Nephi, the son of Lehi, was "one of the greatest prophets whose presence ever dignified this earth," according to Commentary on the Book of Mormon by George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl. "He was one of the most lovable of men, true as steel, never wavering, full of integrity, faith and zeal. He loved the Lord with all his heart. It is seldom we find a character in the history of this fallen world that was as perfect or as complete as was that of Nephi.
"He was naturally a leader," the commentary continues. "His faith and courage made him so, while his devout humility gave him strength with heaven. In many respects he resembled Moses; not only was he their law-giver but a practical teacher of his people in the every-day concerns of life."In his April 1980 general conference address, President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency said of Nephi:
"I believe with all my heart . . . that if our young people could come out of our homes thoroughly acquainted with the life of Nephi, imbued with the spirit of his courage and love of truth, they would choose the right when the choice is placed before them.
"How marvelous it would be if, when they must make a decision, there would flash into their minds, from long and intimate association with them, the words of Nephi: `I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.' (1 Ne. 3:7.)
"And when the going gets rough and temptation to abandon the course of righteousness presses upon them, they might think of his plea to his wayward brothers:
"`Let us be faithful,' he said, `in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?'"