When one first handles the Book of Mormon, it can be an interesting experience. The text inside is similar to the Bible, in that the language feels somewhat ancient, yet the placement on the page might feel different than what you are used to.
But exploring the Book of Mormon need not feel difficult. In fact, the . And it is on that title page that we can gain great knowledge as to the purpose of the Book of Mormon and what it contains.
From the Title Page, we learn that the Book of Mormon was an account written by an ancient prophet-historian named Mormon – thus the entire book is aptly called, The Book of Mormon.
We also learn that Mormon’s efforts were to abridge records from an ancient people called the Nephites (so named after the original Nephi one reads about in the early pages of the Book of Mormon).
Now remember, an abridgement is rather like a Reader’s Digest version of a lengthier record or book. And even Mormon states in a variety of places that what he is recording is only an infinitely small portion of the original records.
For example:
“Wherefore, 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” (Words of Mormon 1:5).
and:
“And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people . . . ” (3 Nephi 5:8).
Doesn’t it make you wonder what things weren’t recorded? And if you only had limited space, what would you select to include? The Title Page to the Book of Mormon tells us Mormon’s choices in this matter.
Mormon states that he chose what he did for his record because he wanted to “show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers.” He also wanted to show those same Israelites that they would not be “cast off forever.”
And then Mormon finalizes his Title Page record with a potent message. He states he wrote what he did to convince “the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.”
The message of the Book of Mormon could not be clearer than this. And Mormon’s final plea is poignant. He states:
“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” (“Title Page,” The Book of Mormon).
All this is contained in one short title page, along with more I’ve not had room to summarize here. What an introduction to a record that required such effort to make, keep, and pass on. I’m grateful for it.
Again, this is just a summary. There are actually additional pieces of information about Mormon’s purpose in making this great record. If you’ve not had an opportunity to read it, here is a simple link to the title page.
