“Omni,” Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students (2012), 101–3
“Omni,” Book of Mormon Study Guide, 101–3
Introduction to Omni
Why Study This Book?
Through your study of the book of Omni, you will learn that the Lord protected the righteous Nephites and led them to the land of Zarahemla (see Omni 1:7, 12–13). The book of Omni also mentions other groups—the Mulekites (or people of Zarahemla) and the Jaredites, whom the Lord guided to the promised land.
Who Wrote This Book?
The book of Omni was written by five different men: Omni, Amaron, Chemish, Abinadom, and Amaleki. Omni was the son of Jarom and a great-great-grandson of Lehi and Sariah. Omni described himself as “a wicked man” who had “not kept … the commandments of the Lord” (Omni 1:2). Amaron (son of Omni), Chemish (brother of Amaron), and Abinadom (son of Chemish) each added short entries. Abinadom’s son Amaleki wrote most of the book of Omni and was the last person to write on the small plates of Nephi. He entrusted the plates to King Benjamin.
When and Where Was It Written?
The various authors of the book of Omni wrote sometime between 361 B.C. and 130 B.C. The first four authors wrote in the land of Nephi. Amaleki made his record in the land of Zarahemla.