Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
THE BOOK OF JAROM
The Book of Jarom
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1 Now behold, I, Jarom, write a few words according to the commandment of my father Enos, that our genealogy may be kept. 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.
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1 Now I Jarom write a few words to obey my father Enos’ commandment, so that our genealogy can be maintained. 2 Because these plates are small, and because these things are written to benefit our relatives the Lamanites, it requires me to write a little. But I won’t write about my prophesying or revelations. Indeed, what more could I write than my forefathers have written; haven’t they revealed the plan of salvation? I say: Yes, and I’m satisfied with this.
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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 stiffness of their necks. Nevertheless, God is exceeding 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.
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3 It requires a lot of effort to help this people — because of their hard hearts, deaf ears, blind minds, and stiff necks. Nevertheless, God is very merciful to them and hasn’t swept them off the land yet. 4 Many of us have many revelations, because not everyone is stubborn. All who are not stubborn, and have faith, have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, which reveals things according to mankind’s faith.
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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 exceeding strict. 6 And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceeding more numerous than were they of the Nephites, and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts.
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5 Now 200 years had elapsed, and the Nephites had become strong in the land. They paid careful attention to keeping the Law of Moses and the Sabbath day holy to the Lord, and they didn’t treat or speak about the things of God profanely or with contempt. The laws of the land were very strict. 6 And they had spread out over most of the land, and the Lamanites as well, who were much more numerous than the Nephites. They loved murder and would drink animal blood.
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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 exceeding 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.
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7 They attacked us, the Nephites, many times in battle. But our kings and leaders were faithful to the Lord and they taught the people the Lord’s ways. So we successfully resisted the Lamanites and removed them from our lands, began fortifying our cities, and defending all the land we inherited. 8 We greatly increased in numbers and spread across the land and became very rich in gold, silver, and valuables; in fine woodworking, buildings, and clever devices; in iron, copper, brass, and steel; making all kinds of tools to till the ground and weapons as well — sharp, pointed arrows, quivers, light spears, and heavy spears — and prepared for war. 9 Because we were prepared to fight the Lamanites, they didn’t succeed against us. But the Lord’s warning to our fathers was verified, which said: To the degree you keep My commandments, you’ll prosper in the land.
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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. 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.
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10 The Lord’s prophets sternly warned the Nephites according to God’s word, that if they didn’t keep the commandments but fell into transgression, they would be removed from the earth. 11 Therefore, the prophets, priests, and teachers taught continually, patiently urging the people to be diligent. They taught the Law of Moses and the purpose behind it, persuading them to anticipate Christ and believe in Him who was to come as if He had already come. This is how they taught them. 12 By teaching this to penetrate their hearts with the word and continually urging them to repent, they prevented them from being destroyed.
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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 record of our wars are engraven according to the writings of the kings, or that which they cause 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.
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13 Now 238 years had come and gone — and wars, conflicts, and violent fighting happened frequently. 14 And I Jarom don’t write anything more since the plates are quite limited. But, my people, you can go to Nephi’s other plates. The records of our wars are engraved there, according to what the kings wrote or caused to be written. 15 Now I’ll deliver these plates to the care of my son Omni so they can be kept according to my forefathers’ commandments.