Pahoran was the fourth chief judge of the Nephites around 52 B.C., seemingly noted for his commitment to the principles of liberty and the maintenance of the law, as established by his predecessors. The son and successor of Pahoran I, he was one of three brothers who pursued the judgment-seat after their father’s death. In a democratic decision that reflected the preference of the Nephite people, Pahoran was appointed to the chief judgeship by the voice of the people, triumphing over his brothers Paanchi and Pacumeni in the contention for leadership (Helaman 1:3-5).
The election’s aftermath, however, was marred by discord and violence. While Pacumeni accepted the decision, Paanchi and his faction were discontent and conspired to overturn the popular verdict. Eventually, Paanchi was apprehended, judged, and executed for his intended insurrection, aiming to destroy the liberty of the Nephite people. In response to Paanchi’s execution, his partisans commissioned Kishkumen, a notorious man, to assassinate Pahoran. The murder of Pahoran by Kishkumen was carried out as the chief judge sat upon his judgment-seat, rendering it a shocking direct attack on the Nephite system of governance and law (Helaman 1:9).
Pahoran’s tenure, though brief, was critical in the larger narrative of the Book of Mormon, as it marked the continuation of contentions for power that plagued Nephite society during this tumultuous era. His untimely death led to the rise of his brother, Pacumeni, to the chief judgeship, albeit for a relatively short period before further turmoil ensued with the Lamanite invasion and Pacumeni’s own death. The quick succession of these events highlights the precarity and challenges of the Nephites’ political landscape.