The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that he “should translate … the engravings of Nephi, and send forth … this work [which contains] all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets … desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people. And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers” (D&C 10:45–47; see also D&C 3:16–20).
How has the Book of Mormon fulfilled the faith and prayers of its writers? How does knowing the Lord will fulfill His promises increase your faith in what you pray for?
Mormon’s record includes seven chapters of his own writing (Mormon 1–7) and two chapters from his son Moroni (Mormon 8–9). The events Mormon describes occurred between A.D. 321 and 385. The record speaks of Mormon’s life and the demise of the Nephite nation due to its wickedness, which he witnessed firsthand. He personally observed the degradation of Nephite society and Nephite conflicts with the Lamanites for about sixty-five years. His record is only a small part of what he knew and saw (see Mormon 5:9).
This book contains a shorter version of Mormon’s record written on the large plates of Nephi (see Mormon 2:18; 5:9). Mormon mercifully wrote to the descendants of the people who killed him, his family, and his nation. He invites latter-day descendants of Lehi to believe in Christ, accept His gospel, and be saved. He promises that those who truly believe the Bible will also believe the Book of Mormon. Moroni added to his father’s record, likely in about A.D. 401 (see Mormon 8:6), urging latter-day readers to receive the Book of Mormon and believe in Christ.