3 Nephi 5:7

And thus had the twenty and second year passed away,

and the twenty and third year also,

and the twenty and fourth, and the twenty and fifth;

and thus had twenty and five years passed away.

3 Nephi 5:8

And there had many things transpired

which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous;

nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book;

yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done

among so many people in the space of twenty and five years;

3 Nephi 5:9

But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of this people;

and a shorter but true account was given by Nephi.

3 Nephi 5:10

Therefore I have made my record of these things

according to the record of Nephi,

which was engraven on the plates which were called the plates of Nephi.

3 Nephi 5:11

And behold, I do make the record on plates

which I have made with mine own hands.

3 Nephi 5:12

And behold, I am called Mormon,

being called after the land of Mormon,

the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people,

yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.

3 Nephi 5:13

Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I have been called of him to declare his word among his people,

that they might have everlasting life.

3 Nephi 5:14

And it hath become expedient

that I, according to the will of God,

that the prayers of those who have gone hence,

who were the holy ones,

should be fulfilled according to their faith,

should make a record of these things which have been done —

3 Nephi 5:15

Yea, a small record of that which hath taken place

from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, even down until the present time.

3 Nephi 5:16

Therefore I do make my record from the accounts

which have been given by those who were before me,

until the commencement of my day;

3 Nephi 5:17

And then I do make a record of the things

which I have seen with mine own eyes.

3 Nephi 5:18

And I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record;

nevertheless there are many things

which, according to our language, we are not able to write.