This scene from First Nephi chapter 4 describes God commanding Nephi to behead Laban (v.18). Disguised in Laban’s clothes, Nephi —oddly unstained by blood (v.19)—deceives the plate-keeper and steals the brass plates.
Initially called the servant of Laban (v.20, 30, 31), his name is awkwardly revealed in verse 35:
“And it came to pass that did take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant; and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father. Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth.”
Yet in verse 38, he reverts to the servant of Laban. If Reformed Egyptian was concise, why inscribe the lengthy title instead of just Zoram in verse 20? And why, after introducing him by name, revert back? If of divine origin, wouldn’t the text handle this more consistently?
