The task of finishing the record goes to Moroni. Once again, it appears that Mormon had some vision of the future, for just as he knew that he would survive the last battle to write about it, he knew that his son would survive to write. Moroni tells us that he has been commanded to write “but few things.” Those “few things” continue for 78 verses in our modern edition. After those “few things,” we have the book of Ether, and then further writings in the book of Moroni. At the beginning of the book of Moroni, he tells us:
Moroni 1:1
1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.
Because Moroni tells us clearly that he is writing something he had not supposed that he should write, we may understand that the book of Moroni is not part of what his father asked him to write. Even though there is no explicit evidence that Mormon told his son to abridge the record of Ether, it is conceivable and probable that Mormon did intend that Moroni do that work. When Mormon wrote about the translation of those plates by Mosiah, he gave the following information:
Mosiah 28:19
19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it is expedient that all people should know the things which are written in this account.
At least at that point in writing, Mormon expects that the book of Ether should be available. Remembering our timetable for the writing of the Mormon’s text that we have as the Book of Mormon, this indication that it would “be written hereafter” appears to be a firm indicator that the inclusion of that text is part of what Mormon intended for his record. Perhaps he assumed that it would form the same type of appendix as the small plates were to have done.
What things were commanded of Moroni that he write? The two that are fairly certain are the conclusion to Mormon’s work, and the addition of the book of Ether. It is possible, however, that the intent of Mormon’s command to write was limited to some specific things to be done to finish the main record. This would explain why Moroni indicates that in relation to the commandment of his father, he has only “but few things to write.” The book of Ether does not qualify as “but few things.”
Indeed, even in the “few things” that Moroni does write at the conclusion of his father’s record, he stretches “few things” into 78 verses. It is most probable that Mormon did command some specific types of information to be added, but in the process of adding the information specifically requested, Moroni adds more information himself.