154 And as they came forth to lay their hands upon me, I spake unto them, saying, In the name of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of God, even unto the consuming of my flesh;
155 And whoso shall lay their hands upon me, shall wither even as a dried reed; and he shall be as nought before the power of God, for God shall smite him.
156 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them, that they should murmur no more against their father, neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I should build a ship.
157 And I said unto them, If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them.
158 If he should command me that I should say unto this water, Be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
159 And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he can not instruct me that I should build a ship?
160 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that they were confounded, and could not contend against me;
161 Neither durst they lay their hands upon me, nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days.
162 Now they durst not do this, lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit of God; and thus it had wrought upon them.
163 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me, Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy brethren, and they shall not wither before thee, but I will shock them, said the Lord; and this will I do that they may know that I am the Lord their God.
164 And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither before me; but the Lord did shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken.
