John K. Carmack
"We notice the explicit and direct obligations Pahoran undertook as chief judge and governor. No modern official has a similar charge. His responsibilities were akin to those given judges and kings in ancient Israel. The oath administered to the chief judge obligated him to:
- Judge righteously
- Keep peace and freedom intact
- Guard the privilege of worshipping God
- Support and maintain the cause of God
- Bring the wicked to justice according to their crimes
"As in ancient Israel, spiritual and temporal duties intermingled. We don't know who administered the sacred ordinance or of what it consisted, but likely the high priest of the Church officiated in some kind of formal anointing as prophets did for kings in Israel. Pahoran took office at the end of the twenty-fourth year of the reign of judges instituted by King Mosiah. Little did he realize what he would face, and almost immediately. Perhaps for most of us it is well that we don't know much in advance about the trials we must face." (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, pp. 136-7)