1 NOW I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, [ We learned back in Mormon 8:5 that he is out of ore so he will need to finish his record. So he must have found ore somewhere in his travels. If many cities were left destroyed he may have wandered into one that had some material already available for him to use. He has lived longer than he expected. He thought he would finish the Jaradite records which were primarly addressed to the Gentiles and that would be all that he was able to do before passing, but his life has been extended so he adds a little more to the records. Since he has an additional opportunity to write he will address the Lamanites. ] but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.

2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; [ As the Nephites were elliminated they turned on themselves more and more. War does things to people; they had been in the mode of destruction for so long; and so focused on it that they had to use their energy somewhere. ] and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life. [ How had does this have to be - wandering most likely by himself. He must somehow occassionaly come across other Nephites (we are informed in Mormon 6:15 that some
few Nephites escaped the wholesale slaughter at Cumorah), but for safety must try to go it alone. somehow he does learn what is going on; maybe seeing some of it first hand from a far off, maybe from crossing paths with other Nephites occassionaly - but certainly not from the Lamanites who would have killed him. ]

4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; [ first because he was previously out of ore Mormon 8:5; second because he did not think he would still be alive ( he ended up living 36 more years. ] for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, [ So now the audience will be the Lamanites; where it had been the Gentiles. ] in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.