Corihor was a figure in the Jaredite record distinguished by his rebellion against his father, Kib, who was king at the time. Born in a lineage that traced back to Jared, the progenitor of the Jaredite civilization, Corihor’s actions were significant in the early political tumult of the Jaredite nation. His challenges to monarchical succession offer insight into the early dynastic struggles of the Jaredites.
At the age of thirty-two, Corihor chose to reject his father’s rule and establish his own base of power in the land of Nehor, separating himself from the throne to which he was heir (Ether 7:4). He succeeded not only in gathering a following but also in appealing to numerous individuals based on aesthetics and charisma, as his children are noted for having become “exceedingly fair.” This quality, combined with Corihor’s own leadership, drew many people to his side, swelling the ranks of his supporters.
Corihor’s aspirations led to more than mere renunciation of paternal allegiance. He took his father captive, usurping the throne and fulfilling a cautionary prophecy made by the brother of Jared concerning the perils of kingship and its tendency to lead to captivity (Ether 7:5). This act set a precedent for future internal conflicts within the Jaredite monarchy.
Despite his initial success, Corihor’s reign was challenged by his own brother, Shule, who amassed forces and counterattacked, succeeding in deposing Corihor and restoring power to their father, Kib (Ether 7:8-9). In a display of penitence and acceptance of his brother’s sovereignty, Corihor repented for his earlier insurgence. Shule, on his ascension to power, acknowledged Corihor’s change of heart and awarded him some degree of authority within the kingdom (Ether 7:13). Corihor’s later life, marked by this repentance, contrasts with the trajectory of his offspring, particularly Noah and Cohor, who persisted in the cycle of familial rebellion and political discord (Ether 7:14; 13:17).