According to Terrance Szink, we find in the fifth chapter of Third Nephi that Mormon’s discussion about his sources led him to testify about his record. This testimony can be best understood when compared to Nephi’s statement at the beginning of the small plates. The two have many points in common: the writer or editor:
(a) declared that he made the plates with his own hand (1 Nephi 1:3; 3 Nephi 5:11),
(b) gave a short autobiographical statement (1 Nephi 1:1; 3 Nephi 5:12-13),
(c) briefly stated the source of his information--Nephi wrote “I make it according to my knowledge” J(1 Nephi 1:3), while Mormon wrote: “Therefore I do make my record form the accounts which have been given by those who were before me, until the commencement of my day; and then I do make a record of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes” (3 Nephi 5:16-17),
(d) testified of his record--Nephi wrote, “I know that the record which I make is true” (1 Nephi 1:3); Mormon testified in almost the same language “I know the record which I make to be a just and a true records” (3 Nephi 5:18), and
(e) mentioned his language (1 Nephi 1:2; 3 Nephi 5:18).
So many similarities cannot be attributed to mere chance. I believe that these two prophets employed what was a specific Nephite formula for giving testimony,. It is difficult to say whether the formula was a literary device or had formed part of the Nephite legal system.
It is interesting that this was the first time in the Book of Mormon, as Mormon compiled it, that he identified himself by name, for though his name appears in the Words of Mormon, that book was written on the small plates of Nephi. One might have expected Mormon to introduce himself and testify at the beginning of the record, as did Nephi in the small plates of Nephi; perhaps such an introduction and testimony were found in the first part of the book of Lehi, which constituted the 116 pages of manuscript lost by Martin Harris.
Mormon finished his small personal insertion into the text with a short prophecy regarding Israel. He began by declaring that he was a “pure descendant of Lehi” (3 Nephi 5:20), implying that careful genealogy was kept among the Nephites. 3 Nephi 5:21 is a statement of what the Lord had done for israel in the past. This verse is a wonderful example of parallelism, a poetic device used often int he Old Testament. The following arrangement illustrates the poetic structure:
Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob
and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph.
The opening statement is followed by an elaboration and the prophecy concerning each group. The seed of Joseph, a subgroup of the house of Jacob, will again be brought “to the knowledge of the Lord their God” (3 Nephi 5:23). This must have been especially meaningful for Mormon because the seed of Joseph included the descendants of Lehi. The last three verses of 3 Nephi 5 pertain to the house of Jacob as a whole. Its members will again be made aware of the covenant they have made and will come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ. Then they shall be “gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands.” (3 Nephi 5:26). [Terrence L. Szink, “A Just and a True Record,” in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 2, pp. 134-136]
Note* One should also note Mormon’s words in his explanatory text to the small plates of Nephi:
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also knowing that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass--Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people. But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren. And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me… . And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people. And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me. (Words of Mormon 1:4-5)
Was Mormon guided in his writings by what he found on the small plates of Nephi? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Words of Mormon 1:5 and the Title Page]
3 Nephi 5:11 And behold, I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands ([Illustration] Gold Disc of Chichen Itza. Controversy surrounds most of the examples of writing on metal in the New World and more study will be required to document their authenticity. This gold disc, the only completely authenticated piece of New World writing on metal, was exhumed by a 1950’s expedition at Chichen Itza; it has a Mayan inscription around the edges. (Peabody Museum--Harvard University. Photograph by Hillel Burger.) Copyright Pres. and Fellows of Harvard College 1979. All rights reserved. [Paul Cheesman, “Ancient Writing on Metal Plates,” The Ensign, October 1979, p. 44]
3 Nephi 5:11-12 I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands. And behold, I am called Mormon (Illustration): Chart: “Writings of Mormon.” Mormon, the chief abridger and editor of the full Book of Mormon, also added comments of his own to many of the books in that record, besides writing two books within the Book of Mormon that also bear his name (the Words of Mormon and the book of Mormon). As this chart demonstrates, his editorial commentaries, skillfully woven into the text of the primary authors, provide important explanations of human nature, the gathering of Israel, the Book of Mormon in the latter days, and the Savior’s visit to the Americas. His own writings include, among other things (not all of which are listed on this chart), an autobiography and important sermons or letters on good works and infant baptism. [John W. & J. Gregory Welch, Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching, F.A.R.M.S., chart #20]