21 And I did teach my people that they should build buildings, And that they should work in all manner of wood, and of iron and of copper, and of brass and of steel, and of gold and of silver, and of precious ores which were in great abundance.
22 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; And I did construct it after the manner of the Temple of Solomon, save it were not built of so many precious things,
23 for they were not to be found upon the land,
24 Wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon's temple;
25 But the manner of the construction was like unto the Temple of Solomon, And the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine.
26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people that they should be industrious and that they should labor with their hands.
27 And it came to pass that they would that I should be their king,
28 But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king; Nevertheless, I did do for them according to that which was in my power.
29 And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my brethren which He spake concerning them, that I should be their ruler and their teacher;
30 Wherefore, I had been their ruler and their teacher according to the commandments of the Lord, until the time that they sought to take away my life;
31 Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which He spake unto me, saying that, "Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord."