Moroni Finalizes the Book of Mormon

Translation and Abridgment of the Plates of Ether

Ether 1:1, 6:1

Moroni begins to make an abridgement of the Jaredite people, who lived in the northern areas.

And now I, Moroni, proceed to give an account of those ancient inhabitants who were destroyed by the hand of the Lord upon the face of this north country.

And now I, Moroni, proceed to give the record of Jared and his brother.

Ether 1:2

Moroni’s source material comes from the twenty-four plates of Ether, which were found centuries earlier by Limhi’s explorers.

And I take mine account from the twenty and four plates which were found by the people of Limhi, which is called the Book of Ether.

Ether 1:3

Moroni explains that the first part of the twenty-four plates gives an account of the creation and early events in earth’s history.

And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam, and an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the children of men until that time, is had among the Jews—

Ether 1:4–5

Supposing that this record is available elsewhere, Moroni forgoes abridging the segment spanning from he creation to "the tower", and begins with the introduction of Jared and his brother.

Therefore I do not write those things which transpired from the days of Adam until that time; but they are had upon the plates; and whoso findeth them, the same will have power that he may get the full account. But behold, I give not the full account, but a part of the account I give, from the tower down until they were destroyed. And on this wise do I give the account.