Text: Mormon gives his two types of sources: (1) “accounts which have been given by those who were before me” (v. 16), and (2) a “record of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes” (v. 17). In other words, he draws from written sources and also from his own experience. As a disciple of the Messiah, he extends his personal witness to include historical events and the gospel principles contained in the records before him. While Mormon may not have seen the events written in the accounts, he may nevertheless testify to their truth because of his position as a witness for Yahweh-Messiah. In verse 18 he declares his witness. He has the records. He has his personal witness. Therefore he may seal with his word the “true record.”