Concerning this continent pertaining to the people possessing it at the time it was written B.C.:

"And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
(Note: this did happen...we now know that there were great civilizations upon this land that were wiped out).
And now, we can behond the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.
For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, they they are swept off."

Ether 2:7

Now - directed to the American Gentiles of the last days:

"And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God - that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that he may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."

Ether 2: 11-12

One more:

"Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophecy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."

2 Nephi 1: 6-7

Personal note: The Book of Mormon is a record of the people on the American continent. They came over originally from Jerusalem (one branch - another group came even earlier) about 600 B.C. If you read Ezekial 37: 16-17 the stick of Judah represents the Bible, the stick of Ephraim, the people here who brought forth the Book of Mormon. I need to find the exact reference, but in the New Testament Christ talks about "Other sheep have I which are not of this fold...." Before his ascension but after the crucifixion, Christ also visited the people here on this continent. There are stories of "Quozecoatal" (sp?) also known by other names, but all referring to the Great While God who was to return.

I know some of you likely have preconceived ideas about Mormons and I really do understand that being a convert myself. My sister is Baptist. I had relatives who turned on me when I joined the church when I was 15. Hasn't been easy....but I'm use to it. My only request is that you give us a fair shake in explaining any questions, etc., rather than reverting to those would like to put an evil slant on things. Just the other day on the radio some preacher was talking about us. I promise we do not brainwash.. We are very much about free will.