1 Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath ^acommanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying:

  2 And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the ^agrace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his ^bcalling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time.