Even Mormon's book (Mormon 1-7) is an abridgment. He was the author of a much fuller account which he described in Mormon 2:18 (see commentary). These seven chapters, then, are written with us in mind. As Hugh Nibley reminds us, "The main point is this: if we ignore the lessons of history, we're doomed to repeat them. These things must be made known. Why should these awful things be made known, and be made known unto us? As Brother Benson says, it's particularly for us in our time. Well, that must be very, very relevant, so we must pay very close attention here." (Teachings From the Book of Mormon, Lecture 105, p. 206)