Obeying instructions from the Lord, Nephi went into the wilderness, separating from Laman and Lemuel. He took with him:
- Zoram, Laban's servant who after swearing an oath of loyalty in Jerusalem joined Lehi and his family.- Sam, an older brother, and his family.
- Jacob, a younger brother.
- Joseph, another younger brother.
- Also accompanying Nephi were at least two sisters, and "all those who would go with me . . . who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God." (2 Ne. 5:6.)
The Book of Mormon does not give the exact number of people who followed Nephi.
The people who followed Nephi were called Nephites; those who stayed with Laman and Lemuel were called Lamanites. Apparently the Nephites traveled some distance because their journey lasted for "the space of many days." (2 Ne. 5:7)
They called the place they settled "Nephi," which became known as the Land of Nephi. (2 Ne. 5:8.)
As far as is known, no one knows exactly where the Land of Nephi is located. It may be surmised, however, that the land was fertile, or that the Lord made it so, for Nephi states, "we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds and animals of every kind." (2 Ne. 5:11.)
Nephi mentioned some of the things he took with him into the wilderness: ". . . the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written . . . the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords." (2 Ne. 5:12, 14.)