The Book of Omni

Omni 1

My father, Jarom, told me, Omni, to write on these plates. In my days, I fought much with the sword to save my people from the Lamanites. We had many seasons of peace and we had many seasons of terrible war. But I am a wicked man and I have not kept the commandments of the Lord as I should have. I give the plates to my son Amaron.

I, Amaron, write in the three hundred twentieth year. The Lamanites killed the most evil part of the Nephites. The Lord protected the good people. I give the plates to my brother Chemish.

I, Chemish, saw what Amaron wrote. He wrote it the day he gave the plates to me. In this way, we keep the records. It is the commandment of our fathers. Now I end.

I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. I saw much war. With my own sword, I have killed many of the Lamanites in the defense of my people.

I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. I speak to you about Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla. He was warned by the Lord to flee the land of Nephi-Lehi. Those who listened to the voice of the Lord went with him to the wilderness.

They were led by the power of God to a land that is called Zarahemla. Mosiah discovered an unknown people living there, but he could not understand their language. Mosiah taught them his language.

These people had left Jerusalem when Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away prisoner to Babylon. The Lord also brought them across the sea to this land.

The people of Zarahemla had no books of their history. They were full of joy when they saw that Mosiah had the plates of brass that told the stories of the Jews. The people of Zarahemla and of Mosiah joined together. Mosiah was appointed to be their king.

One day, a large stone with engravings was brought to Mosiah and he explained the engravings by the gift and power of God. The stone also told a few words about their fathers who came out from the tower of Babel.

I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah. When he died, my brother Benjamin ruled in his place. Some of the people of Mosiah wanted to go back to the land of their birth, so they went to the land of Lehi-Nephi.

Their leader was a strong and stubborn man. He started a great argument among them and they were all killed, except fifty. Those who survived returned to Zarahemla. Zeniff took another group into the wilderness toward the land of Nephi. I had a brother who went with them. We have not heard from any of them since.

I began to be old. Because King Benjamin is a fair man, I gave him these plates. I wish you would come to Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and be saved. Come to Him and offer your whole soul to Him. Continue fasting and praying. Hang on to the end. Then you will be saved.