Omni, son of Jarom and a descendant of Nephi, was a Nephite record keeper appointed to maintain the annals and genealogy of his people on the small plates of Nephi. He assumed this responsibility in 361 BC, as directed by his father, with a specific admonition to adhere to the commandments set by his forefathers (Jarom 1:15). In his record, Omni acknowledges his own spiritual failings, stating, “I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done” (Omni 1:2).
Despite his self-professed shortcomings, Omni described himself as a warrior who vigorously defended his people against their enemies, the Lamanites. He played an active role in the military affairs of his time, ensuring the safety and continuation of the Nephite nation (Omni 1:2). His contributions to the secular and militaristic defense of his people underscore a dichotomy between his capability as a leader in times of conflict and his personal feelings of inadequacy in spiritual matters.
In approximately 317 BC, after years marked by both war and peace, Omni passed the sacred records to his son Amaron. During his tenure, he managed to preserve these important records, even if his own additions were sparse and focused more on their preservation through turbulent times than on detailed chronicling of events or teachings (Omni 1:3). Omni’s record is succeeded by the brief accounts of his son Amaron and later descendants, who continued the practice of maintaining their ancestral lineage and shared history.