

Alternatively, literary scholar [[Terryl Givens]] proposes the interruption of the timeline was purposeful to emphasize an important theme of covenants in the Book of Mormon. Lehi's vision confirms Jerusalem and its temple have been [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|destroyed]], says Givens, and triggers subsequent explanations to show the family they are still a covenant people to God and that the Israelites will not be lost forever. These are ideas that Givens connects to Moroni's introductory thematic statement on the purpose of the Book of Mormon. He also suggests that Lehi's blessings to his children and many of the Isaiah quotations are aimed at this same purpose and show the family they are part of the covenant as long as they don't reject the Messiah.{{sfn|Givens|2020|pp=3, 6, 33, 50}}