King Noah

King Noah (/ˈnə/)[1] is a Nephite king in the Book of Mormon who appears in the Book of Mosiah. Noah rules over a Nephite colony who came from Zarahemla and settled in the land of Lehi-Nephi, succeeding his father, Zeniff. In the Book of Mosiah, King Noah breaks away from his father's righteous teachings, committing "all manner of wickedness."[2] Noah and his priests sentence the prophet Abinadi, who prophesied of his kingdom's downfall if they did not repent, to death by fire. During a Lamanite invasion, Noah and some of his people flee the land, and those who remain are subjected to Lamanite control. Noah attempts to forbid his men from returning to their families, and they burn him at the stake. Noah is succeeded by his son, Limhi.[3]

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) commonly label Noah a "wicked king," with his character typically presented in a negative light. Art historians and other commenters suggest that Arnold Friberg's painting, Abinadi Before King Noah, has contributed to many Latter-day Saints' perceptions of the story of King Noah. LDS commentators write that Noah's reign is an example of a system of absolute power and discuss the defining traits of Noah's character.

  1. ^ churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" Archived 2020-05-16 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 2023-10-17), IPA-ified from «nōʹa»
  2. ^ Mosiah 11:2
  3. ^ Largey 2003, p. 613; Thomas 2016, pp. 77–79; Bingman 1978, pp. 273–275

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