Pahoran

In the Book of Mormon, Pahoran was the third chief judge over the people of Nephi, having inherited the judgement-seat from his father Nephihah, at the end of the 24th year of the reign of the judges over the Nephites, or 67 BC. (See Alma 50:39-40.)

Little sooner did he obtain that judgement-seat, than he was met by swift opposition by king-men; men who would dethrone the chief judge and replace him with a king. On the other side of these king-men, were those known as "freemen". Thus they voted on the matter, and Pahoran won, even though this did not fully discourage the king-men. (See Alma 51:2-7.)

For they, the king-men, were unwilling to defend their country against the attacks from Amalickiah, which angered Moroni so much that he requested of Pahoran to exercise authority over the king-men, that they should be destroyed unless they were to provide support to their armies. Pahoran granted this request. (See Alma 51:13-16.)

Several years later, Moroni writes again to Pahoran, this time for reinforcements, but with not quite as much success as before. No troops arrived, however, and Moroni was left to complain to Pahoran about this development, and question his loyalty to his country. Pahoran writes back, saying that Zarahemla, the capital city, is under control of the king-men, and he, Pahoran, has been driven out of the city. He assures Moroni that he, Pahoran, is no traitor, and wants only to preserve the liberty of his people. (See Alma 59:3, 60, 61.)

Moroni was glad to hear that Pahoran is loyal, but sad because Pahoran and been driven away, and the two of them gathered an army together against Pachus, the leader of the king-men who had driven Pahoran from the judgement-seat. Pachus was slain in battle, and his men executed according to law, and Pahoran was restored to the judgement seat, and with the help of Moroni, restored peace to the land. The two of them then proceeded to drive the Lamanites from their land. Pahoran then returned to his judgement-seat. (See Alma 62.)

Finally, in approximately the 39th year of the reign of the judges, or about 53 BC, Pahoran died, apparently without leaving the judgement-seat in his will. (See Helaman 1:1-4.)

Pahoran, son of Pahoran

Pahoran was also the name of the previous Pahoran's son. When the aforementioned Pahoran had died, he left no one to fill in his place in the judgement-seat. Three of Pahoran's sons, by the names of Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni, were left to contend for it, but the matter was settled in the 40th year of the reign of the judges, or 52 BC, over a vote: Pahoran, the son of Pahoran, won it. Pacumeni, when he saw that he lost, accepted the outcome and supported his brother, but Paanchi, the third brother, would not. He tried to rebel, but was executed according to law. His followers were so angry at this that one of them, a man by the name of Kishkumen, went to the judgement-seat and murdered Pahoran. He then escaped the clutches of Pahoran's servants, and fled.

Pahoran was succeeded by his brother, Pacumeni.