Book of Omni

The Book of Omni is a small book in the Book of Mormon. Originally part of the Small Plates of Nephi, the book follows the descendents of Jacob, Nephi's brother, as the plates are handed from father to son or from brother to brother. The book is essentially broken down into two sections: the brief records of the Jacobs descendent's and secondly, the ending to the small plates.

Descendent Records

The first part of the the Book of Omni contains several very brief passages recorded by Jacob's descendents. This section also makes mention of the continuing wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Through it, there is an underlying theme of the Nephites not prospering unless they were righteous. Principally, however, this part of the book covers the handover of the plates as follows: 1. Jarom to his son Omni. 2. Omni to his son Amaron 3. Amaron to his brother Chemish 4. Chemish to his son Abinadom 5. Abinadom to his son Amaleki

The End of the Small Plates of Nephi

Amaleki takes over the record and changes the pattern of the book by addressing the major events of his time. In this part of the book, Amaleki tells of how King Mosiah was told by the Lord to lead the Nephites out of the land and into the Land of Zarahemla. There, they encountered the people of Zarahemla, known as the Mulekites, who joined with the Nephites that followed King Mosiah in sustaining him as their king. The book then addresses the sole connection between the Nephites and the Jaredites, Coriantumr. Having been given a stone with engravings on it, King Mosiah translated it by the gift and power of god. The engravings told the story of the Jaredites and also of Coriantumr. Having survived entire self extermination of this people, Coriantumr dwelt among the Mulekites until he died nine months later. Lastly, the book addresses a group of Nephites who wanted to return to the land that they had fled with Mosiah. After an unsuccessful attempt, the group disappears on their second attempt, with no one knowing where they went. With his brother having disapeared with the group and having no heirs himself, Amaleki is left with no natural relative to give the plates to. He then closes the record of the entire small plates and then confers the records on King Benjamin, Mosiah's son, for safe keeping.