Words of Mormon 1:3

And now I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin; and also many of the words of Nephi.

Let me tell you about what I have written. I made a short version of the plates of Nephi. I wrote about everything up to the time of King Benjamin, who Amaleki talked about. I looked through the records that were given to me. I found these plates that tell a short story about the prophets from Jacob to King Benjamin. They also have many of Nephi’s words.

Let me explain what I’ve written. After I’d summarized the plates of Nephi down to the reign of King Benjamin—the one Amaleki mentioned—I dug through the records I had and found these plates. They held a brief account of the prophets from Jacob down to King Benjamin, along with many of Nephi’s words.