Omni

Who wrote it? 5 different authors
Omni (son of Jarom-described himself as a sinner)
Amaron (son of Omni)
Chemish (son of Omni)
Abinadom (son of Chemish)
Amaleki (son of Abinadom-author of most of the book-finally trusted the plates to King Benjamin at the end because he had no seed to pass them on to)


Summary:  The beginning of the book seems to me to be very distant, and I can tell the contention must have been bad because the writers even seem to be more apostate and they hadn't really received any new revelation.  The Lord protected the righteous Nephites, and in turn they were led by Mosiah to the land of Zarahemla. They discover the Mulekites there, and Mosiah is made a king over them.  They also discover the last man of the Jaredites (Coriantumr) who lives with them in Zarahemla.  Then King Mosiah dies and King Benjamin takes his place.  

Time Period: 361 B.C-130 B.C. (331 year period).  The first four authors wrote in the land of Nephi, but Amaleki kept his record in Zarahemla.  

What Was Going On in the World:




Main Characters:
Mulekites (the people of Zarahemla)
Jaredites (led to the promised land with the Mulekites)
King Mosiah
King Benajamin
Coriantumr
Omni
Amaron
Chemish
Abinadom
Amaleki
A brother of Amaleki left with other Nephites to return to the Land of Nephi, has not been heard from since.  

Purpose: 
Basically, I think this book is included because it provides an explanation of how we got to be with the Mulekites in the book.  It also shows that God will deliver the righteous.  

Other Interesting Facts:

Omni covers more time than any other book in the small plates.

• This book tells us about King Mosiah the First (Father of King Benjamin, eventually would be a grandfather to King Mosiah the Second).  The First king Mosiah led the righteous Nephites from the land of Nephi to safety in Zarahemla, with Amaleki there.  In this book it talks about how the Lord guided the Mulekites from Jerusalem to the Land of Promise very close to the time Lehi had also been led out of Jerusalem (Mulekites= People of Zarahemla).
• This book is the first time the Jaredites are mentioned.  
• I read that in Mosiah it will talk more about the Nephites that left Zarahemla to return to the land of Nephi and their inheritance.