Jarom Flashcards
What are some important points in the book of Jarom?
He does not write much, because he says, “For what could I write more than my fathers have written?”
Is the times that Jarom is living in similar to ours?
Yes, there is an increasing tide of apostasy brewing. See Jarom 1:3
3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.
But then Jarom states in verse 4…
4 And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.
It seems that their their society is much like ours today. The righteous are becoming more and more righteous, and those who are sloppy about the gospel are getting farther and farther into the ways of the world.
Jarom 1:3-4
BofM made easier, part #1, p. 386
What happened when the Lamanites would come to battle against the people in Jaroms time?
7 And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance.
Jarom 1:7
Who is Jarom?
He is Enos’s son.
Jarom 1:1
In Jarom 1:8-9 we have counsel for war preparations. What is it?
It is wise to prepare for war, even in times of peace.
8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war–yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
BofM made easier, part #1, p. 387
When did Jarom write on the plates?
What were things like during Jarom’s time?
200 years after Lehi left Jerusalem
BofM made easier, part #1, p. 386
It states in Jarom 1:5 that the people had “waxed strong” in the land, and that they kept the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy. “They profaned not; neither did they blaspheme.” It also sounds like they had good laws (good laws help preserve good people).
But there is a growing tide of apostasy…
Jarom 1:3-4
3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.
4 And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.
This sounds a lot like our day where the righteous are growing more righteous and those who are sloppy in the gospel are falling deeper into the ways of the world.
Jarom 1:6-7 states that there were many more Lamanites than Nephites, and that the Lamanites loved murder and would drink the blood of animals which was a direct violation of Old Testament law. Also, the Lamanites had come upon the Nephites many times to battle, but the Nephite kings and that their leaders were “mighty men in the faith of God,” and so they were able to withstand and drive them out of their cities. They also began to fortify their cities and make preparations for war. They also grew very prosperous.
In Jarom 1:8-9 it states…
8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war–yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
Jarom finishes his writings by telling how the prophets “labored diligently” to teach the people of Christ and to warn the people to keep the commandments or they would be destroyed off the face of the land.
Jarom 1:3-12
Jarom (Enos’s son)explains how a specific promise of The Lord to his fathers was verified, or proven to be true. What was that promise?
Jarom 1:9
9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
What role did prophets and other leaders play in helping the Nephites be obedient and prosper?
Jarom 1:7, 10-12
7 And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance.
10 And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land.
11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them.
12 And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance.
The prophets of Jarom’s time were preaching God’s promise that if the people keep the commandments they will prosper and if they don’t they will be destroyed off the face of the land. How was this promise later verified? See Omni 1:5-7
In Omni 1:5-7, Amaron (Omni’s son) writes…
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.
6 For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land.
7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.
In the BofM study guide for Jarom, President Utchdorf relates a story when he was training to be a pilot. He states,
“I remember when I was preparing to be trained as a fighter pilot. We spent a great deal of our preliminary military training in physical exercise. I’m still not exactly sure why endless running was considered such an essential predatory part of becoming a pilot. Nevertheless, we ran and we ran and we ran and we ran some more.”
“As I was running I began to notice something that, frankly, troubled me. Time and again I was being passed by men who smoked, drank, and did all manner of things that were contrary to the gospel, and in particular, to the Word of Wisdom.”
“I remember thinking, ‘Wait a minute! Aren’t I supposed to be able to run and not be weary?’ But I was weary, and I was overtaken by people who were definitely not following the Word of Wisdom. I confess, it troubled me at the time. I asked myself, was the promise true or was it not?”
In Jarom 1:9, Jarom explains how a specific promise made to his father was verified or later proven to be true.
9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
How can we know that The Lord’s promises are sure?
President Utchdorf continues…“The answer didn’t come immediately. But eventually I learned that God’s promises are not always fulfilled as quickly as or in the way we might hope; they come according to His timing and in His ways. Years later I could see clear evidence of the temporal blessings that come to those who obey the Word of Wisdom-in addition to spiritual blessings that come immediately from obedience to Gods laws. Looking back, I know for sure that the promises of The Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain.”
BofM study guide p. 101-102
