Anti-Nephi-Lehi
Encyclopedia
According to the Book of Mormon
, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were a group of people who, after a significant religious conversion, made a covenant that they would not participate in war and buried their weapons.
The plural form of the name, Anti-Nephi-Lehies, was taken on by Lamanite Christian converts. Later, they were called Ammonites to honor the primary missionary of their conversion. Anti-Nephi-Lehies differed from other Book of Mormon people in that they were pacifists as a reaction to their previous extreme warlike behavior. Anti-Nephi-Lehies preferred death over killing in self-defense.
Anti-Nephi-Lehi, who succeeded his father as king of all the Lamanite lands except the land of Ishmael, was also one of the converted Lamanites, and a brother to Lamoni
.
The term "anti" has confused readers since the Lamanites made a covenant to serve the Lord. These readers assume the Latin/Greek meaning of the prefix "anti," which means "opposing" or "against." However, the Book of Mormon record states that it was written reformed Egyptian
, so a Greek or Latin meaning is unlikely. "Anti" may be a reflex of the Egyptian "nty:" 'he of, the one of.' Thus, rather than having the sense "against," it may have the meaning "the one of Nephi and Lehi."
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were a group of people who, after a significant religious conversion, made a covenant that they would not participate in war and buried their weapons.
The plural form of the name, Anti-Nephi-Lehies, was taken on by Lamanite Christian converts. Later, they were called Ammonites to honor the primary missionary of their conversion. Anti-Nephi-Lehies differed from other Book of Mormon people in that they were pacifists as a reaction to their previous extreme warlike behavior. Anti-Nephi-Lehies preferred death over killing in self-defense.
Anti-Nephi-Lehi, who succeeded his father as king of all the Lamanite lands except the land of Ishmael, was also one of the converted Lamanites, and a brother to Lamoni
Lamoni
In The Book of Mormon, Lamoni is a Lamanite king. The missionary Ammon converts him back to the Law of Moses. After this, Lamoni becomes righteous....
.
The term "anti" has confused readers since the Lamanites made a covenant to serve the Lord. These readers assume the Latin/Greek meaning of the prefix "anti," which means "opposing" or "against." However, the Book of Mormon record states that it was written reformed Egyptian
Reformed Egyptian
According to the Book of Mormon, that scripture of the Latter Day Saint movement was originally written in reformed Egyptian characters on plates of "ore" by prophets living in the Western Hemisphere from perhaps as early as 2600 BC until as late as AD 421. Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the...
, so a Greek or Latin meaning is unlikely. "Anti" may be a reflex of the Egyptian "nty:" 'he of, the one of.' Thus, rather than having the sense "against," it may have the meaning "the one of Nephi and Lehi."