The Seventy's Course in Theology, First Year / Outline History of the Seventy and A Survey of the Books of Holy Scripture

by B. H. Roberts

2. Summary of the Book of Mormon: "In this important and interesting book the history of ancient America is unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that came from the Tower of Babel, at the confusion of languages to the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian Era. We are informed by these records that America in ancient times had been inhabited by two distinct races of people. The first were called Jaredites, and came directly from the Tower of Babel. The second race came directly from the city of Jerusalem, about six hundred years before Christ. They were principally Israelites, of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time that the Israelites who succeeded them in the inheritance of the country, came from Jerusalem. The principal nation of the second race fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the Indians that now inhabit this country. This book also tells us that our Savior made his appearance upon this [the American] continent after his resurrection; that he planted the gospel here in all its fulness, and richness, and power, and blessing; that they had Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists; the same order the same Priesthood, the same ordinances, gifts, powers, and blessings, as were enjoyed on the eastern continent; that the people were cut off in consequence of their transgressions; that the last of their Prophets who existed among them was commanded to write an abridgement of their prophecies, history, etc., and to hide it up in the earth, and that it should come forth and be united with the Bible for the accomplishment of the purposes of God in the last days." (Joseph Smith, Wentworth Letter.)

3. Book of Mormon Writers: As indicated in the lesson analysis, the Book of Mormon writers may be divided into two groups, separated by a period of nearly a thousand years. The first group consists of nine writers:

I Nephi, who writes 127 1/2 pages.

Jacob, brother of Nephi, 21 1/2 pages.

Zenos, son of the above Jacob, 2 1/2 pages.

Jarom, son of the above Zenos, 2 pages.

In the book of Omni there are but 3 1/2 pages, but there are five writers, each of whom records merely a few lines. The names follow:

Omni, son of the above Omni.

Amaron, son of the above Omni.

Chemish, brother of the above Amaron.