Amos, often referred to as Amos the Second to distinguish him from his father of the same name, assumed the role of Nephite record keeper in approximately the year 194 A.D., following his father’s death (4 Nephi 1:21). His term as curator of the sacred records spanned a tumultuous period in Nephite history, marked by a significant moral and spiritual decline among his people—a decline foretold by earlier prophets.
During his tenure, Amos bore witness to the deterioration of the once-peaceful and harmonious society that had flourished following Jesus Christ’s visit to the Promised Land. He meticulously documented the onset of pride and materialism among the Nephites, recording their gradual abandonment of the principles of charity, unity, and consecration that had previously unified them (4 Nephi 1:24-26). This spiritual decay led to bitter class divisions, the denial of Christ’s true church, and the resurgence of secret combinations—the same Gadianton robbers that had plagued previous generations (4 Nephi 1:38-42).
Amos remained faithful in his duties as a record keeper, preserving the narrative until approximately A.D. 305. He chronicled well over a century of Nephite history, ensuring that important events, both tragic and instructive, would be retained for future reflection and learning. Upon his death, the records were passed to his brother, Ammaron, signaling the continuation of their lineage’s custodianship of the Nephite records (4 Nephi 1:47). The life and work of Amos serve as a testament to the importance of record keeping in preserving history and its lessons for future generations.