As Mormon concludes his discussion of the appearance of the Savior to the saints in Bountiful and later to the disciples, he reiterates the material concerning the last days. Mormon understands that the very text he is writing is the one that will be delivered to the Gentiles. He must have felt an incredible responsibility as he wrote the prophecies of the future function of his text. It is not surprising, therefore, that as he closes the record of the Savior’s visit that he should end with the future importance of the record as well as the coming of the Triumphant Messiah.
Textual: Mormon led into this discussion of the events of the end of the world with information on the three Nephites. This verse is the first verse that returns to the planned theme after the interrupted section found in 3 Nephi 28:37-40. It is interesting that this verse repeats a phrase from one of Mormon’s original transitions out of the three Nephites and into this eschatological material:
3 Nephi 28:29
29 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them. (italics added).
Either we have a coincidence in the repetition of the phrase, or more likely we have Mormon returning to a script for his text after the unscripted insertion. When he returns to the topic, he mimics here the transition used originally. We have seen other indications that Mormon is writing his text after having created at least an outline, and perhaps even a complete draft. However, in this final redaction, he allows himself to add material that was not in the original outline/draft. This has just happened, and the repetition of the phrase appears to be a return to the script. Since this turns on a specific phrase, it is likely that the outline was robust, containing phrases. It would have been closer to draft than terse outline, based on this evidence.