1 Nephi 18:10-11

Because of the rude dancing and singing in the boat, Nephi says in verse 10 that he began to fear the punishments of the Lord because of their wickedness. He knew that the Lord had done much for his family. I don't think that the Lord would let His work be for naught. If there were people that were wicked, one might think that the Lord could consider them expendable and call them home. This is what I thought at first. Nephi was thinking something a little more extreme. He says that he was worried because they were over a very large ocean and he thought that the Lord would smite them and leave them to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. Nephi even says that this would be on account of "our" iniquity. I wonder why Nephi includes himself in this. Surely he was not doing the same as his brothers. Perhaps this is his way of being humble and acknowledging that no one is perfect. Maybe he takes responsibility for their behavior because he had not at that moment taken liberty of admonishing his brothers. Then he says that he did speak unto them with soberness. They, of course, did not like that and promised that they would not have Nephi to be their ruler.

Then, they tie him up with strong cords. They treat him with much harshness. It is important to know that the Lord allowed this to happen so that he can show forth His power and fulfill His words that He said concerning the wicked. I think that this is what happens to anyone that is righteous and is persecuted for His name's sake (see Exodus 23:7, Psalms 37:8-13, Alma 14:11, and Matthew 5:44).