Lehi teaches that his descendants will be blessed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon

‘In the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, we read that “the Lord hath visited” Joseph, the son of Jacob spoken of in the Old Testament, and that Joseph was given great promises concerning his posterity (JST, Genesis 50:24). As Lehi testified, “Joseph truly saw our day” (2 Nephi 3:5), meaning the day of Lehi and his posterity, and knew that in the future God would raise up “a choice seer” (verse 7), namely the great prophet who was his namesake (see verse 15). Joseph knew also that it would be primarily his descendants whom the Lord would call upon first in these last days to carry the gospel to additional lost members of the house of Israel scattered among the nations of the earth, in compliance with the covenant God made with Abraham (see Bible Dictionary, “Joseph,” 716–17; Guide to the Scriptures, “Joseph, Son of Jacob”). Obviously, since the Lord kept His covenant with Joseph, He will also keep His covenants with us if we are righteous as well.

Lehi’s teaching is a great example of how Heavenly Father honored the covenant He made with Joseph. We can have the confidence that God will always honor His covenants.’ (Book of Mormon Institute Manual, 2009).

2 Nephi 3:5 Out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.

‘This is a brilliant passage of prophecy. Lehi testifies that he (Lehi) had been shown in vision to Joseph in Egypt. In other words Joseph saw that Lehi would be the great leader who would be raised up to carry a branch of Joseph’s seed over the ocean to the promised land where they would receive the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. What a thrilling thing this must have been when Lehi learned that he was shown to Joseph in Egypt over a thousand years before Lehi was born.’ (W Cleon Skousen, Treasures from the Book of Mormon)

2 Nephi 3:11 A seer will I raise up

‘The Prophet Joseph Smith brought us the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and many other writings. As far as our records show, he has given us more revealed truth than any prophet who has ever lived upon the face of the earth. And the Lord said: “And not to the bringing forth my word only, … but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.”  2 Ne. 3:11 What did he mean by that? That in the midst of these hundreds of churches of men—the result of men’s interpretations of the scriptures because they can’t agree, and these churches keep multiplying—that the Lord would give to this new prophet the ability to comprehend the scriptures that had already been sent forth among them.’ (LeGrand Richards, General Conference, April 1981)

2 Nephi 3:12 Confounding of false doctrines

‘The Bible sits on the pulpit of hundreds of different religious sects. The Book of Mormon, the record of Joseph, verifies and clarifies the Bible. It removes stumbling blocks, it restores many plain and precious things. We testify that when used together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace.

We do not have to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof. All we need to do is read it and declare it! The Book of Mormon is not on trial—the people of the world, including the members of the Church, are on trial as to what they will do with this second witness for Christ.’ (Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, October 1984)

2 Nephi 3:13 Out of weakness he shall be made strong

‘The reference to Joseph Smith’s “weakness” describes his humble economic, educational, and social position. Despite these disadvantages he will be made powerful through God’s blessing and calling.’ (Brant Gardner, Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon)

2 NE 3:18 I will make for him a spokesman

‘The Lord provided Joseph Smith with the assistance of Oliver Cowdery. As soon as the prophet and Oliver became acquainted, the Prophet knew that Oliver had been sent to him by the Lord. If Joseph was compared unto Moses, Oliver was compared to Aaron. He was given to Joseph as a spokesman that would minister with the gift of Aaron. The Lord said to Oliver, you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron; behold, it has told you many things; Behold, there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you. Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God (DC 8:6-8). See also DC 28:3.

Later on, the role of Joseph’s spokesman was filled by Sidney Rigdon. Sidney was a great orator and preacher in another church before he was converted to Mormonism. Records of early church meetings show that Sidney spoke regularly and at great length. The Lord said, it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people; yea, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph (DC 100:9). (Gospeldoctrine.com)

2 Nephi 4:13 Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me

‘The brothers’ anger continues the longstanding dispute between Nephi and Laman and Lemuel. Even during Lehi’s life, the brothers resisted Nephi to the point of seeking his life. Now, the last vestige of familial loyalty was disappearing. Nephi recognizes his brothers’ argument (allegedly stolen primogeniture) but rejects it. He identifies the cause as his brothers’ unease at the constant reminders that they have denied and spurned Yahweh and the Spirit. Once a person has turned against the Spirit, its presence in another often generates anger with that person, a kind of generalized hatred toward all that is good.’ (Brant Gardner, Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon)