Book of Jarom
The Book of Jarom is the fifth section in the Book of Mormon; it consists of only one chapter. Originally part of the Small Plates of Nephi, the book briefly covers the history of the Nephites during Jarom's lifetime.
Synopsis
Jarom, the author of the Book of Jarom, was a Nephite prophet in the Americas during approximately 400 B.C., or two hundred years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. Jarom is Lehi's great grandson, following the same lineage as his father Enos and his grandfather Jacob. Enos tasked Jarom with continuing the family's tradition of inscribing their works, genealogy, and other spiritual messages onto plates of metal.[1]
Jarom is quick to explain that his time was spent on things other than greatly expanding this familial history. Instead, his attentions were drawn to the immediate well-being of his people, who appeared to be struggling with their individual righteousness. "Behold," explains Jarom, "it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts." For this reason, Jarom's contribution to the Book of Mormon is but a single chapter, and a relatively brief one at that.[2]
Despite the record's brevity, it spans a wide number of years. It is explained that the Nephites had "waxed strong in the land" during their nearly two hundred years living on the American continents. Generally speaking, the Nephites at this time "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." Jarom then notes that the Lamanites were vastly more numerous than the Nephites, and that they "loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts." The two peoples apparently had many battles, the details of which are not given, yet due to the fact that Nephites had leaders who were "mighty men in the faith of the Lord" they were able to adequately defend themselves against their former brethren.[3]
However, it would seem that the Nephites at least occasionally were in danger of spiritual neglect. Jarom, fearing this, worked with other prophets to spread God's word among the Nephites. "Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land," the people had been admonished by the Lord. They "spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things." They tilled the ground and manufactured weapons of war. They became more industrious in their building abilities. And ultimately, it would seem that through "continually stirring them up unto repentance," Jarom and others were able to keep the Nephites mostly focused on God.[4]
The Book of Jarom concludes in the year 361 B.C., with Jarom stating his intent to pass along the record to his son Omni.[5]
