A group of Nephites who fled from persecution to the land of Mormon entered into covenant with the Lord and were baptized in the waters of Mormon (Mosiah 8:4-16). According to Raymond Treat, this was the first time in several generations that the covenant was established again among the Nephites. From that time forward, the name "Mormon" always reminded the people of the restoration of the covenant and the establishment of Christ's church in the land of Mormon. Mormon, the chief editor of the Book of Mormon, tells us that he was not named after his father, but rather he was named after the land in which the restoration of Christ's covenant and church took place:
And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among this people: Yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression. (3 Nephi 5:12)
Today, we associate the name of the Book of Mormon as did the Nephites of old, with the restoring of the covenant among the people. The name of the book is a type for the purpose of the book: to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the remnant of the seed of Lehi. Therefore, the name, Book of Mormon, symbolically means the Book of the Restoration of the Covenants.
The purpose of the Book of Mormon is clearly stated in 2 Nephi 3:12. To paraphrase, the seed of Judah shall write (the Bible) and the seed of Joseph shall write (the Book of Mormon); the two writings together will confound false doctrine, stop contention, establish peace, restore a knowledge of the fathers and a knowledge of the covenants of the Lord. [Raymond C. Treat, "Covenants: Key to the Restoration of the House of Israel," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol. 2, pp. 52-53]
“I Am Called Mormon After the Land of Mormon”
In 3 Nephi 5:12 Mormon tells us that he was not named after his father, but rather he was named after the land in which a great event took place -- the restoration of Christ's covenant people, Christ's church. According to David Lamb, in Mormon 1:5 Mormon identifies his lineage. He states that he is a descendant of Nephi and that his father's name was Mormon. However, he does not state that he was primarily named after his father and this should not be assumed. Mormon apparently had been taught about his heritage by his parents and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. Thus, in 3 Nephi 5:12 Mormon gives us a clear indication that the name Mormon is symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people.
A study of the title page of the Book of Mormon tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. This adds weight to the understanding that the name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact, the name Mormon might have became synonymous with the concept of restoring the covenants.
In light of this understanding, symbolically the Book of Mormon bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant." Is it any wonder that God used this book to spearhead the Restoration Movement? The purpose of the book as stated on the title page, "that they may know the covenants of the Lord," is confirmed even in the title. [David Lamb, "The Meaning of the Name Mormon," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol 2., p. 45] [Note* Readers should note also the 1986 addition to the Book of Mormon title, "Another Testament [Covenant] of Jesus Christ," reinforces this idea.]