Zoram

Not to be confused with Zogam (a.k.a. Zoram), the traditional home of the Zomi in Burma, India and Bangladesh.

There are three individuals named Zoram (/ˈz.rəm/[1]) in the Book of Mormon, indexed in the LDS edition as Zoram¹, Zoram², and Zoram³.

Zoram¹

Zoram¹ was the servant of Laban, a wealthy inhabitant of Jerusalem. According to First Nephi, Zoram led Nephi, disguised as Laban, into Laban's treasury. Nephi, speaking "in the voice of Laban" (1 Nephi 4:20) commanded Zoram to take the brass plates containing "a record of the Jews" (1 Nephi 3:3) to his brethren. Zoram, "supposing that [he] spake of the brethren of the church" (1 Nephi 4:26) took the plates and carried them to where Nephi's brothers were waiting. When he discovered the truth, Zoram was frightened, so Nephi promised to spare his life if Zoram swore allegiance to them (1 Nephi 4:32), and was permitted to accompany Nephi and his brethren.

Zoram²

Zoram² was a chief captain of the Nephite army, mentioned in only two verses in the Book of Mormon (Alma 16:5, 7). He sought the guidance of Alma, the high priest, in locating Nephites that had been captured by the Lamanites, his son Lehi joining him. He also won a victory over the Lamanites after crossing the river Sidon. (Alma 16:7)


Preceded by
Alma, son of Alma
Nephite military leader
the 11th-18th years of the reign of the judges, or 81-74 BC
Succeeded by
Captain Moroni


Zoram³

Zoram³ was a Nephite apostate, mentioned only briefly (Alma 30:59, Alma 31:1), but notable as the leader of the Zoramites, an apostate group. In reaction to the possibility of his people joining the Lamanites (Alma 31:4), Alma the younger led a missionary effort to bring back the people (Alma 31:5-7). Zoram was cited for leading the people to bow down to idols (Alma 31:1).

References

  1. LDS.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «zō´rum»