A few notes on the Book of Mormon title page

Since we are approaching the beginning of the Book of Mormon "Come, follow me" study curriculum and the first lesson is on the introduction and witnesses statements, I plan to make some posts covering this part. In this post, I make a few notes on the title page.

Who wrote the title page?

Joseph Smith stated that 

the title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all Hebrew writing in general; and that said title page is not by any means a modern composition, either of mine or of any other man who has lived or does live in this generation

(Source: History of the Church, 1:71)

So the question is who wrote the title page? According to this article, most scholars believe it is Moroni, but the article suggests that Mormon wrote the first half and Moroni the second.

Intertextual connection

Compare this passage from the title page

And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

with Mormon 8:17

And if there be faults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that condemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire.

Moroni is the author of Mormon 8 and likely also this part of the title page. It's difficult to know which of the two was written first, but one of them is clearly written with the other in mind. Having repeated this message twice, it is obviously one that Moroni finds important. 

The purpose of the Book of Mormon

The title page summarizes the main purposes of the Book of Mormon

• To make the remnant of the House of Israel aware of the covenants of the Lord
• To convince both Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ

I have found that these two themes are consistently brought up throughout the book.