Characters
This index presents the major characters of the Book of Mormon. Each entry links to a detailed analytical page.
Characters from the Time of the Exodus
- Lehi — Prophet of the first exodus. Receives revelation to take his family out of Jerusalem before its destruction. Father of Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel.
- Nephi — The righteous son of Lehi. The founding prophetic voice. Builds the ship, leads the community after his father’s death, writes the founding record.
- Laman — Lehi’s eldest son. Rebels against his father and brother Nephi. Becomes the origin of the Lamanite branch.
- Lemuel — Laman’s brother in murmuring and rebellion. A less independent figure than Laman.
Characters of Later Generations
- Jacob — Nephi’s younger brother. Prophet and teacher. His discourses on pride, sexual immorality, and chastity are among the oldest texts in the book.
- Enos — Son of Jacob. Prays a full day in the wilderness. Receives a divine promise for the preservation of the record for future generations.
- King Benjamin — A righteous king over the Nephites. Delivers a farewell address and proclaims a covenant between the people and God. A model of the righteous ruler.
- Mosiah — Son of King Benjamin. The last king of the monarchical system. Ends the monarchy and establishes the rule of the judges.
- Alma the Younger — Transformed from persecutor of the church to its leader. Becomes the first chief judge and high priest. A pivotal figure in the second half of the narrative.
- Ammon — Son of Mosiah. Refuses the throne to become a missionary. Leads a mission to the Lamanites. Defends the flocks of King Lamoni and converts him.
- Captain Moroni — A pivotal military commander in the time of wars. Raises the “title of liberty” in defense of freedom and religion.
- Helaman — Son of Alma the Younger. Prophet and military leader. Leads the “stripling warriors” — an army of young men who made a covenant with God.
- Samuel the Lamanite — A Lamanite prophet sent by God to the Nephites. Stands on the wall of the city of Zarahemla and prophesies of Christ’s birth and death.
Characters of the Editors and Conclusion
- Mormon — The prophet-editor. Abridges the ancient records and compiles them into one book. Leads armies in the final wars and is killed.
- Moroni — Son of Mormon. The last prophet in the record. Completes his father’s book, hides the plates, and seals with a promise to the reader.
Notes on Reading Characters
- Characters in the text are not neutral: the text classifies them within a binary of obedience/rebellion, faith/disobedience
- Characters are not necessarily historical: critical reading views them as narrative figures who perform functions in the text
- Roles are repeated: Nephi/Laman, Alma/the sons of Mosiah, Mormon/Moroni… relationships of father/son and prophet/successor
[Source needed] For academic studies on the characters of the Book of Mormon.