“That Perhaps They May Be of Worth Unto My Brethren, the Lamanites, in Some Future Day”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

Moroni’s impression that his words and this sacred record would be a unique benefit to the latter-day Lamanites is similar to Enos’s desire and the Lord’s promise to him (see Enos 1:13, 16). Other Book of Mormon prophets also prophesied of the great day when the Lamanites would come unto the Lord in faith on account of this record (see 2 Nephi 3:15; Alma 37:19; Mormon 7:8-10; Ether 12:22).

In the title page to the Book of Mormon the first group of people that is identified as the target audience of this record is the Lamanites. It is intended to show them “what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever.”

In these last days the Lord has declared that the Book of Mormon is the fulfillment of these earlier prophecies and promises, and that “for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these records- that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people; and that the Lamanites might come to the 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, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved” (D&C 3:19-20).

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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