Book of Mormon Evidence: Anti-Nephi-Lehi

The extraordinary missionary work of the sons of Mosiah, as recorded in Alma 17–27, resulted in a wave of Lamanite conversions. Not only were the Lamanite people generally converted, but also their royalty (Alma 18:22–19:26; 22:1–26). Among these converts were groups of Lamanites taught by Ammon, who took upon them the name Anti-Nephi-Lehies (Alma 23:4–18). This, the text informs us, was done so that they “might be distinguished from their brethren” who remained unconverted (v. 16). In addition, among the converts was a Lamanite king who gave his son a new name—Anti-Nephi-Lehi—upon his ascension to the throne (Alma 24:1–6).

The unusual name Anti-Nephi-Lehi has long perplexed Book of Mormon readers, especially the element Anti-.1 The confusion arises, in the first place, because it looks like the Greek preposition anti, which is commonly used in English as a prefix to mean “opposed to” or “against.” This association is especially inviting because of the use of hyphens in modern editions of the Book of Mormon. In the earliest manuscripts, however, “Anti-Nephi-Lehi” was written simply as “AntiNephiLehi.”² Other proper nouns in the text that begin with Anti include Antion, Antionah, Antionum, Antiparah, and Antipus.3

It would not make much sense, however, for these recent Lamanite converts to declare themselves to be against or opposed to Nephi and Lehi (or their posterity).4 The immediate narrative context is about them relinquishing their hatred for the Nephites and instead coming to love them and join with them (see ; 26:31).5

Alternatively, if Anti derives from the Egyptian relative adjective nty—which means “the one who,” “that,” or “which”—then the name would mean just the opposite, roughly, “that-which(-is-of-)Nephi-Lehi” or “the-one-who(-is-of-)Nephi-Lehi.”6 This proposal works especially well in light of what follows directly after the name is given. The text indicates that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies “were friendly with the Nephites” upon their conversion, and “did open a correspondence with them” (Alma 23:18; emphasis added). The fact that these two parties were “friendly” to each other is perhaps best understood to mean they created a political alliance. Indeed, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and Nephites entered into a covenant or treaty that gave the Anti-Nephi-Lehies land and Nephite protection (cf. Alma 27).7

Conclusion

If Joseph Smith were simply making up names, it would be surprising for him to use Anti as a prefix to Nephi-Lehi in reference to Lamanite converts, as the common English usage for Anti (meaning “opposed to” or “against”) is nonsensical in the immediate narrative context. However, if Anti is of Egyptian origin, then the perplexing name element transforms into a plausible case for ancient origins. Considering that Nephi wrote his record in the “language of the Egyptians” (1 Nephi 1:2) and later Nephite prophets wrote in “reformed Egyptian” (Mormon 9:32), readers shouldn’t be too surprised to find Egyptian name elements in the Book of Mormon’s onomasticon.