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."
32 And behold, they were cut off from His presence.
33 And He had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing because of their iniquity,
34 For behold, they had hardened their hearts against Him, that they had become like unto a flint;
35 Wherefore, as they were white and exceeding fair and delightsome, That they might not be enticing unto my people, therefore, the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them;
36 And thus saith the Lord God: "I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities;