Amaleki, son of Abinadom, was a Nephite record keeper and the last of nine scribes responsible for maintaining the small plates of Nephi, a sacred record among the Nephites. Born in the days of Mosiah, the exact timing and location of his birth remain unspecified, leaving some ambiguity as to whether it occurred in the land of Nephi or in the land of Zarahemla. His life bridged a period of transition where he witnessed the migration led by Mosiah from the land of Nephi to Zarahemla and the subsequent integration of the two peoples (Omni 1:12-19).
During his lifespan, Amaleki saw the death of King Mosiah and the rise of King Benjamin to the throne. The period was marked by conflict with the Lamanites, wherein the Nephites, under King Benjamin, successfully defended their territory (Omni 1:23-24). Amaleki, with no descendants to inherit the duty of record-keeping, handed the small plates to King Benjamin, encouraging belief in Christ and adherence to all things good, as he believed that such virtues originated from the Lord (Omni 1:25-26).
He chronicled the ill-fated expedition that sought to reclaim the Nephite land of inheritance in Nephi and the second managed return, providing glimpses into the relentless struggles and desires ingrained in Nephite history (Omni 1:27-30). In his closing words, Amaleki made a profound appeal to his people to come unto Christ, assuring them of salvation conditional upon their enduring faith and commitment to the Lord (Omni 1:26).
His writings not only serve as a historical junction, connecting past records and the future readers to the prophecies and experiences of his era but also stand as a testament to the fulfillment of prophecies and the enduring plea to embrace righteousness and seek redemption through Jesus Christ. With a solemn promise, he assured the Nephites and all future readers of the scriptures that a fervent commitment to Christ would lead to salvation, stating emphatically and with divine affirmation, “as the Lord liveth ye will be saved” (Omni 1:26).