217 And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.
218 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore, that I might engraven upon them the record of my people.
219 And upon the plates which I made, I did engrave the record of my father, and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father; and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them.
220 And I knew not at the time when I made them, that I should be commanded of the Lord to make these plates;
221 Wherefore, the record of my father, and the genealogy of his forefathers, and the more part of all our proceedings in the wilderness, are engraven upon those plates of which I have spoken;
222 Wherefore, the things which transpired before I made these plates, are, of a truth, more particularly made mention upon the first plates.
223 And after I had made these plates by way of commandment I, Nephi, received a commandment, that the ministry, and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them should be written upon these plates;
224 And that the things which were written, should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord;
225 Wherefore I, Nephi, did make a record upon the other plates, which gives an account, or which gives a greater account of the wars and contentions and destructions of my people.
226 And this have I done, and commanded my people what they should do, after I was gone, and that these plates should be handed down from one generation to another, or from one prophet to another, until further commandments of the Lord.
227 And an account of my making these plates shall be given hereafter;
