“[B]ut I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me.”

Jarom’s remarks inspired both respect and sorrow. On the one hand, it is hard not to admire the respect and reverence that Jarom had for the writing of his ancestors. He realized that Nephi, Jacob, and Enos had written and taught with incredible clarity. And he knew that what they had written was sufficient to lead anyone to salvation.

On the other hand, Jarom didn’t leave us with as powerful a spiritual record as he could have. He does speak of prophets, priests and teachers persuading his people to “look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was.”  But this more telling than showing. Jarom describes the teachings at such a level of generality that we do not have an opportunity to truly know and feel the power of his testimony. He has told us but not convinced us. And by setting that precedent Jarom likely led his descendants to take less care with engraving on the plates.

From Jarom, I learn that I should never hesitate to bear unapologetic testimony of my savior. Those I speak to should know that I have a witness that he is the Christ and that he has redeemed me from my sins.