Nephi often speaks in the first person in 1 Nephi. He uses the pronoun "I" throughout 1 Nephi—16 times in 1 Nephi 1 alone; 64 times in giving his account of obtaining the plates of brass in chapters 3-4; and a massive 147 times in telling what he saw in his great vision at told at the center of 1 Nephi in chapters 11-14. He says "I, Nephi," over 60 times in this book. Listen for his personal voice and personal testimony.
Indeed, for many reasons, the ancients valued eye-witness testimonies, in court, and in recordkeeping. Ancient authors, especially in Egypt, would often begin or end with what is called a colophon. This is a kind of written verification of authorship, saying, "I am the one who has written this. I saw these things. My record is true. I’m giving you my verification," and it’s often a first-person statement.
As you read through the Book of Mormon, notice that its books begin with "I Nephi," or "I Jacob." The pattern continues with "I Enos," &"I Mormon," and others. This pattern of Book of Mormon witnessing continues all the way to the end when Moroni ends his final statement in Moroni 10 saying, when you get these things, ask God, and he will tell you that I have not lied. You will see me at the judgment bar, and you will know that I have told you the truth (Moroni 10:4–5, 27, 34). These are credible, personal, urgent testimonies.
Book of Mormon Central, "Why Does Nephi Begin by Saying ‘I, Nephi …’? (1 Nephi 1:1)," KnoWhy 476 (October 16, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, "Why Did Book of Mormon Authors Use Colophons? (1 Nephi 1:3)," KnoWhy 443 (June 21, 2018).