Even though Omni comments that "I of myself am a wicked man" (Omni 1:2), one should be careful not to classify all the recordkeepers and all the Nephites wicked during the time covered by the book of Omni. Jarom, the father of Omni, noted that "there are many among us who have many revelations" (Jarom 1:4). Amaron, the son of Omni, will later comment that, "the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed" (Omni 1:5) and that the Lord "did spare the righteous" (Omni 1:7). Although Abinadom, the nephew of Amaron, will mention that "I know of no revelation save that which has been written" (Omni 1:11), it is possible that he might have been referring to the fact that the prophecies known to him had already been recorded on the large plates or other records such that Abinadom did not feel obligated to record them again on the small plates. Finally Amaleki, the son of Abinadom, will exhort "all men to come unto God" (Omni 1:25). Therefore, we have to wonder if Omni's "wickedness" was only in comparison with the other prophets and not with the people in general. Perhaps Omni felt unworthy because he had "fought much with the sword" (Omni 1:2) and possibly had shed much blood, as the Jewish king David had. David received the revelations on how to build a temple to the Lord but was not allowed to build it because he had seen too much war and bloodshed (see 1 Chronicles 22:8). [See the commentary on Omni 1:13]
Omni 1:3 I [Omni] conferred them upon my son Amaron (Nephite Record Keepers) [[Illustration]]: Nephite Record Keepers. Adapted from [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 155]
Omni 1:8-9 I [Amaron] did deliver the [small] plates unto my brother Chemish (Nephite Record Keepers) [[Illustration]]: Nephite Record Keepers. Adapted from [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 155]