These two verses are what we may call a preface to Mormon's account of Christ's ministry among the Nephites. It was then the "thirty and fourth year" after the birth of the Savior in far-away Judea that these things took place of which he gives only a brief summary, which we know as Mormon's Abridgment. He tells us very plainly that not a hundredth part of the things he found written upon the Plates of Nephi could be contained in the record he was making. Later on we will read: "And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people." (III Nephi 26:6)
However, we are told by Mormon that the Nephites and also the Lamanites who were spared the awful destruction that had ravaged the whole land wherein they lived, were shown many great favors, and had blessings innumerable poured out upon their heads. These great rewards for their righteousness were culminated by the greatest blessing of all-the Savior of Mankind, the great Messiah for whose coming they had awaited, Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, "did truly manifest Himself unto them-showing His body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of His ministry shall be given hereafter."