The first thing that Mormon wants his Lamanite brethren to know is that they are of the house of Israel. This entitles them to receive all the promises and blessings given to the covenant people of the Lord.
"Careful and prayerful study of the scriptures-especially the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon-will not only bring people to understand in their minds the origin and destiny of the descendants of Jacob but will also cause them to know in their hearts what it means to come to earth through a chosen lineage and what God would have them do to be a light to the world, particularly to so many who sit in spiritual darkness. The words of the Lord to ancient Israel should be received by modern Israel with sobriety and humility, but they must be received and believed if we are to realize our potential to become a holy people and a royal priesthood. Jehovah spoke millennia ago of 'Israel, whom I have chosen' (Isaiah 44:1) and assured the Israelites that 'you only have I known of all the families of the earth' (Amos 3:2; see also Isaiah 45:4).
"And yet coming to this earth through a peculiar lineage involves much more than boasting of a blessing: it entails bearing a burden. 'Once we know who we are,' Elder Russell M. Nelson said, 'and the royal lineage of which we are a part, our actions and directions in life will be more appropriate to our inheritance' ("Thanks for the Covenant," 1988-89 BYU Devotional and Fireside Speeches, p. 59)." (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 237-8)