THE BOOK OF MORMON
An Account Written by
THE HAND OF MORMON
UPON PLATES
TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also
of the Lamanites — Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the
house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile — Written by way of
commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation — Written
and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed —
To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof —
Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in
due time by way of the Gentile — The interpretation thereof by the gift of
God.
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the
people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the
language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven —
Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things
the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants
of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever — And also to the convincing
of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD,
manifesting himself unto all nations — And now, if there are faults they are
the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may
be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.
TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.
