Start of text: 1 Nephi

 THE BOOK OF MORMON
 
 An Account Written by
 THE HAND OF MORMON
 UPON PLATES
 TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI
 
 Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of
 Nephi, and also of the Lamanites--Written to the Lamanites, who
 are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and
 Gentile--Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of
 prophecy and of revelation--Written and sealed up, and hid up
 unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed--To come forth by
 the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof--Sealed
 by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in
 due time by way of the Gentile--The interpretation thereof by the
 gift of God.
 
 An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a
 record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the
 Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were
 building a tower to get to heaven--Which is to show unto the
 remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath
 done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of
 the Lord, that they are not cast off forever-- And also to the
 convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the
 ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations--And now, if
 there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn
 not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the
 judgment-seat of Christ.
 
 TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.
 
 
 THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES
 
 Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
 whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the
 Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which
 contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi,
 and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people
 of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken.  And
 we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power
 of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know
 of a surety that the work is true.  And we also testify that we
 have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have
 been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man.  And we
 declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down
 from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we
 beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we
 know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord
 Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things
 are true.  And it is marvelous in our eyes.  Nevertheless, the
 voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it;
 wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear
 testimony of these things.  And we know that if we are faithful
 in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and
 be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall
 dwell with him eternally in the heavens.  And the honor be to the
 Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. 
 Amen.
 
 OLIVER COWDERY
 DAVID WHITMER
 MARTIN HARRIS
 
 
 THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES
 
 Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
 whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the
 translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which
 hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many
 of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with
 our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which
 has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. 
 And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said
 Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of
 a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have
 spoken.  And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto
 the world that which we have seen.  And we lie not, God bearing
 witness of it.
 
 CHRISTIAN WHITMER
 JACOB WHITMER
 PETER WHITMER, JUN.
 JOHN WHITMER
 HIRAM PAGE
 JOSEPH SMITH, SEN.
 HYRUM SMITH
 SAMUEL H. SMITH