5 And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men.
6 And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destructions of my people; for I had beheld their fall.
7 And it came to pass that after I had received strength, I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations.
8 And they said, Behold, we can not understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.
9 And I said unto them, Have ye inquired of the Lord?
10 And they said unto me, We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.
11 Behold, I said unto them, How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord?
12 How is it that ye will perish because of the hardness of your hearts?
13 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said, If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely, these things shall be made known unto you?
14 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our fathers;
15 And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Israel; and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?
