The 19 Major Book of Mormon Prophets

The Book of Mormon

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The following chronological list only details major prophets from the Book of Mormon. Many other individuals can be found inside its covers, including both good women and men. Much of the Book of Mormon is a Nephite record, so most of the prophets are Nephites. Some major Book of Mormon figures—such as Captain Moroni, Ammon, Pahoran, and Nephihah—are omitted from the list because they had prominent roles only in secular and military history.

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Nephite Prophets: Lehi Through Enos

Lehi, the first prophet in the Book of Mormon, was commanded by God to leave his home in Jerusalem, along with his family, and travel to the Americas. His vision of the Tree of Life is crucial to understanding the Plan of Salvation.

Nephi, Lehi's faithful son and a prophet in his own right, served Heavenly Father and his people throughout his life. Unfortunately, he received a great deal of abuse from his older brothers who thought they should rule. Under Heavenly Father's direction, Nephi built the boat his father's family and he took to the New World. He also included many of Isaiah's teaching in the book of 2 Nephi, with some commentary and explanation of his own.

Jacob, Nephi's brother and Lehi's son, was entrusted with the religious records. He is known for recording the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. ​Enos, Jacob's son, was a prolific prayer. His extensive prayers for his personal salvation, the salvation of his people, as well as the salvation of the Lamanites, is the stuff of legend.

02
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Nephite Prophets: Kings Through Alma

King Mosiah led his people out of the lands of their first inheritance only to discover the people of Zarahemla and unite with them. Mosiah was made the king of both peoples.​ Benjamin, son of King Mosiah as well as a conscientious and righteous prophet and king, was known for delivering a major address to all his people shortly before he died.

Mosiah, son of King Benjamin, was the last of the Nephite kings. He encouraged his people to replace him with a type of democracy. After obtaining the Jaredite record, Mosiah translated it. His four sons and Alma the Younger hurt the church until they experienced a marvelous conversion. Mosiah allowed his four sons to take the gospel to the Lamanites after receiving a promise from Heavenly Father that they would be protected.

Abinadi zealously preached the gospel to the people of King Noah, only to be burned to death while he continued to prophesy. Alma the Elder, one of King Noah's priests, believed Abinadi and taught his words. He and other believers were forced to leave, but they eventually found King Mosiah and the people of Zarahemla and joined them. Mosiah gave Alma responsibility for the church.

Alma the Younger, known initially for his rebellion and efforts to hurt the church (along with the four sons of King Mosiah), became a zealous missionary and devoted high priest. Much of the book of Alma chronicles his teachings and missionary experiences.

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Nephite Prophets: Halaman Through Moroni

Helaman, son of Alma the Younger, was a prophet and military leader who gave Helaman charge of all the religious records. He is best known as the leader of the 2,000 stripling soldiers.​ Helaman, son of Helaman, recorded much of the book of Helaman in the Book of Mormon along with his son, Nephi.

Nephi, a prophet and chief judge who presided over the Nephite people, labored as a missionary with his brother Lehi. The two experienced miraculous events during their mission to the Lamanite people. Nephi later revealed the murder and the murderer of the chief judge through inspiration.

The record of Nephi, son of Nephi, son of Helaman,  comprises much of 3 Nephi and 4 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Nephi was privileged to witness the coming of Jesus Christ to the Americas and to be chosen as one of Christ's 12 apostles.

Mormon, for whom the Book of Mormon was named, was a prophet and a military leader for much of his life. He chronicled the last days of the Nephite nation and was one of the last of the Nephites to die. His son, Moroni, was the last. Mormon abridged much of the Nephite records. He wrote both the Words of Mormon and the book of Mormon.

Moroni, son of Mormon, was the last living descendant of the Nephite civilization and its last prophet. He survived for over 20 years after the rest of his people were destroyed. He finished his father's record and wrote the book of Moroni. He also abridged the Jaredite record and included it in the Book of Mormon as the book of Ether. He appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and supplied him with the Nephite records, so they could be translated and published as the Book of Mormon.

04
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Jaredite and Lamanite Prophets

Mahonri Moriancumr, the Brother of Jared, was a Jaredite prophet who led his people from the Tower of Babel to the Americas. His faith was sufficient to see Jesus Christ and move a mountain. Modern revelation finally established his name as Mahonri Moriancumr.

Ether, author of the book of Ether, was the last of the Jaredite prophets. He had the sad task of chronicling the fall of the Jaredite civilization.

Samuel, known as Samuel the Lamanite, was a Lamanite profit charged with prophesying the birth of Jesus Christ to the Nephite people, as well as warning of their wickedness and eventual downfall. The Nephites tried unsuccessfully to kill Samuel. When Jesus Christ came to the Americas, he directed that Samuel and his prophecies be recorded in the Nephite record.

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Cook, Krista. "The 19 Major Book of Mormon Prophets." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/major-book-of-mormon-prophets-4164141. Cook, Krista. (2020, August 27). The 19 Major Book of Mormon Prophets. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/major-book-of-mormon-prophets-4164141 Cook, Krista. "The 19 Major Book of Mormon Prophets." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/major-book-of-mormon-prophets-4164141 (accessed March 19, 2024).