Laban was a wealthy and influential man living in Jerusalem around 600 B.C. He was known to be a descendant of Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob (1 Nephi 5:16), and was recognized for being the custodian of the brass plates. These plates were a sacred record that contained the five books of Moses, a history of the Jews, and the prophecies of the holy prophets up to the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, as well as a genealogy of Lehi’s forefathers (1 Nephi 5:11-14).
Laban’s interactions with Lehi’s family are a focal point in early Nephite history. Lehi, having been commanded by God to depart into the wilderness, was instructed to send his sons back to Jerusalem to retrieve the brass plates from Laban. This task was essential to preserve the language, genealogy, and the commandments the Lord had delivered to the children of Israel (1 Nephi 3:3-4). Laban, however, vehemently refused to give the plates to Laman, Nephi’s elder brother, accusing him of being a robber and threatening his life (1 Nephi 3:11-13). Subsequent attempts by Lehi’s sons to acquire the plates involved offering riches to Laban, which he coveted and seized without honoring the agreement, once again endangering the brothers’ lives (1 Nephi 3:24-26).
Laban was also known for his military prowess, capable of commanding fifty men, and for having an exceedingly fine sword made of precious steel (1 Nephi 4:9, 1 Nephi 3:31). This sword, and his armor, became significant when, after two failed attempts to acquire the brass plates, Nephi encountered Laban incapacitated on the streets of Jerusalem. At the command of the Lord and ensuring the future of his people, Nephi reluctantly slew Laban with his own sword, thereby obtaining the brass plates (1 Nephi 4:18). Ultimately, Laban’s sword was carried to the promised land by Nephi and served as a template for manufacturing swords to defend his people (2 Nephi 5:14). It became a symbol of authority and was passed down among the Nephite record keepers (Mosiah 1:16).