Concluding Thoughts

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

The transitional record keepers bridging the time frame between Jacob and King Benjamin cover a great many years in very few pages. Jarom, son of Enos and great-grandson of Lehi, conveys the engraved records to his son, Omni, around 361 b.c. The period of time subsequently covered by the ministry of Omni, Omni’s son Amaron, Amaron’s brother Chemish, Abinadom the son of Chemish, and Abinadom’s son Amaleki, is evidently somewhat over two centuries long (to around 130 b.c.). The entire transitional period from Enos to Amaleki is covered in around seven pages of modern text, of which the last major part is written by Amaleki. Amaleki is a personal witness to the events surrounding the life of the first Mosiah and his faithful group, who are led to safety by the Lord and discover the parallel civilization founded by immigrants who fled Jerusalem through divine intervention at the time of the Babylonian conquest. Amaleki’s testimony reflects the joy of the enlightened citizens of the newly discovered city and their leader Zarahemla when they once again have access to the brass plates and a record of their forefathers (see Omni 1:14). We learn that the last vestige of a third civilization, the people of Ether (the Jaredites), including examples of their records, have come to the attention of the people of Zarahemla some time before Mosiah comes onto the scene. Thus we see the Lord’s design in bringing together His word for the blessing of mankind. Though short, Amaleki’s account contains a priceless witness concerning “Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel” (verse 26) and a memorable exhortation to his readers to honor the covenant principles “and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved” (verse 26). Thereafter, Amaleki turns the sacred chronicle over to King Benjamin, the son of Mosiah. Thus the continuity of testimony pointing to Christ is preserved uninterrupted.

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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