According to Brant Gardner, the Nephite transition from kings to judges (see Mosiah 29:41) has several parallels in Mesoamerican political systems. It is important to understand that the roots of the shift from a monarchic to a more communal government structure were already in place in the Book of Mormon prior to Mosiah’s abolition of the monarchy. The “voice of the people” was a communal mechanism that even acted to confirm kingship. (see Mosiah 7:9; 2:11; 29:1)
In Mesoamerica, the change from a king to a more communal system of judges is clearly seen at Chichen Itza near the end of the Classic Period. While not as conclusive as the Chichen case, the argument for an oligarchic political structure at Teotihuacan is also very strong.
Just as with the Book of Mormon case, the structures that allowed this power shift away from single kings to a more communal rule were already in place and functioning in the monarchies. Ethnohistorical sources tell us that Maya communities had a popl nah, or a “mat house.” The “mat house” was a community location where the “lords convened, where all important community matters were discussed, and where disputes were adjudicated.” These communal locations for the convening of lords and for judging disputes provides a direct parallel to the Nephite judge system. The shift from a king to judges would have been as natural a change for the Nephites in the land of Zarahemla as it was for the people of Chichen Itza, and probably Teotihuacan. For the Maya, there are tantalizing hints in some of the glyphic material that this process began even during the reign of some kings, with the kings being required to share the power and the glory in stone with lordly judges. [Brant Gardner, “A Social History of the Early Nephites,” delivered at the FAIR Conference, August 17, 2001, p. 10]
Mosiah 29:42 Alma was appointed to be the first chief judge (Nephite Record Keepers) [[Illustration] Nephite Record Keepers. Adapted from [Church Educational System, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 155]
Mosiah 29:42 He [Alma] being also the high priest, his father having conferred the office upon him (Nephite Chief Priests) [[Illustration] Nephite Chief Priests. Adapted from [John W. Welch and Morgan A. Ashton, “Charting the Book of Mormon,” Packet 1, F.A.R.M.S., 1997]
Mosiah 29:44 And thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all the land of Zarahemla (Illustration): Chart: “The Nephite Judges.” [John W. & J. Gregory Welch, Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching, F.A.R.M.S., Chart #33]
Mosiah 29:44 And Alma was the first and chief judge (Illustration): Chart: “Alma as Chief Judge: Years 1-8 of the Reign of the Judges.” [John W. & J. Gregory Welch, Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching, F.A.R.M.S., Chart #34]