Moroni’s declaration that he and his father, by preparing the record, are “rid[ding] our garments of the blood of our brethren” is puzzling. Nephite guilt certainly cannot be attributed to either Mormon or Moroni, so their personal expiation cannot have been a motive for writing the book. I take it to mean that they felt responsible for preaching the gospel throughout their lives but were thwarted because the people did not listen. The Book of Mormon will give their people’s descendants another chance at redemption. If Mormon and Moroni had not written the book, the people would lack that opportunity; hence, Mormon and Moroni might have been adjudged guilty of allowing those descendants to continue in unbelief.