Pahoran

Who is 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.

Soon after he obtained the judgement-seat he was met by swift opposition by king-men; men who wanted to dethrone the chief judge and replace him with a king. Supporting the chief judge and the current order were those known as "freemen". The people voted on the matter, and Pahoran won. This did not discourage the king-men.

The king-men were unwilling to defend their country against the attacks from Amalickiah, which angered Moroni so much that he requested of Pahoran the right to exercise authority over the king-men, that they support the armies or be executed according to the law. Pahoran granted this request.

Several years later, Moroni writes again to Pahoran, this time for reinforcements, but with no success. No troops arrived. 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.