Narrative: In the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, this text begins chapter 2 (1830 1 Ne. 2), which better repeats the thematic division in the text, since a new theme in Nephi’s writing begins here. Nephi commences by clarifying his intention for the remainder of his work. First, he will no longer be following his father’s account (at least not on this set of plates). Second, he will not duplicate the genealogy that is available on the brass plates.
Nephi never intended to make a complete copy of Lehi’s record (1 Ne. 1:16), but at this point he explains clearly that he is leaving out very large portions of it and why.
Text: Nephi’s explanation is the first indication that the small plates are a somewhat limited medium. Nephi declares that he is intentionally leaving out important information, which could be found elsewhere specifically because he desires to use the limited space for other purposes.