INTRODUCTION:
We have passed the half way mark in the study of names in the Book of Mormon. The Pronouncing Guide does not list all of the names in the Book of Mormon as we have noted from time to time, but we include them in these studies. Things learned along the way include: there are no names that use the letter F instead the element ph takes its place. In English the letters gh, as in the word 'enough' do the same for some words. There are no names beginning with a Q. Most Semitic languages do not have any names or words that use a V, W, X, and Y. In the Bible the letters q, x, or F are not used. We have noted the peculiarities of some languages, some do not have names that begin with a C, using a K instead for the sound. No L's in Egyptian, an R is used instead, and a ph takes care of the F sound, as in 'Pharaoh'. Some Semitic, or Indo-European languages do not use an O. It takes very little to change a language, just change around a few letters, but such features suggest which languages to search for Book of Mormon names. One demand made on Joseph when translating the Book of Mormon was he could not use Phonetic sounds to guide him in the names. Oliver had occasion to try to write out a name but had to wait for the spelling given by Joseph because in the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon, some names were crossed out until the correct spelling was given. The ultimate requirement was that most of them could be found on clay tablets, that narrows the geography where they could be found a great deal.
The Jaredite language is considered to be the Adamic language, this whole name exercise is a confirmation there was such a thing as the Tower of Babel with widespread language changes, and that there was an ADAMIC LANGUAGE. It needs to be noted also that in all the names of the Old Testament, NONE are surnames. Biblical characters were known by ONE name only. In the Book of Mormon, the 337 proper names, all transcribed into English, NOT ONE is a surname. If Joseph had given even one of his 'characters' a surname, as was the custom centuries before the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, Joseph would have made an egregious error. (Parry p. 159) The internal evidence is absolute, he was translating an authentic ancient document.
LABAN
LABAN was the custodian of the sacred records 600 BC. about the time the threat of those about to kill Lehi led to his being guided out of Jerusalem into the wilderness. (l Ne. 3:3) LABAN is a good example of an administrator who may have exceeded his administrative role. He is able to command 50 soldiers within the walls of the city of Jerusalem, which means that he is a military officer and a very high ranking official...it is...unusual for soldiers to ever be garrisoned or stationed with in a city wall in an ancient city during times of peace so Laban may have been overreaching his positon by having ...soldiers stationed there. Laban guards the treasury, which has to be the royal treasury of the king. But because the king is weak, Laban's authority as manager of the treasury becomes all the more prominent. He controls the records and a lot of other treasures, probably a part of the temple treasury. (John Welch in Brown p. 48) His sword would have part of the badge of his importance. He was evidently out that night with Jewish elders, who may have been as corrupt as he. (l Ne. 4:22) It was also evident that he was a leader in their Judahite community. (l Ne. 4:26) His education would have been as good as or better than Lehi's. He and his so called "brethren" would have been opposed to Jeremiah, and Lehi, and pro- Egyptian. (Peterson in Brown p. 48) He would have been totally unsympathetic to the prophets. But he knew the value of the Brass Plates, though he might not have adhered to its contents.
The name LABAN, in Hebrew, means 'white.' (Mandel, p. 324) In the New World, in the northern YUCATAN, near the great ruin of UXMAL, there is an ancient city named LABNA, which I have had the occasion to visit several times; there the name also means 'white.' (Reynolds p. 322) However, the name appears in ancient records and events, as given in Genesis 24:29. But it is not Biblical in origin either. The name LABAN-ATU, meaning 'incense', is found in the Akkadian dictionary, but is listed as being jungbabylonisch, early Babylonian. But we are looking for something older and related to Jaredite times. The name LABAN, is found in the names recovered from the tablets of EBLA, taking the name back to before 2250 BC, and there the name LABAN is recorded and it does mean 'white.' (Pagan p. 345) That puts the name back into the Jaredite times, but not necessarily a Jaredite name. In a name from EBLA, LABAN-AN, the meaning is 'the white one,' the -AN ending meaning 'one.' Farther back in time is the possibility the name is from ancient SUMERIAN. However, as an adjective, in Sumerian, "to be white" is babbar. (Kleinerman p. 11) So the meaning is confirmed and the antiquity established, but it is in EBLAITE, not in Akkadian or ancient Sumerian that we look for the origin. The verbal root, Lb, is found in Akkadian, but when incorporated into words or names, the suffix meaning is not preserved. In Akkadian there are many names and words with the LB prefix. (Black pp. 173) This brief survey of the name suggests that it originated in the EBLAITE west Semitic language, where the name and its meaning, "white" was transmitted separately from Jaredite words and names, ending up in the languages of other descendents of Shem and preserved in the culture and times of Abraham. The brother of Rebecca, wife of Isaac, was called Laban, he was the father of Rachal and Leah, wives of JACOB, recorded into the genealogical records of the tribes of Joseph contained in the Brass Plates, where it was continued or retained in the sources Moses used for compiling Genesis. Most likely the name was transmitted down through time in the Brass Plates. Those plates preserved the histories of the Nephites and would have contained the episodes about LABAN, the father of Rachel and Leah, in the family histories of the kinsmen of Abraham.
Anciently, Ebla had spread its influence in the general area of where the Jaredites may have lived. There is also a connection of Ebla with its successors in the language of the Amorites, becoming part of their assembly of names and words. The Amorites were people who lived in the northern part of Palestine and had common borders with some of the twelve tribes settled in the land of their inheritance. All along the whole border of a number of tribes there would have been contact with the Amorites and Amorite culture and names. In that language we find the name LABAN, Indexed as No. 4313. (Gelb p. 618) So the name LABAN had wide circulation.
The consonants LB. LBN do not appear in Phoenician or Punic inscriptions. Where ever the name originated, it certainly was during or before the Jaredites departed the region. Joseph would not have known this kind of complication in the origin of this or any other name. Since the name appears in the history of Israel and in the Brass Plates, he may have just taken it for granted. The history and transmission of the name LABAN, is worthy of research. It is not trivia, it is additional evidence of the internal veracity of the Book of Mormon.
LABAN was a descendant of Joseph of Egypt through his eldest son Manasseh . At one time he may have even been a righteous man since he was keeper of the sacred records. He had his home, office, and archives in Jerusalem at the time conspiracies were abroad to kill Lehi forcing his exodus from the country (l Ne. 5:16). LABAN and his forefathers had kept the records of their progenitors on plates of brass, beginning with the creation of the world duplicating most of what is in the Old Testament but containing much that was lost. The plates were much more extensive and complete, including prophetic books entirely unknown such as the records of Zeniff, Zenos and Zenoch, mentioned in the Book of Mormon as being on the brass plates, which also included about half of the works of Jeremiah, who was still active at the same time as Lehi. Also, and especially, Lehi wanted the Brass Plates because they contained the family genealogy and history. LABAN was therefore a contemporary of king JOSIAH, father of the ill fated king Zedekiah who was appointed puppet king of Judah, (l Ne. 5:10-16; Jer. 29:17) after Lehi had left Jerusalem. It was essential that Lehi have the records to take with him to the new land, a promised and reserved land, to preserve both the religion and the language of his people. So in accordance with the Lord's commandment, Lehi sent his sons to retrieve the plates of brass from Laban so that they might have the genealogy and history of their ancestors and the written record of God's commandments. LABAN refused their request and threatened the life of Laman. Nephi was sent to make another attempt to offer their gold and silver, left behind, to purchase the records. LABAN seized the treasures and sent his servants to slay the sons of Lehi. At that point Laman and Lemuel rebelled. It was only through the intercession of an angel that the four sons were able to continue their assignment. Nephi, complying with the Lord's commandment, went forth to obtain the records. Nephi had never before taken a human life. But the Spirit told him, "behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." (l Ne. 4:13) Nephi knew that the salvation of his people depended on those written records. Nephi slew LABAN using LABAN's own sword (l Ne. 4:19) Nephi found Laban drunk and alone in the streets of Jerusalem. There he obeyed the Spirit. Then disguised in his victim's clothing, Nephi went to the residence of LABAN, there he obtained the records and convinced Zoram, Laban's servant, to join his family and they returned with the records, to Lehi and his wife. Nephi also kept the sword, it would play a role in the military history of the Book of Mormon, the restoration and Joseph's experiences. (1 Ne. 5:9; Pinagar pp. 97-98) When my sweetheart and I were married in the Manti temple, they gave us a tour of the sacred house of the Lord, and in one room they showed us a sword that had belonged to Joseph. It looked like the Viking broad sword I have on my wall above my computer where I can see it as I write this. It seems Joseph may have used the Sword of Laban as a pattern for the Sword he had made when he was general of the Nauvoo Legion.
LABAN-FATHER OF RACHEL AND LEAH
ABRAHAM had been guided by the Lord to leave his home town of UR, along with some of his family, including his father. UR was an early city located in SUMER, southern Mesopotamia near the north end of the Persian Gulf. They went way to the north to a place east of the Euphrates River called Haran. It was during a severe famine. (Abraham 2:4) The famine abated, and JEHOVAH appeared unto Abraham in Haran and told him to go to another place to a strange land where he would enlarge Abraham and give a great blessing to him and his seed. The Great Gospel and Priesthood blessings were given in detail. (Abraham 2:6-11) Abraham had sought the Lord and had found him and thanked him for this and other divine manifestation and blessings. (Abraham 2:5-12) Abraham immediately left HARAN with his wife, Sarah, Lot, his nephew and his wife, and converts to the gospel he had made while in HARAN. He left his father in Haran who soon again turned to idolatry. Other kinsman stayed there. Abraham was 62 years old when he left Haran. (Abraham 2:4) This does not agree with the detailed Jewish chronology of the Old Testament which states Abraham was 70 years old when he left. (Shulman p. 46) The Pearl of Great Price in Abraham and Moses correct a number of dates, internal evidence Joseph was working with authentic documents. They crossed the Euphrates at Karchemish, [the quay or dock, at Chemish] which was 110 miles due west of HARAN, (Aharoni MAPS 20-24) and then made their way south. The Jaredites had crossed the river at this same place nearly 500 years earlier. Because of the raging famine, Abraham did not stop except to build altars, pray and offer sacrifices, and receive divine manifestations. They journeyed from Haran through Jershon and through the land of Shechem and crossed the plains of Moreh into the land of the Canaanites. (Aharoni MAP 23) In one visit from the Lord, Abraham was told the land of Canaan would be given to his heirs, and for a time when the ten tribes possessed the land that was true, but the LORD had tacked on a condition: "When they harken to my voice." (Abraham 2:6) Sometimes they harkened, but during most of their history they didn't. Most of this land today is in the WEST BANK, occupied territory of Israel. Eventually they ended up in Egypt. Most of Chapter 3, and the Facsimiles and Hugh Nibley's research develop the story from there.
Many years later, Sarah, finally having had a son Isaac, they were living in Canaan. Abraham, fearing that Isaac might take a wife from the Canaanites, who could not hold the priesthood, sent his trusted and oldest servant, ELIEZER, to seek a bride from among his far away kinsmen. While communication was infrequent in those days, Abraham had no doubt learned that his brother Nahor had a grandson called LABAN, the son of BETHUEL, and that LABAN had a sister, REBEKEH. The aged BETHUEL, and LABAN, greeted warmly the emissary Eliezer who had told them of his purpose in coming to them. They recognized the will of God in Eliezer's request for the hand of Laban's sister. There may have been a little greed in all this too because Abraham was rich and had sent very rich presents with Eliezer. They may also have had some concern about who would marry REBEKEH. "Take her and go," they said, "and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken." (Genesis 24:51) No doubt these marriages had been foreordained in heaven because the priesthood bearers and prophets that came from these lines had all been foreordained. (Alma 13:2-11)
But it didn't stop there. Many more years later, REBEKEH had the same concerns Abraham had had. Esau, Abraham's son by Hagar, had married two Canaanite women, becoming immoral and irreligious, his issue could not hold the priesthood and fulfill the blessing to Abraham that his seed would bear the priesthood to all nations, (Abraham 2:9), so Esau lost his birthright. He tried to make it right by marrying two other women, descendants of Shem, but it was too late. While famishing he sold his birthright to JACOB. "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" (Gen, 25L32). Paul tells us "not to be immoral or irreligious like ESAU, who sold his birthright for a single meal." (Heb. 12:16) This time REBEKEH actually sent JACOB himself, to HARAN (Aharoni MAP 147) for his own safety and to get a wife. LABAN now had two daughters, LEAH and RACHAL. The cunning and conniving of LABAN was apparent in how he tricked JACOB into a marriage with his unmarriageable daughter LEAH, (Gardner p. 267), but underlying everything were ancient customs, laws, and traditions. Laban had no sons, so presumably, LABAN undertook a form of adoption agreement with Jacob, a not uncommon Mesopotamian practice when a man had no sons. But later, Laban did have sons, who became unjustifiably jealous of JACOB. LABAN no longer favored JACOB, so when JACOB fled with his wives and children and flocks he had earned, LABAN became furious and went after them because he had not been permitted to kiss his grandsons and daughters farewell, which by this time JACOB's four wives had given him, claiming they had been taken by the sword and not of their own accord (Gen. 32:26, 28), and also RACHEL had secretly taken and hidden in her camel's saddle bags, the household God's that LABAN desperately wanted back. Does this indicate there may have been a little apostasy in the family? The IDOLS were never found, and LABAN accepted defeat on all accounts. What did Jacob and Rachel do with IDOLS?
So, LABAN and JACOB made a covenant, they built a pillar of stones and LABAN said: "If you ill treat my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters...remember, God is witness between you and me" (Gen. 31:50). JACOB does not seem to have taken any other formal wives, but the Lord did give Abraham, Isaac and JACOB concubines. (D&C 132:37-38) They sealed the covenants with a feast, the next morning LABAN kissed his daughters and grandchildren good-by and returned to HARAN. See the scriptures for a more detailed re-reading of the story.
LACHONEUS
"The occurrence...of the [GREEK] name LACHONEUS in the Book of Mormon is strictly in order, however odd it may seem at first glance. Since the fourteenth century BC...Syria and Palestine had been in constant contact with the Aegean world and since...the seventh century GREEK mercenaries and merchants....bound to Egyptian interests (the best Egyptian mercenaries were Greeks)-swarmed throughout the Near East. LEHI's people ...could not have avoided...contact with these people in Egypt and especially in SIDON...Greek poets...were celebrating [Sidon] as the great world center of trade...the Greeks in Palestine were IONIANS (hence the Hebrew name for Greeks: "Sons of Javanim") and -since "LACHONEUS" means "A LACONIAN"- the oldest Greek traders were LACONIANS, who had colonies in Cyprus (BM Akish) and of course traded with Palestine." (Nibley Vol. 5, p. 53) The cosmopolitan, LEHI, totally familiar with the trade center at SIDON, so much so the Phoenician name for their great port was GIDONAH, which Lehi included in his narratives, a core name for a number of names in the Book of Mormon, reflecting PHOENICIAN influence on LEHI.
LACHONEUS, in the Book of Mormon, was a righteous man, became chief judge and governor of the Nephite nation about AD 1 (3 Ne. 1:1). He had a righteous son, also named LACHONEUS, who succeeded his father about 30 AD (3 Ne. 6:19) Nephi son of Nephi had given him custody of the sacred records. Here are two cases of papponymy, father and son having the same name. There is more than a slight resemblance of the name to LACCUNUS, a Levite, who left his foreign wife to keep his Levitical priesthood line pure. (1 Esd. 9:31)
Under Lachoneus the people were lapsing into prideful and wicked ways, forgetting the signs and wonders given at Jesus' birth fulfilling the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite. Sixteen years later Lachoneus took the leadership in defeating the Gadianton movement that had risen again about 16 to 21 AD, persuading people to secret combinations and great evil.
Giddianhi, leader of the GADIANTON ROBBERS, with great audacity, sent an epistle to Lachoneus with an ultimatum to "yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions or become extinct" (3 Ne. 1:6-8) LACHONEUS and his people humbly appealed to the Lord for protection. Gathering themselves for safety into a sector of the land encompassing Zarahemla and Bountiful, they laid up a store of provisions that would last seven years. (2 Ne. 4:4) Nibley has pointed out that this action of calling an assembly and then preparing for a seven year siege, was a practice in ancient times. "An alternative of the [robber bands] would have been to go to work and make food for themselves, but that is strictly against the heroic code of honor according to which 'there was no way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and murder.'" (3 Nephi 4.5; Nibley Vol. 6, pp. 391-393) Their military leaders was Gidgiddoni, a person of great spiritual strength who took all precautions to fortify the defenses of the land. The Gadianton robbers came in force against the Nephite stronghold about year 19 AD, but were repelled in fierce battles, the robbers were either slain or dispersed into the wilderness and their leader Giddianhi was killed (3 Ne. 4:14). Not long after, Giddianhi's successor, Zemnarihah, laid siege to the capital. The Nephite military sent small raiding parties out at night to decimate the enemy forces and prevent their escape. Those not slain were taken prisoner. Zemnarihah was captured and executed (3 Ne. 4:28), and the people, renewed in their covenant commitments, gave thanks to the Lord for deliverance. (3 Ne. 4:31-33; Pinegar pp. 98-99)
About 21 AD, in a compassionate twist, Lachoneus ensured that the imprisoned Gadianton robbers were taught the gospel. Those who believed and forsook their sins by covenant were liberated. The rest were punished under the law. (3 Ne.5:4-5) "And thus they did put an end to all those wicked, and secret, and abominable combinations, in the which there was so much wickedness, and so many murders committed." (3 Ne. 5:6) Mormon interjected a comment at this point. "And now it was Gidgidoni, and their judge, Lachoneus, and those who had been appointed leaders, who had established this great peace in the land." (3 Ne. 6:6)
LACHONEUS, THE SON OF LACHONEUS, was also responsible, along with Gidgiddoni, commander of the army, for putting a stop to the rise of secret combinations in the land and restoring peace one again between 26 to 27 AD. (3 Ne. 6:6) But the peace did not last long. Pride and arrogance was embedded in the people. "And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning, yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches, and thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up." (3 Ne. 6:12, 14) The Lord sent inspired men, prophets, to preach and warn the people, but this angered the judges and lawyers of high rank and they put those prophets to death without the knowledge of LACHONEUS, who then had the assassins arrested. Their associates conspired in a secret compact to protect the assassins. Then they took the next terrible step, they plotted to murder the chief judge of the land, LACHNEOUS 11, himself, and replace him with a king. "And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, (Ether 11:12), which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness." (3 Ne. 6:28) About 30 AD they murdered Lachoneous 11. Thereafter, the government disintegrated and the people separated themselves into self-governing groups. Nephi, son of Nephi, went about preaching sacred gospel truths, converting only a few. City after city became totally unrighteous. Unrighteousness prevailed. Then far, far away on a lonely hill the Messiah, the Christ, was crucified. Great destructions attended the death of the Savior and spread over the land, destroying most of the wicked cities and the murderers of the chief judge and ALL but "the more righteous part of the people." (3 Ne. 10:12; Pinegar p. 99; Largey pp, 490-491) And not long after that, the resurrected Christ appeared to a gathering at Bountiful.
LAISH
LAISH in HEBREW means 'lion.' LAISH is mentioned in a quote from ISAIAH 10, "Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto LAISH [A long way away], O poor Anathoth." (2 Ne. 20:30) LAISH was an ancient city in the extreme north of Palestine. (Aharoni MAP 24) It was captured by the tribe of Dan, who renamed it DAN. (Jg. 18:7,14, 27, 29) It was listed as LAISH of DAN in Jos. 19:47. (Grollenberg p. 155)
The man LAISH lived about 1100 BC. His son PALTI, also called PALATIEL (2 Sam. 3:15; l Sam. 25:44) married MICHAL, king SAUL's Daughter after SAUL had driven away her husband DAVID. DAVID had become so popular that Saul was going to have him killed, but MICHAL intervened and saved DAVID. SAUL took MICHAL back giving her to PALTI. DAVID really did love MICHAL, so when he reigned as King in Hebron, he forced ISH-BOSHETH, Saul's son, to have Abner bring back Michal to him. PALTI followed her weeping, until Abner abruptly told him to go back home. MICHAL never did reciprocate DAVID'S love. Women, as far as DAVID was concerned, were just one tragedy after another. Over them he lost his soul.
LAMAH
LAMAH was one of the Nephite Commanders of ten thousand troops all killed in the war to destruction about 395 A.D. (Mormon 6:14) Compare with the Indian names, 'LAMA, or LEMA.' (Hickman p. 175) It contains the theophoric suffix elements -AH for JEHOVAH. The prefix, LAM, has the meaning 'why' or 'not yet.' (Black p. 176) The LAM element is found in Genesis in the name LAMECH, son of Methusael, (Genesis 4:18) a descendant of Cain, who married two women, Adah and Zilah. He was a vile killer. LAMECH was also the name of a son of METHSELAH, (Genesis 5:25) a descendant of SETH, who took the place of ABEL, the head of the first dispensation under Adam. The meaning being uncertain. (Mendal p. 327) So, it could be considered as an agnostic retort: 'Not yet Jehovah' or 'WHY JEHOVAH?' or "Why God?' reflecting perceptively the attitude of LAMAN and LEMUEL. There will be more to say on this when we get to LEMUEL.
LAMAN
The name or word, LAMAN, is found in the Akkadian dictionary where the meaning is given as 'not yet' in the forms LAMAN and LAMA. There are more than forty names with the prefix, but differ in meaning as the suffix changes. ( Black pp. 176-177)
LAMAN was: l. The eldest son of Lehi about 600 BC. (l Ne. 2:5)
2. A Lamanite king, about 200 BC. (Mos. 7:21)
3. A son of a man named LAMAN (papponymy) about 178 BC, (Mos. 10:6)
4. There was a city of LAMAN (3 Ne. 9:10)
5. A LAMANITE dissenter in Moroni's army who helped capture the city of Gid. (Alma 55:4-23)
6. The name of a River that emptied into the red Sea encountered by Lehi's group on their journey in the wilderness after a three day journey from Jerusalem (l Ne. 2:6) Lehi camped nearby and named it LAMAN after his son, urging LAMAN to make his life resemble the river, "continually running into the fountain of all righteousness." (l Ne. 2:6-9; Largey p. 193) In the western world, and especially in the days of Joseph Smith when they were naming rivers and valleys with the same name all over the place, the Book of Mormon did not follow that system instead they followed the Arabic system of naming the water after themselves, and naming the valley with a different name. This was an absolute custom of the Desert. (Ludlow p. 93-94) They set up a camp at the river and from there Lehi sent three of his sons back to Jerusalem to get the Brass Plates from Laban. They returned to Jerusalem, a three day's journey, one way, where they chose lots to choose who would approach Laban, the lot fell to LAMAN (I Ne. 3:11). But LAMAN failed and Laban threatened him with death. (l Ne. 12:114), but not wanting to go back empty handed, they went to their estate to gather their treasure of gold and silver and try to buy the Brass Plates from Laban. (I Ne. 3:2-5) But Laban stole the treasure and threatened the brothers. (l Ne. 3:25-27) The brothers escaped into the wilderness and hid from the pursuing servants of Laban. (l Ne. 3:27) Recalling when their father Lehi had told them to go back and get the Brass Plates, there was much murmuring they took their frustration out on Nephi, beating him, it would have been more severe but an angel intervened. (1 Ne. 3:28-31) The angel told them to stop beating their younger brother and go back and do what the Lord wanted them to do. Nephi reasoned with his brothers, no doubt recalling the famous oft quoted words of Nephi when he said unto his father that "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded , for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (l Ne. 2:7-9) The Lord will surely show us what to do. He always does if you listen close enough. My life is an absolute witness to the truthfulness and veracity of that statement!
In Chapter 4 of l Nephi, the frequently told story of Nephi and his brothers going back very reluctantly, Nephi hiding his brothers, then going into the city at night alone. Then there follows the story of Nephi finding the drunken Laban alone in the streets of Jerusalem. Pressed by the Spirit Nephi slays Laban, and by stratagem he secures the plates, persuades Zoram, Laban's personal servant, to Join them and be free. Zoram takes an oath and they all return, with the plates, to Lehi's camp on the River LAMAN. References to the River of Laman include: It was in an impressive canyon, which they named THE VALLEY LEMUEL (l Ne. 2:10) The canyon or valley was in the wilderness (l Ne. 4:33; 5:3), about three days journey (l Ne 2:6). The river is running water and flows continuously (l Ne. 2:6, 2:9) In the valley seeds and fruits of many kinds, were found (1 Ne. 8:1) The river is in the wilderness, not in a city or town (l Ne. 2:6) The river had no name so they named it LAMAN, it was already known to Lehi, in his trading activity he must have traveled through this Canyon (l Ne. 2:9). The river empties into the Red sea, or Gulf of Aqaba (l Ne. 2:8-9). The river flows through a canyon that could be described as a firm, steadfast and immovable valley, it was named the Valley of Lemuel as discussed below (l Ne. 2:6). The valley and river must be capable of sustaining life for a long period of time (l Ne. 2:7-9). (Potter pp. 10, 31, 74; See also Brown p. 3)
Nibley points there are a number of examples from the old world supporting LAMAN as an authentic Semitic name. There is an inscription from the Sinai Peninsula which is translated: "Greetings LAMAN, son of Abdal." The tribe of Manasseh, from which Lehi was descended constructed sacred places called Mukam. The name LAMAN was attributed in Palestine to such places. (Nibley p. 239)
LAMANITE
Any descendant of LAMAN or LEMUEL is designated a LAMANITE.
Most of the Book of Mormon narrative centers on people identified as either Nephites or LAMANITES, distinguished on genealogical grounds, as descendants of either Nephi or his brothers, Laman and Lemuel, but it became a more complex story. Generally "the rule in the text is to "call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi." Those who joined or who were friendly to the Nephites were called Nephites or the People of Nephi. Some of the Lamanites were actually descendants of sons of Ishmael (Alma 17:19, 21). Dissenting Nephites often adopted the title of LAMANITE, (Alma 43:4, 45: 13-14; 54:24; Hel. 3:16; 11:24). LAMANITE converts to the gospel became Nephites (Alma 23:17; 27:27; 53:10; 3 Ne. 2:12, 14-16).
After the coming of the resurrected Christ, the distinction between Lamanites and Nephites temporarily disappeared (4 Ne. 1:17), and then hundreds of years later reappeared as a matter of ideological choice (4 Ne. 1:20, 35-39; 1:38). Mormon concluded "whosoever should worship god in spirit and in truth, the true and living God, the LAMANITES would destroy" (Alma 43:10) The Lord had promised Nephi early that if Laman and Lemuel persisted in rebellion, they would be cut off from the divine presence and Nephi would inherit the right of rule. They persisted, they were cut off, by choice they chose to alienate Deity, and Nephi did become the ruler. Because the feelings were all ideological, in most instances the result was violence, which persisted except for a brief time, to the final destruction by the LAMANITES of the Nephites. The LAMANITES were the final destroyers of their civilization. It seems that only dissenting Nephites could incite the Lamanites to go to war against their brethren. (Alma 21:3; 24:11-2; 2-30; 27:2,12, 43:6-8; 43:44; 46-51: 52:33, 63:12; Hel. l:15; 4:2-4, 8; 11:24) and the dissenters never converted to the Gospel. Due to the curse and the loss to them of the records they sought to destroy, they became an idle people, full of mischief, subtlety, a ferocious and blood thirsty people with wilderness tendencies and activities beyond belief. (Largey pp. 393-495)
LAMAN A LAMANITE DISSENTER AND THE LAMANITE GUARDS OF GID
Around 63 BC., during the seemingly endless warfare between the Lamanites and the Nephites during the time of Captain Moroni, he devised a plan to liberate the Nephite prisoners being held by the Lamanites in the city of GID. He dispatched a LAMANITE dissenter, LAMAN, among his ranks to deliver strong wine to the guards at GID. The guards were delighted with the gift and drank themselves into a drunken stupor that evening. Laman went back to Moroni who told him to return and cast in weapons to the prisoners in the city so they would be armed when the Lamanites sobered up. When the Lamanites awoke the next morning they found the city surrounded by the Nephite army and the host of prisoners within the walls all armed. The Lamanites readily surrendered. (Alma 55:8-20)
LAMONI
The prefix LAM- has been described above, it is generally considered to mean 'why.' The suffix of -ON, -ONI or -NI may be an abbreviation for deity, most often equated with Egyptian or Arabic usages. (Parpola pp. 959-965) Parpola lists many pages of names with an NI- prefix, and notes that for most of them the meaning is unknown but many of them have Egyptian connections, which we will note in more detail when we get to the names in the Book of Mormon beginning with N. (Ibid). It must be noted here "That those Hebrew genealogies [in the Book of Mormon] in which the nomenclature is largely un-Hebraic, with peculiar antique formations in using -an, and -on; and in some cases of particular Arabian origin the loss of the ending -on is quite common in Palestinian place-names, according to Albright, referring to places mentioned in Egyptian records. One can recall any number of Book of Mormon place names- Emron, Heshlon, Jashon, Moron, etc., that have preserved this archaic -on, ending, indicative of a quaint conservatism among Lehi's people, and especially of ties with the desert people." (Nibley Vol. 6 p. 81) When Lehi left he took the current and then present culture of names with him. He and none of his descendants ever went back. They never knew what changes in languages, particularly place names, had taken place, and they continued in their names to retain the -on ending. Another not-so-apparent authenticism of an ancient document.
LAMONI is an excellent example of where a name may take us. A long way! LAMONI was the King of the LAMANITES where AMMON, alone, went to serve as a Missionary. The story of AMMON and the conversion of LAMONI is one of the best in the Book of Mormon, it will only be briefly discussed. (Alma 17:21)
After having made a very good impression on king LAMONI, because of having saved the flocks and herds at the water of Sebus, AMMON determined that LAMONI was receptive to his counsel so he outlined the Plan of Salvation for him, beginning with the creations and down to the migration under God's guidance to the promised land they now occupied, the king was overcome by the Spirit and fell into a stupor. "Now this is what Ammon desired, for he knew king LAMONI was under the power of God, he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness-yea, the light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God." (Alma 19:6) For two days and nights LAMONI lay as if dead, Ammon told the Queen he was not dead and prophesied he would rise the next day. He did. He had had a great spiritual experience. He testified to his wife of the coming Messiah and His divine mission. "For as sure as thou livest, behold, I HAVE SEEN MY REDEEMER and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. " (Alma 19:13) LAMONI was again overcome by the Spirit and collapsed, the queen fell into a daze as well, being over powered by the Spirit. Then as he, Ammon, prayed, he too was overcome by the Spirit, "being over powered with joy" (Alma 19:14). It must be mentioned just how rare it is for those not yet baptized into the Church to have a vision of the Christ as LAMONI had. When the three of them regained their strength, they with others who had been witnesses of the miraculous events ministered to the people testifying of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The spirit was poured out on the entire household and more gathered to hear all about what was happening. Many were converted, a church was established and the work of the Lord commenced among these Lamanites. (Alma 19:36) Many difficulties were endured by these people, then a strange thing happened to them.
Then Ammon was sent by the Lord to rescue Aaron and his companions imprisoned in the Land of Middoni. Lamoni accompanied him, en route they met the father of Lamoni and general ruler over all the Lamanite territories. The king became furious about Ammon and tried to take his life. Ammon subdued the aged king who was impressed by Ammon's great love for his son setting the stage for his later conversion along with thousands of Lamanites by the teachings of Aaron. (Alma 20:26) Most of the above happening between 77 and 90 BC.
Ammon and his brethren assisted the converted Lamanites who adopted the name "Anti-Nephi-Lehies" to distinguish themselves from their hard-hearted Lamanite kinsmen (Alma 23:1 7) They gathered to a place of protection and security in the land of Jershon, east by the sea, south of Bountiful. The land where they had landed when they came from across the sea (Alma 27:22). These converts and all others who joined them became known as the People of AMMON. They did bury their weapons of war, never to take up weapons of war again, and they did BURY THEM DEEP IN THE GROUND. (Alma 24:19; 25:14; 26:32; Hel. 15:9) See below.
A generation later, it was from these converts and those who had joined them, that 2060 strippling warriors, those that followed Helaman, who had not taken the oath of their parents, who made a difference in the battles then being fought; none of them getting killed, though all were wounded. These were the valiant youth who were the decisive factor in protecting the people from Lamanite attacks about 64-62 BC. About ten years later, most of these people of Ammon joined together with many others forming a migrating group of 5000 to 15000 or more that went northward. (Alma 63:4) Of those who departed, there were many who had taken the oath not to take up arms again, those who had "buried their weapons, deep in the ground." Those people carried a history of their travels and the traditions of their fathers. Today those people are known as the HOPI, a prominent southwestern Indian Nation in the middle of the Navajo reservation. I had the experience of staying with them for some time and witnessing many of their traditional dances and ceremonies. The history, traditions, and geological-archaeological details are in THEY DID BURY THEIR WEAPONS, a six part series in this web site beginning in 18 May 2009.
LAMANTISH
This word is an adjective, it was used in describing LAMANITE women. (Alma 17:26) At the beginning of the story of AMMON and his conversion of KING LAMONI, (a LAMANITE King and his QUEEN and their people) he was three days into being a servant of King Lamoni, and with servants of the King, including women, referred to as LAMANTISH servants, was sent to guard the flocks and herds of animals, including horses, and to take the flocks to water at the fountains of Sebus. "It was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away many that were scattered into their own land, it being a practice of plunder among them." (Alma18:7). This was an authentic piece of Bedouin mischief. (Nibley Vol. p. 74) LAMANITE plunderers were already at the watering place and vindictively they did not permit AMMON and the servants of LAMONI to have access to the water. They severely scattered the herds in all directions. What appeared to be a disaster to the servants Ammon turned into an opportunity to show his commitment and personal power, by activating the servants to action, retrieving their herds, and returning them to water where, opposed by the same group as before, he slew six of them with his sling, [it would have made David proud], and at the waters of Sebus, he slew their leader with his sword and cut off the arms of many others who tried to oppose him and saved the herds, flocks, and servants who gathered up the severed arms as evidence of the power and bravery of AMMON, and recounted to the King the events that transpired elevating the appreciation of AMMON in the mind of the King and people. They believed he was some great spirit. Which he was, they just didn't know how great. The story is one of the great ones in the Book of Mormon, and need not be repeated here. (Alma 17:21-39; and chapters 18 to 20). The story reflects some other aspects regarding the character of Lamanites.
Although the Nephites tended to view the Lamanites as cunning and crafty (Mosiah 10:18; 24:7), and not to be trusted, they were nether-the-less scrupulous in keeping of oaths (Mosiah 29:25). Even in times of warfare the Nephites could count on the Lamanites to keep their oaths. (Alma 44:15,20; 62:16-17; 3 Ne. 6:3) The Lamanites were compassionate (Mosiah 19:13-14; 23:28-29) They generally treated their women well (Jacob 2:34-35; Mosiah 19:13-14; 23:34-35). Among Book of Mormon peoples, only Lamanites were identified as having Queens who ruled with real power and authority (Alma19:2-18, 29-30; 22:19-21).They were friendly to each other and seemed to have confined their bloody thirsty attributes to other than kinsman. (Mosiah 24:5, 7). When converted they were extraordinarily faithful (Alma 23:6; 24:6; Hel. 15:7, 9). They had developed a sedentary life style, but had synagogues, temples, sanctuaries, and religious assemblies (Alma 21:16, 22:2; 4:26-29; Pinegar pp. 104-105), as well as palaces and court protocol (Alma 22:2, 47:22-23; Largey pp. 493-496). As noted above, one great results of AMMON'S mission to the Lamanites was the conversion of LAMONI and his people leading, over centuries, to the present HOPI NATION of the American Southwest, with its ancient oaths and covenants not to kill, preserving in their ancient traditions that their ancestors DID BURY THEIR WEAPONS. This may be one of the few times an American Indian nation has been tied to a Central American origin by a specific tradition.
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