Redaction: Zeniff’s first-person account ends, and a third-person synopsis begins. Why did Mormon stop copying and begin abridging? He clearly has records from which he is taking his account but has changed his method of including information. I hypothesize that Zeniff’s account was succinct, informative, and focused; an abridgment would have had few advantages over the original. But Noah’s account was arguably longer. The evidence of Noah’s efforts to build impressive buildings (Mosiah 11:8–12) suggests that he would have desired an impressive record to accompany his achievements. Mormon would have had no interest in recounting the political details of Noah’s reign. Nevertheless, his introduction is unflattering, certainly a contrast to the tone of Noah’s official record. As we continue to read Mormon’s account, it will be clear that he made sure to paint Noah in the worst possible light. Mormon shifts to a third-person account because the first-person account did not fit Mormon’s perception of Noah.