It will be recalled back in the days of Nephi that he gave his small plates into the hands of his brother, Jacob, and these were thereafter kept among Jacob's descendants down to Amaleki. Amaleki, however, had no seed, and therefore turned the plates over to King Benjamin who had custody of the large plates.
Mormon says the library of historical plates were handed down from king Benjamin until they finally came into the possession of Mormon. He prays that this precious library will continue to be preserved. In fact, as he thinks about it, he is confident it will be preserved. He knows there are great things written in the Nephite records which will serve the purposes of God.