Br. Martins' Lecture Notes for Book of Mormon - Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon

Enos, Jarom, Omni

& The Words of Mormon

Enos 1

Enos' spiritual wrestle (2)

One day, the teachings he had been hearing at home and in church for a long time finally took root (3-4)
After receiving a remission of his sins, he sought the same blessing for his people (9)
Then, he sought the same blessing for his enemies, the Lamanites (11)

The Lord makes a covenant with Enos regarding the Lamanites (16)

. A sacred record would be preserved to the Lamanites of the future (13)

. Here is an insight into the power of Enos' faith: he believed that the Lord would preserve that record and bring it to the Lamanites, even though it would happen over 2,000 years after his lifetime

A description of the ancient Lamanites (20)

Many prophets appeared among the Nephites (22)

. We have no idea about who these prophets were or what they preached to the people. The Book of Mormon is just an abridgement of sacred records spanning about 1,000 years

Only harsh discourses and clarity in preaching could keep the Nephites from apostatizing (23)

. Yes, even "good guys" can apostatize (see D&C 20:32-34)

Chronology: 179 years since Lehi's departure from Jerusalem (25)

. A total of 124 years have already elapsed since the beginning of the Book of Jacob

Enos' assurance of his eternal salvation (27)

Jarom 1

Nephites become wicked; yet, there were many still faithful (3-4)

Lamanites are more numerous than Nephites (4)

Chronology: 200-238 years since Lehi's departure from Jerusalem (5,13)

Nephites start to fortify their cities. Precious things abound (8)

. This is one of the earliest (and few) glimpses of the Nephite economy in the small plates of Nephi. We see hints of defense, mining, and construction industries, plus mechanized agriculture

. Can you imagine how numerous both Nephites and Lamanites had become by then? There is no need to find a number; just consider that they had cities, farms, armies, and diverse industries

Belief in the Messiah is not limited or affected by time or location (11)

Prophets, priests, and teachers pricked the people's hearts with the word (12)

Omni 1

The second great migration in the Book of Mormon (12-13)

King Mosiah discovers the people of Zarahemla, a.k.a. the Mulekites (14-15)

Fairly numerous, atheist, belligerent, with corrupted language (17)
Zarahemla was a descendant of Mulek, son of king Zedekiah of Judah (see Mosiah 25:2)
Discovery of the large stone with engravings telling the story of Coriantumr, the last Jaredite king, who spent his final days (or months) of life among the early Mulekites (21)

. That might have happened some 300 years earlier

Amaleki's final counsel: offer your whole soul as an offering to the Lord (26)

Words of Mormon

The end of the abridgement of the small plates of Nephi (3)

King Benjamin sets the house in order (16,18)