The Nephite prophets had requested of the Lord that a record might be preserved for the Lamanites. This was to bring them back to Christ. And for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these record—that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people; And that the Lamanites might come to a knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ (DC 3:19-20).