Books shown to prophets in vision usually have messages of doom for the wicked. Lehi was fortunate that he only had to read the book. Ezekiel and John the revelator were both required to eat the books shown to them in vision. (see Ezek 2:9-3:3 and Revelation 10) The content of the book included the wickedness of the Jews, their impending destruction including death by the sword, the Babylonian Captivity, the coming of the Messiah, and the redemption of the world (see v. 19).