Words of Mormon 1
People in this chapter
Words of Mormon is a note from the editor. Mormon has spent years abridging a thousand years of Nephite records. He is old, his people are nearly destroyed, and he is about to hand everything to his son Moroni (v. 1). Before he does, he stops to explain one decision.
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
Words of Mormon 1:1-2Somewhat Concerning Christ
1And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites. 2And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.
Mormon is old and has seen his people almost completely destroyed. He is about to give the record to his son Moroni.
Mormon prays that Moroni will survive and write more, especially about Christ. That prayer was answered.
Words of Mormon 1:3-8For a Wise Purpose
3And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi. 4And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass— 5Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.
While Mormon was working on his abridgment, he found the small plates. He could not include even a hundredth part of his people's history.
6But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren. 7And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
Mormon felt prompted to include the small plates. He did not know why, but he trusted that the Lord knew everything that was to come.
8And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.
Words of Mormon 1:9-11I Know That They Will Be Preserved
9And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me. 10Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of king Benjamin. 11And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written.
The small plates were kept with the other records and handed down until they reached Mormon. He knew they would be preserved, and that people will be judged by what is written in them.
Words of Mormon 1:12-18King Benjamin Was a Holy Man
12And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people. 13And it came to pass also that the armies of the Lamanites came down out of the land of Nephi, to battle against his people. But behold, king Benjamin gathered together his armies, and he did stand against them; and he did fight with the strength of his own arm, with the sword of Laban. 14And in the strength of the Lord they did contend against their enemies, until they had slain many thousands of the Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did contend against the Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands of their inheritance.
King Benjamin defended his people in war. He fought with the sword of Laban, and they fought in the strength of the Lord.
15And it came to pass that after there had been false Christs, and their mouths had been shut, and they punished according to their crimes; 16And after there had been false prophets, and false preachers and teachers among the people, and all these having been punished according to their crimes; and after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of the holy prophets who were among his people—
Benjamin also faced false Christs, false prophets, and false teachers among his own people.
17For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people— 18Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.
Benjamin was a holy man. With the help of the prophets, he worked with all his body and soul until there was peace again.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- Why Is "Words of Mormon" at the End of the Small Plates?Scholars discuss why Mormon placed this explanation at the close of the small plates, comparing it to an ancient practice of naming a work's author at its end.
- Brief Explanation about the Book of MormonDescribes the four kinds of plates in the Book of Mormon and explains how the small plates and Words of Mormon connect to Mormon's abridgment.
- Mormon, Nephite ProphetAn overview of Mormon's life and his work abridging the Nephite records.
- Benjamin, Father of MosiahThe entry for king Benjamin, whose reign the second half of this chapter describes.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Somewhat Concerning Christ
For a Wise Purpose
- 1 Nephi 9:5-6For a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning.Nephi's words when he first made these plates.
- D&C 10:38-42You shall translate the engravings which are on the plates of Nephi, down even till you come to the reign of king Benjamin.
- Alma 37:2For it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
- Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
- Isaiah 55:9As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.
I Know That They Will Be Preserved
- Mosiah 1:16He also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi.
- 2 Nephi 29:11Out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world.
- Revelation 20:12The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
- D&C 3:19-20For this very purpose are these plates preserved... that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers.
King Benjamin Was a Holy Man
- 1 Nephi 4:9I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof.Where the sword of Laban first enters the record.
- Mosiah 2:14Even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you.
- Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets.
- Omni 1:26Offer your whole souls as an offering unto him.