The remnant of Jacob (v. 12) includes all of the twelve tribes of Israel. Mormon wrote “unto you, twelve tribes of Israel” (Mormon 3:18). “They are written after this manner” (Mormon 5:12) means written then, but intended for a people hundreds of years later. The descendants of the house of Jacob were all taken or scattered from their promised lands before the time Mormon was writing. The Jews, whom Mormon addresses separately (v. 14 below), were scattered also, but would be gathered independently from the other tribes. These tribes of Israel were all in a state of wickedness, and their records were therefore hidden up unto the Lord to come forth in his own due time (v. 12). Mormon, acting by commandment of the Lord, was to hide them up, and the Lord would command them to come forth in his wisdom (v. 13). Mormon knew that God knows all things, and therefore would gather the records when the time was appropriate (see Words of Mormon 1:7).