Laban (Book of Mormon)
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In the Book of Mormon, Laban (BoM Arabic لابان Lābān) is a man in Jerusalem who commands wealth and servants, and also possesses records on brass plates of the genealogy of Lehi. Before Lehi and his family leave the city, he seeks possession of these records from Laban.
First, Lehi sends his eldest son Laman to request the records, but Laban casts Laman out of his house.
Afterwards, Lehi's family gathers all their gold, silver and precious objects to bring to Laban as payment for the records. Lehi sends his sons with the property to Laban. However, Laban keeps the property, and orders his men to kill Lehi's sons.
After fleeing Jerusalem, the elder brothers Laman and Lemuel are angry at Lehi and their younger brothers Sam and Nephi, and they beat Sam and Nephi with rods. During the beating, an angel appears to them, telling them to return to Jerusalem, and that Laban would fall into their hands.
Finally, Nephi sneaks into Jerusalem at night, and finds Laban drunk on the ground. The Spirit of the Lord tells Nephi to kill Laban with his own sword (see the Sword of Laban) and take the records, saying "It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." Reluctantly, Nephi takes Laban's sword and decapitates him.
See also Laban.