“Two Hundred and Thirty and Eight Years Had Passed Away”

Brant Gardner

Historical: 238 years after the departure from Jerusalem gives us approximately 348 BC. We may assume that Jarom is now near his death, as he is concluding his record. The noting of the years in verse 13 does not mark the specific events mentioned in that verse, for Jarom only says that they occurred in the 38 years from his last entry. Jarom appears to have been in charge of the plates for 59 years. Assuming that he had to have been at least 10 years of age when he received them of his father, he dies at the age of 69, at least, and probably older. In his longevity he follows the long lives of Jacob and Enos.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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