Nephi shifts in his writing from the focus on his own text to a return to historical perspective. While the written text was an insertion in the record as a message to future generations, when Nephi returns to a historical perspective, he assures us that he taught these things to his people, and that he discharged his duty to see that the writings of the prophets on the brass plates were know to his people. It is certain that the prophecies Nephi understands as concerning them were among those read.