Coriantumr was the last king of the Jaredite nation, a civilization described in the Book of Mormon that originated from the time of the Tower of Babel and ended around 500 B.C. His reign was characterized by extensive warfare and societal decay due to rampant wickedness and secret combinations that sought power. He took the throne during an era marked by strife and rebellion, and his tenure was among the bloodiest in Jaredite history (Ether 14:11-12).
Despite the tumultuous state of the kingdom, Coriantumr himself was noted for his prowess in battle and his deep understanding of the military arts and stratagems of his time (Ether 13:16). His life was one of conflict and survival, as he fought to maintain his dominion against insurgent forces and rivals who repeatedly attempted to dethrone him.
While he valiantly fought off his adversaries like Shared and later Lib, engaging in numerous battles that wounded him severely (Ether 13:31; Ether 14:12), Coriantumr’s own iniquities and the wickedness of his household brought upon him the ire of the heavens. Despite warnings from the prophet Ether, Coriantumr failed to repent and lead his people to righteousness. The Lord sent Ether with a prophetic message to Coriantumr, promising him deliverance and the safety of his people if only he would repent. The alternative was complete destruction, with Coriantumr surviving merely to witness the fulfillment of the prophecy of another people inheriting the land (Ether 13:20-21). This message was tragically unheeded, with Coriantumr’s dismissal of the prophet’s counsel sealing the fate of the Jaredite civilization.
His ultimate conflict came against Shiz, another mighty warrior who had sworn to avenge the blood of his brother slain by Coriantumr. The pursuit of Shiz led to the decimation of both armies until only Coriantumr and Shiz remained. After an intense final battle, Coriantumr slew Shiz, thus fulfilling the words of Ether that he alone would survive the destruction of his people (Ether 15:30-32).
As the last Jaredite standing, Coriantumr lived long enough to cross paths with the people of Zarahemla, a group descended from Mulek who had also come from Jerusalem many years after the family of Lehi and Ishmael had left. His presence among the Mulekites was testament to the fulfillment of the prophecy that he would be buried by another people who would inherit the land (Omni 1:21). Thus, Coriantumr’s life, filled with battles and loss, ended as a sober legacy to the consequences of ignoring prophetic warnings and divine commandments.