In a previous 5-part series entitled, “The Covenant Path Unveiled”, we uncovered the Savior’s personal teaching of what His true saving doctrine is (3Nephi 11-26).  Though the term “covenant path” is not found in scripture, His saving doctrine is referred to by other names in scripture including “my doctrine,” “the doctrine of Christ,” “the gospel” and others.  He teaches some important characteristics of His doctrine.  He also includes the very few, yet essential steps or milestones that you personally have to fulfill or receive.  If you have not yet studied through that 5-part series, I encourage you to do that first before studying this additional witness.

The purpose of that 5-part series was to clarify what the covenant path really is, to unveil the simplicity and beauty of the true covenant path so that it does not lose its meaning, and that you might know the true way to personal redemption.  As I stated about the Savior’s own teachings (3Nephi 11-26), my witness is that any other teaching of what the covenant path is other than what is taught by the Savior is rooted in darkness to frustrate your personal journey “in and through Jesus Christ.”

More Witnesses of the True Covenant Path

In addition to the Savior’s own teachings there are other Book of Mormon prophets that add their own witness of the true covenant path. We have previously unveiled the additional witness of Nephi, the witness of Jacob, and the witness of Enos. In this post we will unveil the witnesses of Jarom (son of Enos) & Omni (son of Jarom) and their posterity. I always invite you to first read it on your own and use the spirit of the Lord to help you see the doctrine of Christ with new eyes. Then feel free to supplement your own reading with mine. Use the spirit to discern any of my message as the Lord will help you discern. My comments are only there to help clarify the simplicity and beauty of Christ’s saving doctrine.  Happily, I will not stop sharing these witnesses and in future posts you will continue to see the witness of many, many more Book of Mormon prophets.

By now you should be reading the Book of Mormon with new eyes. If you have yet to see that the Book of Mormon was restored as an additional witness of the Everlasting Covenant and the doctrine of Christ, I invite you to study The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide. A person that reads the Book of Mormon without this critical understanding may miss the mark all together.

Jarom & Omni & Their Posterity

Like the book of Enos in the Book of Mormon, each of the books of Jarom and Omni are limited to just one chapter. It is true that the descendants of Joseph were given the responsibility to be the record keepers. So some have reasoned that the Book of Mormon is by default a historical book with spiritual highlights sprinkled throughout. At first glance it might seem as though this is the case with the books of Enos, Jarom, and Omni. However, this is absolutely a false idea.

Imagine for a moment, the piles of records (plates) of many peoples laid out before Mormon. Then imagine the task given to him to very selectively discern which records should be extracted and compiled into what is now known today as the Book of Mormon. If you have studied the witnesses of the Lord, Nephi, Jacob and Enos so far you should have realized by now that the Book of Mormon should never be relegated as just a historical record. Keep in mind that the records contained in the Book of Mormon are not even complete from month to month, year to year, decade to decade or even century to century. If a person expects this to be a historical record they must be extremely disappointed because it is missing huge chunks of historical information — and these are record keepers mind you. This is not by accident!

Through the gifts of the spirit (revelation, visions, prophecy, etc.), Mormon was very intentional about what he included. In addition, his own personal commentary is flooded throughout the entire Book of Mormon. I could go on and on about this but the point I want to make here is that even in these very slim chapters of Jarom and Omni, Mormon was continuing to reinforce the his overall theme of the Book of Mormon which is to come unto Christ, come follow Him, and receive salvation and eternal life while you are in your mortal probation.

My witness is that the Book of Mormon is a how-to study guide for a necessary relationship with the Lord. So, if you studied the previous witnesses and you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will also see why Mormon included these slivers of the words and experiences in the lives of Enos, Jarom, and Omni.

Unveiling The Gems of Jarom

Jarom tells us that he did experience many of the gifts of the spirit. However, he chooses not to share them with us. By comparison, he does not think he has anything to add to the records of Jacob and those that have gone before him. He is not going to share the details but one of the gems here is that he is adding his own witness to those that have gone before him. So, if you have previously studied the witnesses Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, and Enos then you know what he is attesting to.

2 And as these plates are small, and as these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites, wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little; but I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me.

Another gem is that Jarom is attesting that the words of the fathers are, in fact, “the plan of salvation.” For all those terms, labels, or phrases that Nephi and Jacob use, Jarom is adding his own confirming witness to them.

3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffnessof their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.

4 And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.

Clearly Jarom was familiar with the gifts of the spirit. But an even more notable gem is his awareness of the doctrine of Christ and the role of faith that leads to communion with the Holy Spirit which is the gift of the Holy Ghost that comes after one’s baptism of fire and Holy Ghost. It’s this gift that enables the “many revelations” that Jarom speaks of.

5 And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord. And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict.

6 And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more numerous than were they of the Nephites; and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts.

7 And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance.

8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war—yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.

9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.

10 And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land.

11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them.

A few things to note here in verses 10 and 11: one being that prophets is plural. A prophet is anyone that is exercising the gift of prophecy which is to speak the words of the Lord that are revealed to that person.

Also, notice that the teachers were not only teaching the strictness of the law of Moses but equally focused on teaching the people “the intent for which it was given.” Jarom clearly new that the purpose of the law was to be a transformational experience for each person. The law (as we find out later in the Book of Mormon) cannot offer salvation. The only being authorized to offer salvation was the Messiah. This is not just saying that Jesus was the only qualified being to offer Himself as an atoning sacrifice but in an eternal perspective the Lord Jesus Christ is the only being authorized to bestow salvation upon each person. Each person has to seek out a very personal relationship with the Lord. As Jarom points out, the purpose of the law was only to point each soul to Chirst–enough so that they might initiate a very personal relationship with Him because that’s the only means of receiving salvation.

12 And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance.

It was both the efforts of the teachers and the commitment of each person to seek the Lord that kept them from being “destroyed upon the face of the land.” Repentance is making a commitment, or recommitment, to that personal relationship with the Lord.

13 And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight years had passed away—after the manner of wars, and contentions, and dissensions, for the space of much of the time.

14 And I, Jarom, do not write more, for the plates are small. But behold, my brethren, ye can go to the other plates of Nephi; for behold, upon them the records of our wars are engraven, according to the writings of the kings, or those which they caused to be written.

15 And I deliver these plates into the hands of my son Omni, that they may be kept according to the commandments of my fathers.

If this record were isolated and separate from others that we have, this record might seem extremely insignificant. Again however, if you have studied the previous witnesses tied to this, Jarom’s witness adds great value to the theme of the Book of Mormon. You can also understand why Mormon included it in this compilation.

Unveiling The Gems of Omni & His Posterity

1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to preserve our genealogy—

Same reason that his father, Jarom, had for sharing a record.

2 Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done.

Omni uses a key word here to describe himself–“a wicked man.” One might conclude that Omni was evil. But how is it that Jarom would entrust an evil person with such important records. His additional words help tell the more complete story–that he “did not keep the statutes and commandments of the Lord as he ought to have done.” The statutes are the doctrines of God. The commandments of the Lord are personal revelations. He knew full well what his personal relationship with the Lord was and was not. Omni is telling us that he did not pursue, or ceased pursuing, the doctrine of Christ at some point. He lacked faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because faith is exercising obedience to the Lord’s personal commands (revelations). One gem to note here is that he is judging his own relationship to God by whether he pursued the doctrine of Christ by keeping the Lord’s words (commandments, revelations).

3 And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had many seasons of serious war and bloodshed. Yea, and in fine, two hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the commandments of my fathers; and I conferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.

Amaron

4 And now I, Amaron, write the things whatsoever I write, which are few, in the book of my father.

5 Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years had passed away, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed.

6 For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land.

7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my brother Chemish.

Notice what is missing in this record from previous records going back to Jacob and Nephi.

Chemish

9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

Again, notice what is missing in this record from previous records going back to Jacob and Nephi.

Abinadom

10 Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with my own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defence of my brethren.

11 And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.

What is still missing? Also, the absence of the gifts of the spirit is a sign of apostasy.

Amaleki

Amaleki, as a narrator after the fact, is going to explain what happened to this people.

12 Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—

When someone is called to flee or separate themselves, this is a type of judgment. Ponder why Mosiah would be called to flee from the Nephites from the generations previously noted (Amaron, Chemish, Abinadom)? What was missing?

13 And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.

Having fled and obedient to the commandment of the Lord, these people were led by those that were able to exercise the gifts of the spirit (revelation, prophesying, etc.).

The fact that people were called to flee was a sign of apostasy to some degree. Apostasy is a “falling away from the true doctrine and commandments of the Lord.” It can be both personal and prevalent among groups of people. The Lord will always call out those who will listen (ears to hear) to other places where they can accomplish the work of the Lord under the Lord’s continual guidance and truth.

14 And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.

15 Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.

Proof that the Lord will always call out those who will listen (ears to hear) to other places where they can accomplish the work of the Lord under the Lord’s continual guidance and truth. The fact that people were called to flee was a sign of apostasy to some degree. In this case it was apostasy in Jerusalem.

16 And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth.

17 And at the time that Mosiah discovered them, they had become exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to time; and their language had become corrupted; and they had brought no records with them; and they denied the being of their Creator; and Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could understand them.

The obvious signs of apostasy–they had fallen by the sword, corrupted language, did not keep records, and were unfamiliar with God to the point they denied Him. Some signs are not so obvious until it is revealed across time.

18 But it came to pass that Mosiah caused that they should be taught in his language. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of his fathers, according to his memory; and they are written, but not in these plates.

The omniscience and mercy of the Lord enabled Mosiah to flee apostasy with the plates of brass and go to a people that would embrace Mosiah, his truth, and his records. Note that the plates of brass were the same records that Lehi and Nephi and their family studied from and became even more acquainted with the doctrines of “the fathers,” or Christ’s doctrine. The doctrine of Christ is the how-to of developing a special relationship with the Lord to the point to where they receive all things directly from God including the gifts of the spirit–no intermediary necessary.

19 And it came to pass that the people of Zarahemla, and of Mosiah, did unite together; and Mosiah was appointed to be their king.

20 And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.

Is there any question why they would embrace Mosiah as their leader?–he was an inspired man of the Lord. He exercised the gifts of the spirit and demonstrated the Lord’s guidance, wisdom, truth and power.

21 And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.

22 It also spake a few words concerning his fathers. And his first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward.

23 Behold, I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah; and I have lived to see his death; and Benjamin, his son, reigneth in his stead.

24 And behold, I have seen, in the days of king Benjamin, a serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites did obtain much advantage over them; yea, insomuch that king Benjamin did drive them out of the land of Zarahemla.

With Mosiah being called out from among the apostate Nephites, a minor restoration was initiated. The fruits of it are in the records, leadership, and guidance of Mosiah and then passed down to his son, Benjamin, and his righteous leadership.

25 And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil.

26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

We are seeing this restoration of truth and the doctrine of Christ come full circle now. Amaleki is the product of the teachings and conversion to the doctrine of Christ under the leadership of both Mosiah and his son, Benjamin. The evidence is in his dying exhortation “to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in” the various gifts of the spirit. We have not seen this type of written exhortation since Enos’ living example and the exhortations from Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Enos and even Jarom’s reference to the plan of salvation. The doctrine of Christ was restored after a minor apostasy. It was made available because Mosiah was willing to leave the once righteous and chosen Nephites to preserve the plates of brass and the doctrine of Christ.

The True Path & The Covenant

“I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.“

Omni 1:26

What may have previously been viewed as a small, short, insignificant or even just as a historical record only should now be seen in a totally new light. Is there any doubt why such condensed records were hand selected by Mormon to be left for you to discover?!?! God is soooooo good! He is soooooo amazing! He is in every detail—whether it is in the life of Jarom, Omni and their posterity or whether it is guiding Mormon to continue the theme of the Book of Mormon (to come unto Christ and receive salvation). Praise the Lord!!

This may have been a little different format for unveiling the covenant path from what we have done before but you should see that we have ended up in the same place. At some point, because of the omniscience and mercy of the Lord, a way was provided for people to retain a knowledge of the doctrine of Christ. Consistent with their forefathers of the Book of Mormon, their dying witness is to pursue Christ’s doctrine and receive complete and personal redemption (salvation) from the Lord. Also note the witness of Amaleki to not only fulfill Christ’s doctrine but to do so while embracing all the gifts of the spirit and good things of the Lord God.

1. Sufficient hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Repentance

3. “Baptism in the name of the Son”

3a. Baptism of repentance (water)

3b. Baptism of fire (blood) and Holy Ghost (Spirit) for the remission of sins

4. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost that dwells in you and allows you to start a new relationship with the Lord (Mentor-Apprentice-type relationship)

5. Receive the presence of the Lord and the promise of eternal life

Who or What Does the Record Say Is the Central Figure of This Covenant Path?  In Whom Should We Put Faith?  In Whom Are We Actually Saved?  In Whom or What Are We Not Saved?

25 And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil.

26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

Note: Just as you did with the teaching of the Savior (3Nephi 11-30), as you study this witness here of the central figure and who is the means by which personal redemption is received.  Again, notice what the covenant path is and is not or at least what it is not compared to what you thought it was or what you may have been previously taught that it is. Notice how redemption comes and not how it comes. In other words, salvation and exaltation do not come through any institution or person other than personally in and through Jesus Christ.

“O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.”

2 Nephi 9:19-20

Conclusion

This witness validates the Savior’s own teaching and yet it comes hundreds of years before the birth of the Savior.  Yet they were taught of the coming of the Savior that would fulfill the Everlasting Covenant.  Those with gifts of the spirit saw our day and the knew these records would be revealed to Jew, Gentile and the seed of his brethren.  What greatness the true covenant path is–the Everlasting Covenant.

For more understanding of this covenant path and its milestones taught throughout the scriptures, you are welcome to begin your personal study and your own journey in and through the doctrine of Christ through The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide. Also, to help you increase your confidence in personal revelation and develop your own gift of discernment, I invite you to study The 3 Voices of Personal Revelation Study Guide.

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JourneyDoctrineOfChrist.org is based on free, online study guides to help you learn, believe, live and teach the Doctrine of Christ. The Study Guides invite any and all to see and know this truth for themselves that the Savior, Jesus Christ, has, in fact, introduced His doctrine and He personally invites all to receive personal redemption and literally receive Him while in the flesh (mortality).

Blog posts are only intended to supplement the Study Guides.  Per all blog posts, seek the understanding and confirmations from the Lord in your own personal revelation.  Study guides are intended to point you to both the Lord’s written word and His voice (personal revelation). These study guides will help you uncover what the Doctrine of Christ is and other essential topics that will help you in your journey to literally “come unto Christ” while in mortality. All study guides are available at JourneyDoctrineOfChrist.org.