Omni 1:1
Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write some [things] upon these plates, to preserve our genealogy -
Omni 1:2
Therefore, in my days, I willed that you should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I should have done.
Omni 1:3
And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had many seasons of serious war and bloodshed. Indeed, and in fine, two hundred and eighty two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the commandments of my fathers; and I conferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.
Omni 1:4
And now I, Amaron, write these things, whatsoever I write, which are few, in the book of my father.
Omni 1:5
Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years had passed away, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed.
Omni 1:6
For the Lord would not allow, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, indeed, He would not allow that the words should not be verified, which He spoke to our fathers, saying that, "Inasmuch as you will not keep My commandments, you will not prosper in the land."
Omni 1:7
Therefore, the Lord visited them in great judgement; nevertheless, He spared the righteous so that they should not perish, but delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.
Omni 1:8
And it came to pass that I delivered the plates to my brother Chemish.
Omni 1:9
Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same Book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them to me. And after this manner, we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.
Omni 1:10
Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with my own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defense of my brethren.
Omni 1:11
And behold, the record of this people is engraved upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation except that which has been written, neither prophecy; therefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.
Omni 1:12
Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak to you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned by the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many who would listen to the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness -
Omni 1:13
And it came to pass that he did accordingly as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many who would listen to the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesying. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of His arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.
Omni 1:14
And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing amongst the people of Zarahemla; and Zarahemla also rejoiced exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.
Omni 1:15
Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.
Omni 1:16
And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth.
Omni 1:17
And at the time that Mosiah discovered them, they had become exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to time; and their language had become corrupted; and they had brought no records with them; and they denied the being of their Creator; and Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could understand them.
Omni 1:18
But it came to pass that Mosiah caused that they should be taught in his language. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of his fathers, according to his memory; and they are written, but not in these plates.
Omni 1:19
And it came to pass that the people of Zarahemla, and of Mosiah, united together; and Mosiah was appointed to be their king.
Omni 1:20
And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought to him with engravings on it; and he interpreted the engravings by the gift and power of God.
Omni 1:21
And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.
Omni 1:22
It also spoke a few words concerning his fathers. And his first parents came out from the Tower [of Babel], at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to His judgements, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward.
Omni 1:23
Behold, I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah; and I have lived to see his death; and Benjamin, his son, reigns in his stead.
Omni 1:24
And behold, I have seen, in the days of king Benjamin, a serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites obtained much advantage over them; indeed, insomuch that king Benjamin drove them out of the land of Zarahemla.
Omni 1:25
And it came to pass that I began to be old; and having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, therefore, I will deliver up these plates to him, exhorting all men to come to God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good except it comes from the Lord, and that which is evil comes from the devil.
Omni 1:26
And now, my beloved brethren, I willed that you should come to Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake in his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Indeed, come to him, and offer your whole souls as an offering to him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord lives, you will be saved.
Omni 1:27
And now I would speak somewhat concerning a certain number who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephi; for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance.
Omni 1:28
Therefore, they went up into the wilderness. And their leader, being a strong and mighty man, and a stiff-necked man, therefore he caused a contention amongst them; and they were all slain, except fifty in the wilderness, and they returned again to the land of Zarahemla.
Omni 1:29
And it came to pass that they also took others to a considerable number, and took their journey again into the wilderness.
Omni 1:30
And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them; and I have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down in my grave; and these plates are full. And I make an end of my speaking.