1 Nephi
A narrative account of the prophet Lehi and his family fleeing Jerusalem around 600 B.C. to the Americas, featuring visions of the Messiah, the corruption of the Bible, and the promise of a new land based on obedience.
2 Nephi
Nephi records the death of Lehi, the separation of the Nephites and Lamanites, extensive prophecies regarding the last days and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and doctrinal expositions on the Fall, agency, and the conditional nature of grace.
3 Nephi
A narrative account of the resurrected Jesus Christ appearing to the Nephites in the Americas, establishing His church, ordaining disciples, and delivering a sermon paralleling the Biblical Sermon on the Mount.
4 Nephi
A condensed historical narrative describing a 200-year 'Golden Age' of Christian utopia in the Americas following Jesus's visitation, followed by a rapid decline into pride, division, and total apostasy.
Alma
A lengthy narrative covering the reign of judges, extensive missionary efforts by Alma and the sons of Mosiah, and prolonged warfare led by Captain Moroni, emphasizing the necessity of repentance and the defense of religious liberty.
Helaman
This text chronicles the decline of the Nephite civilization through a cycle of pride, the rise of secret combinations (Gadianton robbers), and the prophetic ministries of Nephi and Samuel the Lamanite who warn of imminent destruction and Christ's coming.
Jacob
Jacob succeeds Nephi, condemning pride and polygamy, recording Zenos's allegory of the olive tree, and defeating the anti-Christ Sherem.
Jarom
Jarom records a brief genealogy and history of the Nephites, emphasizing their material prosperity resulting from obedience to the Law of Moses and the 'threatening' labor of prophets who enforced righteousness to prevent national destruction.
Mormon
A military and spiritual chronicle depicting the total annihilation of the Nephite civilization due to their rejection of God, concluding with Moroni's exhortation to future generations to believe in a God of miracles.
Moroni
The final book of the Book of Mormon, containing liturgical instructions, sermons on charity and infant baptism, and a concluding exhortation to verify the record's truth through prayer and perfect oneself to access grace.
Mosiah
The Book of Mosiah narrates the transition of the Nephite government from monarchy to a system of judges, centered around King Benjamin's sermon on service and indebtedness to God, the martyrdom of the prophet Abinadi, and the conversion of Alma the Younger.
The Book of Ether
A chronicle of the Jaredites, a civilization that traveled from the Tower of Babel to the Americas, prospered, and was eventually annihilated due to wickedness and secret combinations.
The Book of Omni
A multi-generational chronicle covering roughly 200 years in 30 verses, detailing the decline of the Nephites, the discovery of the people of Zarahemla (Mulekites), and the transition of kingship to Mosiah and subsequently Benjamin.
Words of Mormon
Mormon, the narrator, inserts the 'Small Plates of Nephi' into his abridgment due to a spiritual prompting, bridging the history to King Benjamin's reign.