Words of Mormon 1:2

And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ, that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.

Many hundreds of years have passed since Jesus Christ came. I am giving these records to my son. I think he will see all of our people be destroyed. But I hope God will let him live. Then he can write about our people and about Christ. Maybe this will help people someday.

It’s been many hundreds of years since Christ came, and now I’m handing these records to my son. I expect he’ll see the complete end of our people. But I pray God will let him survive them, so he can write something about them and about Christ—something that might help someone someday.