Because Mormon is speaking to a future audience that will have spent some time in apostasy, he cannot be certain that they understand their heritage. While LDS custom has labeled all Native Americans Lamanites, Mormon addresses them as a “remnant of this people” (emphasis mine). He is treating his future audience as Nephites, not Lamanites. Mormon probably understood the politico-religious meaning of “Lamanite” and also that, while his work’s ultimate recipients would be Lamanites in relation to the gospel their spiritual bloodlines made them the house of Israel. Perhaps as those returning to the authentic religion of the house of Israel, the Lamanites as non-believers became spiritual descendants of believers (the house of Israel and figuratively, the Nephites). Mormon begins with this statement because it explains why they are eligible for their future blessings. Yahweh made promises to the house of Israel, and Mormon wants his future readers to understand that they are potential recipients of those blessings.