Zoram

Three men named Zoram are noted in the Book of Mormon. The first Zoram was the servant of Laban, a Jewish commander in Jerusalem about 600 B.C. (1 Ne. 4:31). This Zoram gave the disguised Nephi₁ the plates of brass thinking he was Laban. Offered freedom if he would become part of Nephi's group in the wilderness, Zoram accepted Nephi's offer and made an oath to stay with them from that time on (1 Ne. 4:20—38). He married one of the daughters of Ishmael (1 Ne. 16:7), was a true friend to Nephi, was blessed by Nephi's father Lehi (2. Ne 1:30—32), and went with Nephi when the Nephite colony separated after Lehi's death (2 Ne. 5:5—6). His descendants were called Zoramites.

A second Zoram was the chief captain over the armies of the Nephites in 81 B.C. He consulted with Alma₂, the high priest over the church, regarding his military actions (Alma 16:5—8).

The third Zoram was the leader of a group called Zoramites who separated themselves from the Nephites about 24 B.C. and apostatized from the established church. These Zoramites killed Korihor, the antichrist (Alma 30:59). Alma₂ led a missionary contingent among them to try to reclaim them from their apostasy and to prevent them from entering into an alliance with the Lamanites. While several of their poor were reconverted, the majority continued in their wicked ways (Alma 31:35), eventually joining the Lamanites and becoming antagonists to the Nephites. Some Zoramites served as Lamanite military commanders and even as kings (Alma 43:4—44; 48:5; 3 Ne. 1:29).

Bibliography

Nibley, Hugh W. CWHN 6:127—30; 8:543—44.

Monte S. Nyman