Jarom 1:13-15

Brant Gardner

All of the book of Jarom is clearly written retrospectively. There is not a clear place where we could suggest that at a given point Jarom ended a writing event and started again. It is likely that this was all written as a single event. The fact that verse 14 mentions that he cannot write more, and that the plates are small, echo verse 2 which nearly says the same thing, suggesting that those considerations were there both before and after writing. The statements appear as bookends to the rest of the record.

Jarom has spoken of wars, but only in the context of the promise of the land. There are no details. As one who is obeying Nephi’s command for this set of plates, that is to be expected. Jarom knows of the large plates and what they contain, so he would clearly understand the distinction between these small plates and the larger collection, which contained more details of wars and contentions.

These plates are to be passed from father to son, for the most part. Jarom indicates that he will do so when he gives them to his son, Omni, for whom the next book is named.

Book of Mormon Minute

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