“Zoram and His Sons Crossed Over the River Sidon”

Brant Gardner

Culture: The phrasing of “Zoram and his sons” with “their armies” is significant. Clan organizations were very important social groups. Military organization apparently followed clan lines. Zoram, as general, heads an army drawn from his kin group. Obviously his sons would be leaders in that army. Although we have no information about the age of any of these men, Zoram must have been approaching the end of his life as a combatant. He is there as the clan leader as well as a warrior.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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