We know very little about an early character that appears early in the Book of Mormon by the name of Zoram. When Nephi goes to Laban’s treasury to get the plates of brass Zoram is introduced as “the servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury.” When they met Nephi commanded Zoram “in the voice of Laban, that he should go with [him] into the treasury.” Zoram assumed it was Laban because Nephi was wearing Laban’s clothes and carrying his sword. Nephi must have had a similar voice, or the Lord helped with his voice to sound like Laban, as they carried on a conversation “concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them” while walking to rejoin Nephi's “elder brethren, who were without the walls.” Zoram followed Nephi, assuming that Nephi was speaking “of the brethren of the church, and that [Nephi] was truly...Laban.”
When Laman saw Nephi and Zoram outside the walls of Jerusalem coming toward him and his brothers “he was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam.” They ran away, supposing “it was Laban, and that he had slain” Nephi and was now going to kill them. In response, Nephi "called after them, and they did hear me; wherefore they did cease to flee from” Nephi.
Now, picture Zoram. He thought he was following his master, Laban, to join with the elders of Jerusalem with whom Laban had been earlier that evening. No doubt he began to wonder what was going on asking himself questions like:
- Who are these men who were running and have now stopped because they recognized the voice of the person I thought was Laban?
- Who is this person I have been following?
- Why is he wearing Laban’s clothes?
- Where is Laban?
Whatever he was thinking “he began to tremble, and was about to flee from…[Nephi] and return to the city of Jerusalem.”
At this point we learn a little more about Nephi. He describes himself as “being a man large in stature, and also having received much strength of the Lord.” Therefore, he “did seize upon the servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee.” It is likely that Zoram was also a large and mighty man as he was the keeper of Laban’s treasury—not a position for those who could not defend the treasury. Nephi’s claim, “having received much strength of the Lord” is likely an understatement to be able to hold the older, and likely strong, Zoram.
While he may have been able to hold him down for a period of time, eventually the sun would rise and people would see Nephi holding Zoram, or people would hear Zoram struggling, and come to his aid. Regardless, Nephi could not let Zoram go as he would then tell people about Lehi’s sons who had told Laban they needed the plates to go into the wilderness. They would find Laban beheaded and stripped of his clothing in the street. The people would no doubt follow and find the Lehites and destroy them for killing and robbing Laban. Obtaining the plates would be for naught. However, if Zoram came with Nephi and his brothers the people of Jerusalem would likely assume that Zoram had killed Laban and fled with Laban’s treasure and not know where to look. Zoram had to be convinced to join them.
In an effort to convince him to join them Nephi told Zoram “that if he would hearken unto [his] words, as the Lord liveth, and as [he lived], even so that if he would hearken unto our words, [he] would spare his life.” Those were really the only two options—Zoram had to follow them or be killed to keep their identity, purpose, and location unknown. Continuing his efforts to reason with Zoram, Nephi said, “Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing; and shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord? Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father thou shalt have place with us.”
With this, Zoram “did take courage at the words which [Nephi] spake.” Zoram “promised that he would go down into the wilderness” with Nephi and his brothers “and he also made an oath” that he would remain with them.
All of this turned on Nephi witnessing to Laban, “Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing,” asking a question that engaged his agency, “shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord?” And then making a promise, “if thou wilt go...thou shalt have…” Zoram was no doubt religious. He spoke to Nephi “many times concerning the elders of the Jews” as the two walked the streets of Jerusalem together to Nephi’s brothers outside Jerusalem's walls. It seems that Nephi’s inspired pattern of witness, question, promise opened a window by which the Spirit could witness to Zoram that what Nephi was declaring was true, that they should be diligent in keeping the Lord's commandments, and that he should follow them.
There is a precept to be derived from Nephi’s inspired declaration, question, and invitation/promise pattern that are applicable to every latter-day disciple. This is a prophetic pattern that is constantly repeated today. We must choose whether we will receive the declaration, sincerely ask ourselves and answer the question as guided by the Spirit, and act upon the invitation with faith the promise will be realized. Doing so will draw us closer to God. Not doing so will distance us from God.
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