According to Michael Griffith, anti-Mormons assert that the Book of Mormon contains almost no Mormonism" (Decker and Hunt 114). By this the critics mean to claim that none or almost none of the more unique doctrines of Mormonism can be found in the Nephite record (Decker and Hunt 114; J.L. Smith 23-30). . . . [One of these allegations involves the preexistence]
The phrase "from the foundation of the world" is used repeatedly in many passages of the Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 10:18; 2 Nephi 9:18; 2 Nephi 27:10; Mosiah 4:6-7; Mosiah 15:19; Mosiah 18:13; Alma 12:30; Alma 13:1-7; Alma 18:39; Alma 22:13; Alma 42:26; Helaman 5:47; 3 Nephi 1:14; Ether 3:14; Ether 4:14-19; Moroni 8:12.
According to Michael Griffith, Helaman 5:47 makes it clear that this phrase refers to the pre-mortal existence. In this verse the Father is speaking of the Son, and says, "Peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world."
The doctrine of preexistence can be found in the Bible, in ancient Jewish sources, and in early Christian writings (Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul 1983:19, 37n2, 190, 262-266, 274-276, 397 n43, 346-350; R.G. Hamerton-Kelly, Pre-Existence, Wisdom, and the Son of Man in the New Testament, 1973; Eugene Seaich, Mormonism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Nag Hammadi Texts, 1980:4-17; Joseph F. McConkie "Premortal Existence, Foreordinations, and Heavenly Councils." in C. Wilfred Griggs, editor, Apocryphal Writings and the Latter-day Saints, 1986:173-198) [Michael T. Griffith, Refuting the Critics, pp. 132-133] [See the commentary on 1 Nephi 11:25]