how merciful the Lord hath been

"Nephi tells us in verse 20, that one of his major goals in his writing is to show us the "Tender Mercies" of the Lord.  Verse 20 of course is in the first Chapter of the Book of Mormon.  In the last chapter of the Book of Mormon (Moroni 10:3) Moroni expresses a Hope that we will have noticed "how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men".  These two verses, one at the beginning and one at the end, form "Bookends" for the content of the Book of Mormon, They serve as a reminder that the Lord loves to extend Kindness and Mercy to each of us.  The whole book is a reminder of this."

David J. Ridges

THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI

CHAPTER 1

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had ^acast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also ^bsought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender ^cmercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of ^ddeliverance.

THE BOOK OF MORONI

CHAPTER 10

  3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.