Amaleki was a Nephite record keeper and a significant figure in the narrative near the conclusion of the small plates of Nephi. He played a key role in preserving the historical and religious legacy of his people through his writings in the Book of Mormon. He is known for being the final author in the book of Omni, which is a compilation of several brief records from different authors spanning a considerable period of Nephite history.
In his writings, Amaleki recorded the significant event of the Nephite people, under the leadership of Mosiah, leaving the land of Nephi and discovering the people of Zarahemla, who were descendants of Mulek (Omni 1:12-19). He thus documented the union of these two groups and noted that Mosiah was appointed to be their king. Furthermore, Amaleki described the journey of Mosiah and the conveyance of sacred records, including the plates of brass containing the record of the Jews and a portion of the lineages of the Nephite leaders, which Mosiah brought to Zarahemla.
Notably, Amaleki also participated in an expedition led by a Nephite leader named Ammon, who was looking for a group that had previously set out from Zarahemla to re-inhabit the land of Nephi (Mosiah 7:6). He witnessed the discovery of the colony governed by King Limhi, the grandson of Zeniff, and the eventual assistance rendered by Ammon and his brethren, including Amaleki, in the safe return of Limhi’s people to Zarahemla (Mosiah 7:14; 22:13).
Having no offspring to pass on his record-keeping duties, Amaleki delivered the plates to King Benjamin, encouraged his readers toward righteousness, and bore his testimony of the gospel (Omni 1:25-26). His words exhort future generations to come unto Christ and partake in His salvation, emphasizing the endurance in faith and prayer, themes consistent with his predecessors’ teachings on the small plates. Through his concise but powerful contributions, Amaleki provided a witness of Christ and testified of the importance of sacred records in preserving truth and guiding the Nephite people.