1 Nephi 9:3

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.

But I received a commandment from the Lord to make these plates. They have a special purpose - to write about the ministry of my people.

The Lord commanded me to make this special set of plates to record the spiritual experiences of my people.