Cezoram ascended to the highest judicial position among the Nephites as the chief judge around 30 B.C., succeeding Nephi, the son of Helaman, when the latter dedicated himself entirely to preaching the gospel. His tenure as chief judge began during a tumultuous period marked by moral decline among the Nephites, where the voice of the people often leaned towards choices of evil over good, indicating a society ripe for destruction due to the corruption of its laws (Helaman 5:1-4).
Despite a temporary respite of peace secured by the ministerial efforts of Nephi and his brother Lehi, Cezoram’s administration struggled with internal challenges, particularly the rise of the Gadianton robbers, a secret and oath-bound organization seeking power and wealth. Approximately four years into his service, Cezoram’s term was abruptly terminated when he was assassinated while sitting on the judgment-seat (Helaman 6:15). The identity of his assassin was not discovered, but the act resonated with the modus operandi of the Gadianton robbers. In a morbidly similar fate, his son, who was appointed to fill his vacated seat, was also murdered within the same year, signaling the extent of the Gadianton robbers’ influence and their ruthless ascent to power (Helaman 6:19).