P.S. 1

Three more quick thoughts.

1. Notice that Nephi mentions the fruit again in 11, but doesn't describe it being eaten... this is all "after" it is eaten, i.e., on a different occasion.  This is consistent with a Day of Atonement interpretation, of course, since the fruit (the shewbread) was eaten on the Sabbath (Lev. 24:8), and the Day of Atonement, being the 10th day of the New Year, COULD BE a Sabbath, but wasn't necessarily.

2. By the way, although the Evangelists all describe Christ's ministry in terms of Passover, Nephi wouldn't be the only one to use a Day of Atonement metaphor.  Hebrews 6-9 does the same, as does the very old Epistle of Barnabas (5:1).

3. Check this link out (fifth paragraph) for a (not in the OT) traditional Jewish doctrine about BOOKS that ties to the Day of Atonement: the period between the new year and the Day of Atonement was the time given to repent, and on the Day of Atonement your name is inscribed either in the Book of Life or in the Book of Death.  Shades of "only two churches", per Nephi's vision, and of course Nephi's harping on about books.

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Yom_Kippur/yom_kippur.html

Who's taking notes so we can write a paper?

Tomorrow: Ishmael dies!