Chemish the record keeper

[Freedom]

In Chemish's very brief entry we read the following:

9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

 

I suspect that the reason for their brief record keeping is because their society, although at least partly agrarian, had devolved from its early years of high literacy in the days of Nephi. They likely did not have the resources to create metal plates so the metal records that were preserved for us were naturally very brief. The written record that was on other materials was likely kept in greater abundance but they did not end up with Moroni. 

I have a question about some of the wording. He explains that he writes 'with' his brother, and then we have the comment 'after this manner we keep the records'. Does this mean their method of record keeping was to write your portion just before you hand it over, and to write it in the presence of the next author so that there is a witness? Or perhaps I am reading too much into this. 

[ksfisher]

30 minutes ago, Freedom said:

In Chemish's very brief entry we read the following:

9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

 

I suspect that the reason for their brief record keeping is because their society, although at least partly agrarian, had devolved from its early years of high literacy in the days of Nephi. They likely did not have the resources to create metal plates so the metal records that were preserved for us were naturally very brief. The written record that was on other materials was likely kept in greater abundance but they did not end up with Moroni. 

I have a question about some of the wording. He explains that he writes 'with' his brother, and then we have the comment 'after this manner we keep the records'. Does this mean their method of record keeping was to write your portion just before you hand it over, and to write it in the presence of the next author so that there is a witness? Or perhaps I am reading too much into this. 

The small plates seem to have been constructed in such a way that no additional leafs could be added to them.  The last record keeper, Amaleki, writes "these plates are full."  That seems to be the reason for the end of the record kept on the small plates, no more room.

Your second paragraph would seem to be a resonalbe interpretation.

[The Nehor]

I suspect they were not that interested in expanding the plates and kept it short due to lack of space. By the time Omni came along there was almost no room left so they kept their comments short. Then Amaleki used up all the rest and gave the plates away.

[JAHS]

2 hours ago, Freedom said:

In Chemish's very brief entry we read the following:

9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

 

I suspect that the reason for their brief record keeping is because their society, although at least partly agrarian, had devolved from its early years of high literacy in the days of Nephi. They likely did not have the resources to create metal plates so the metal records that were preserved for us were naturally very brief. The written record that was on other materials was likely kept in greater abundance but they did not end up with Moroni. 

I have a question about some of the wording. He explains that he writes 'with' his brother, and then we have the comment 'after this manner we keep the records'. Does this mean their method of record keeping was to write your portion just before you hand it over, and to write it in the presence of the next author so that there is a witness? Or perhaps I am reading too much into this. 

It's possible but perhaps not so practical in every instance. 

It is also possible that the shortness of these writings was do to the fact that these particular writers weren't so interested in record keeping as others were. Omini himself said, "But behold, 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." Perhaps Ammaron, Chemish, Abinadom were just as wicked as Omni and they only said a few things out of duty to keep the record going, rather than desire. Abinadom said, "I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written." (Omni 1: 11).   It is not until Amaleki writes that we hear of any testimony about God and spiritual things. 

 

[Freedom]

The 'not enough room on the plates' argument falls flat because magically, there was enough for the rest of the Book of Mormon. For some reason, for almost 400 years, they could not create more plates to make a more detailed religious record until they merged with the people of Zarahemla. I suspect that the entire civilization is in apostasy at this point except for a few. There was no interest because there was no resources and their interests were to focus on surviving. But I find it interesting that it was their practice to have a witness when informaiton was recorded.