Attestation of Luram

In a letter to his son, Mormon mentioned a Nephite captain named Luram who was killed in the final Nephite-Lamanite battles (Moroni 9:2). Although not present in the Bible, this name is attested from ancient inscriptions discovered in the 20th century. It appears on a seal recovered from the site of Hama (Hamath) in Syria as ʾdn-Lrm (“Lord of LRM”) from a destruction level dating to 720 BC.¹ Isaiah mentioned the conquest and destruction of Hamath by the Assyrians (Isaiah 36:19). The same name has been found on graffiti inscribed on three bricks at the same site dating to the same time.²

Conclusion

The appearance of the non-biblical name Luram on inscriptions discovered in the 20th century is significant. It shows that while the name would not have been available to a 19th century figure such as Joseph Smith, it would likely have been a name known to Lehi’s family, either through oral tradition or from the plates of brass. It thus supports the ancient Near Eastern background of the Book of Mormon.

John A. Tvedtnes, John Gee, Matthew Roper, “Book of Mormon Names Attested in Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9, no. 1 (2000): 40–51, 78–79.

Bible Isaiah 36:19Book of MormonMoroni 9:2

Bible

Isaiah 36:19

Book of Mormon

Moroni 9:2