Knowing that only a small portion of the doings and teachings of the Nephites is found in our present Book of Mormon (see Words of Mormon 1:5; 3 Nephi 5:8; 3 Nephi 26:6; Ether 15:33); knowing that Nephi and Mormon and Moroni saw our day and understood clearly the nature of our challenges (see Mormon 8:35; Mormon 9:30), and knowing that these prophet-editors were inspired in their selection of those matters which would do the most to settle doctrinal disputes and lead men and women to Christ-knowing all these things, we ought to read the Book of Mormon with reverence and awe, for ours is the assurance that we have been given that which is appropriate and needful for our time and season.
And as the Nephite-Jaredite prophets were true to the divine direction given there in the preparation of the Book of Mormon, even so the Savior declared in regard to the choice seer of the latter days: “He has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true” (D&C 17:6 italics added).