the other Zoramites

I would like to tell you about a splinter group in the Book of Mormon you might not even recognize in the dark chiasms of its Lamanitish mysteries. By the end of Mosiah I's reign in the church of God, Nephites are distinguished as those who believe in Christ, and Lamanites as those who don't--more following the faith of their fathers who came out of Jerusalem than their lineage.

It is by this distinction we can verily see that in the latter half of the Book of Mormon, those militant Laminites we read as Zoramites are other than the descendants of Zoram, friend of Nephi. For if they were, then we would lex them as believers in Jesus Christ. But rejoicing in bloodshed and doctrines of devils as they do, this cannot be the case.

In the 15th chapter of Alma, the high priest sends one ZORAM, with his sons LEHI and AHA, to destroy the bloodthirsty Lamanites in the city of Ammonihah to avenge their faithful brothers. You will remember that the people of Ammonihah once mocked Alma and Amulek, even to the point of boasting that not even GOD could destroy their city--let alone two solitary missionaries.

ZORAM and his captain sons handily destroy the city and heap up the dead bodies in such a manner that the land was not inhabited for many moons.

After Alma and Amulek minister to one ZORAMITE population years later, several are converted to believe in Christ--many do not. When converts join the people of Ammon in Alma 35, the remainder of the Zormaites are stirred up to anger and join the Lamanite troops and mentality of guerilla warfare.

In chapter 48 the Lamanites appoint Zoramite captains over their squadrons because of their extensive knowledge of Nephite fortifications. This is becasue back in chapter 15, they were the Nephite commanders sent in to destroy Ammonihah.

In chapter 49 the Lamanites and their Zormaite captains turn tail and run from LEHI, whose name alone strikes mortal terror in their cowardly hearts. This is because LEHI, the son of ZORAM, remained true to his faith while his father and much of the rest of the army forsook their faith for power, corruption and the pride of the world.

Alma had appointed ZORAM a chief captain in his army. ZORAM abused that power to become a poweful and disturbing dissenter who turned militant when some of his ZORAMITES were turned again to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

'We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of ALMOST ALL MEN, as soon as they have gained a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediatley begin to exercise unrighteous dominion . . .