Solomon, known in the Book of Mormon as the son of David and builder of the famed temple in Jerusalem, figures in several passages as a point of reference for both his wisdom and his excesses. After arriving in the promised land, Nephi constructed a temple analogous to Solomon’s, albeit with fewer precious materials due to their absence in the new land. Despite this, the craftsmanship was held in high regard, emulating the quality of Solomon’s creation (2 Nephi 5:16).
The teachings of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon include a reference to Solomon, where the Savior highlights the beauty of natural creation by comparing it to Solomon’s regalia, indicating that “even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these” (3 Nephi 13:29), underscoring the greater importance of spiritual wealth over temporal grandeur.
Jacob, a Nephite prophet, admonished his people for their imitation of the less virtuous aspects of Solomon’s life, particularly his many wives and concubines. He pointed out that despite the deeds of David and Solomon, such actions were an abomination before the Lord (Jacob 2:24), emphasizing the Nephite principle of monogamy as directed by the Lord to Lehi. This contrast between the practice of Solomon and the expectations for the Nephite community served as a cautionary tale against indulgence in carnal desires and the justifications for them (Jacob 1:15; 2:23-24). Solomon’s legacy in the Book of Mormon narrative is thus multifaceted, reflecting both his divinely endowed wisdom and understanding and the spiritual pitfalls that befell him due to his choices later in life.