“And Now I, Mormon, Proceed to Finish out My Record”

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

After Mormon's soliloquy, or speech to himself, in which he included a prayer to God, "concerning my brethren," that they may once again "be a delightsome people," he affirmed his intention of carrying on the work he had already started. Of his abridgment, he says, "I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me." He thus testifies that the record he makes, and the knowledge he transmits, is the truth, and only the truth. How like the sacred oath, attesting our veracity, we affirm, today. The words of our oath, "So help me God," is another way of saying exactly what Mormon said in this verse. This is strong evidence that what he says is, in fact, true. It challenges man to recall if in his experience there ever was a failure when anyone said, "With the help of the Lord," I will do a certain thing. If the resolve comes from a contrite heart, and with full purpose of mind, "There never was a vain attempt, never a wasted effort." We may rely on the record of Mormon.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

References