Not even the hundredth part of what the ancient prophets and historians wrote on the plates of Nephi is available to us at this point (see commentary at Words of Mormon 1:5; see also John’s witness in John 21:25). Joseph Smith once remarked, “If the Church knew all the commandments, one half they would condemn through prejudice and ignorance.”76
Jesus explained that he wants to try our faith; if we receive, believe, and live what we have been given, we will be given yet greater things. This is the established pattern to receive the mysteries of the kingdom (Alma 12:9–10; Ether 12:6; D&C 76:7–11). “There are records which contain much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness of the people” (D&C 6:26). If we do not pay the price to search out and live by the teachings we have already been given, we will be condemned for it and the greater things will continue to be withheld. “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them” (D&C 84:57).