The Lamanite King, who reigned during the final battles between the Nephites and Lamanites that led to the destruction at Cumorah around AD 385, played a critical role in the concluding events of the Nephite nation. In the year signaling 360 years since the coming of Christ, this king initiated communication with the Nephite leader Mormon by sending an epistle. The contents of the letter informed Mormon that the Lamanites were once again preparing for war against the Nephites (Mormon 3:4). This exchange marks a pivotal diplomatic moment where a Lamanite ruler actively engages in negotiation and war strategy with his Nephite counterpart.
Soon after, Mormon, recognizing that the end of his people was near, penned an epistle in return to the Lamanite King. In it, Mormon requested a cessation of all smaller skirmishes in favor of a final, decisive battle. He sought permission to gather the Nephite forces at the land of Cumorah, by a hill also called Cumorah, to confront the Lamanite armies in an ultimate confrontation (Mormon 6:2). This request and the subsequent agreement by the Lamanite King underline the formality and honor associated with warfare during that time—a stark contrast to the chaos that would soon engulf both nations.
While the specific identity and personal attributes of the Lamanite King are not detailed in the record, his willingness to correspond with Mormon suggests a certain level of respect and potentially a desire to end the protracted and destructive conflict. However, the outcomes of the Battle of Cumorah were devastating for the Nephites, as it led to their eventual annihilation, fulfilling the sorrowful prophecies of their destruction. The actions of the Lamanite King in these final episodes cast him as a notable figure in the closing chapters of Nephite history and contribute to an understanding of the warfare, diplomacy, and tragic decline that characterized the Book of Mormon’s concluding narrative.