[color-box]For comparison purposes, the original Book of Mormon text is supplied (italicized and indented) after each Modern Book of Mormon verse.[/color-box]

Nephi talks about what he’s writing on these plates versus his other plates.

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1 My father saw, heard, and said all of these things as he camped in a tent in the Valley of Lemuel. He also saw many more things that can’t be written on these plates.

1 And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.

2 As I have already said about these plates, they’re not the ones on which I’m writing a full history of my people. I’ve called those the plates of Nephi, but these are also called the plates of Nephi.

2 And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.

3 Still, the Lord commanded me that I should make these plates specifically so that there would be a written account of my people’s spiritual matters.

3 Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people.

4 An account of the kings, wars, and troubles of my people should be written on the other plates, and these plates are for the more spiritual things.

4 Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.

5 The Lord commanded me to make these plates for some wise purpose, but I don’t know what it is.

5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.

6 But the Lord knows everything, and he prepares a way to accomplish what he wants among us. He has all the power needed to fulfill his words, and that’s the way it is.

6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.