Where did Nephi get his testimony?

That's what I really want to know. So I'm skimming the first 15 chapters, and here is what I am finding:

*he learned a lot from watching his father

*he had great knowledge from God and knew the goodness and mysteries ofhim (but how?)

*he asked lots of questions

*he recognized his potential and calling (1:1)

*he had great desire to know the mysteries of God (2:15)

*asked for help (2:16). This verse that although the desire was there, things still didn't all come easily all the time for Nephi. He had doubts and questions too.   

*had faith

*sought diligently and humbly 

*believed in God's promises to him (2:19-22)

*he spoke with the lord and trusted him  (3:1)

*didn't murmur (3:5-6)

*gave his brothers opportunities to succeed and try again 

*quickly obeyed (3:7)

*trusted the lord to lead him (3:7)

*didn't give up easily (3:15)

*understood why they need scriptures, so he didn't just obey blindly 

*helps his brothers understand; taught with power and authority (3:16-20)

*had testimony-strengthening experiences, like seeing God's hand in helping them get the plates 

*obeyed even when it was hard (4:10)

*put God's will first (4:14)

*reached out to others, wanted to help zoram (4:32)

*he read and heard the scriptures (6) and saw the value in them 

*honored his father and was obedient to him (7:2)

*didn't take things personally, but was form toward his brothers in explaining how they were rebelling against God (not that they were rebelling against

 Nephi)

He asked Laman and Lemuel, how is it that yet have forgotten. This question shows that much of Nephi's faith rested on things he had seen or experienced or felt. The different between N and L/L is N had a good memory. N remembered what the Lord had done and who the Lord was and let that work in his heart to prove to him what the Lord could do.  But L/L, who had experienced some of the same things. Had never let it sink in and change them. They'd just forgotten it all. N understood this, and approached his lectures to them in a way to try to help them remember what they already had experienced and what they should have known to be true.