It was Mormon's calling to abridge hundreds of plates -- the total records of the Nephite people -- into the Book of Mormon as it is found at present. Through his goal setting and accomplishment of those goals, we have the Book of Mormon as sacred scripture for our day. Mormon was a powerful man, both in body and spirit. Chosen to lead the Nephite armies while still but a youth, he fulfilled that responsibility for sixty years. Then, as an old man, he completed his most important role: that of scribe and abridger.