1 Nephi 19:1

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded me,

wherefore I did make plates of ore

that I might engraven upon them the record of my people.

And upon the plates which I made I did engraven the record of my father,

and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father;

and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them.

1 Nephi 19:2

And I knew not at the time when I made them

that I should be commanded of the Lord to make these plates;

wherefore, the record of my father, and the genealogy of his fathers,

and the more part of all our proceedings in the wilderness

are engraven upon those first plates of which I have spoken;

wherefore, the things which transpired before I made these plates

are, of a truth, more particularly made mention upon the first plates.

1 Nephi 19:3

And after I had made these plates by way of commandment,

I, Nephi, received a commandment

that the ministry and the prophecies,

the more plain and precious parts of them,

should be written upon these plates;

and that the things which were written

should be kept for the instruction of my people,

who should possess the land,

and also for other wise purposes,

which purposes are known unto the Lord.

1 Nephi 19:4

Wherefore, I, Nephi, did make a record upon the other plates,

which gives an account, or which gives a greater account

of the wars and contentions and destructions of my people.

And this have I done, and commanded my people

what they should do after I was gone;

and that these plates should be handed down

from one generation to another, or from one prophet to another,

until further commandments of the Lord.

1 Nephi 19:5

And an account of my making these plates shall be given hereafter;

and then, behold, I proceed according to that which I have spoken;

and this I do that the more sacred things may be kept

for the knowledge of my people.

1 Nephi 19:6

Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates

save it be that I think it be sacred.

And now, if I do err,

even did they err of old;

not that I would excuse myself because of other men,

but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh,

I would excuse myself.

1 Nephi 19:7

For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth,

both to the body and soul,

others set at naught and trample under their feet.

Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet;

I say, trample under their feet

but I would speak in other words —

they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.