(Dictionary of the Book of Mormon)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 299 - 300

PAANCHI

A son of Pahoran, the elder, who, upon the death of his father, aspired to the vacant judgment seat. When the choice of the Nephite people fell on his brother Pahoran, the younger, Paanchi, raised the standard of revolt, in which he was sustained by the sympathies of a large body of the people. Before he could put his revolutionary intentions into action he was arrested, tried and condemned to death (B. C. 52). This prompt action excited great anger among his followers, and they employed an assassin named Kishkumen, who was a prominent man among them, to murder the new Chief Judge. This he sucessfully accomplished without discovery. It was among the dissatisfied and turbulent followers of Paanchi that the Gadianton robbers appear to have had their origin.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 300

PACHUS

During the entire continuance of the Nephite Commonwealth there appear to have been very many of the Nephites to whom the pomp and glamour of royalty had uncontrollable fascinations. Such we find ever ready to support Amlici, Pachus, Jacob or any other man who put forth claims to the kingly authority. This feeling, probably, with some, had its origin in the pleasant remembrances of the happy days of the good kings Benjamin and Mosiah, but we fear it was too often attributable to a selfish ambition which saw personal aggrandizement or exalted position in the restoration of the monarchy. None of these outbreaks appear to have gained greater temporary sucess than that which was led by Pachus (B. C. 62).

The time chosen for this rebellion was one admirably suited for its unholy purposes. The Nephites were weakened by the long continuance of one of their most bloody wars with the Lamanites, in which the audacity of the enemy had resulted in the loss of many cities. This state of affairs naturally caused discontent, which was increased by the subtlety of the traitors, who used all their influence to weaken the hands of the government at the same time, doubtless, contrasting the glories of the monarchy with the misfortunes of the republic. These wiles had their effect, the king-men rose in power, took possession of the city of Zarahemla, withheld reinforcements and provisions from the national troops on the battlefield, and drove the Chief Judge, Pahoran, out of the capital. The latter retired across the Sidon to the city of Gideon.

Pachus was then recognized as king of the Nephites. Thereupon he opened communications with the Lamanites, by which he agreed to hold Zarahemla against the forces of the republic, while the Lamanites continued the warfare on the Atlantic coast and in the southwest. In this way, the contracting parties expected to conquer the patriot forces.

When Pahoran reached Gideon, he issued a proclamation to the people in the regions around about to gather to the defense of their common liberties. This appeal was so heartily responded to, that the king-men were afraid to risk the issues of battle outside of Zarahemla. Such was the situation when Pahoran wrote to Moroni, the commander-in-chief of the armies of the Commonwealth, to come to his rescue. Moroni, who was fighting on the Atlantic seaboard, promptly obeyed. Gathering up volunteers as he marched, he quickly arrived at Gideon, where he joined his forces to those of Pahoran, and unitedly they marched into the land of Zarahemla. A battle ensued in which the royalists were defeated and King Pachus was slain. As a natural consequence, Pahoran was reinstated in the judgment seat, and for a short time the Nephite Commonwealth was free from internal dissension.

The trials of the captured king-men then commenced. Those found guilty of treason were executed, or were allowed the privilege of joining the armies in the field and fighting for the liberties of the people. Many embraced this offer, while others preferred to die with the lost cause, rather than take up arms in defense of the government they hated.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 301 - 302

PACUMENI

At the death of Pahoran, the elder, the Nephite Chief Judge, three of his sons contended for the successorship. The people chose Pahoran, the younger. To this choice Pacumeni assented, while the other brother, Paanchi, rose in rebellion. Shortly after, Pahoran was assassinated by Kishkumen, a follower of Paanchi, when Pacumeni was chosen by the people to fill the vacant judgment seat. All this occurred in the fortieth year of the Judges, or B. C. 52.

In the year following, the Lamanites gathered an innumerable army and invaded the land of Zarahemla. Their commander was named Coriantumr. He led his vast hosts directly towards the Nephite capital, which he surprised and captured, the Nephites still suffering from the effects of the late divisions and contentions. This was the first time, so far as we have any record, that the city of Zarahemla fell into the hands of the Lamanites.

Pacumeni fled before Coriantumr when he found the city had been surprised, the watch slain, and its streets filled with hostile troops, but he was overtaken before he could pass beyond the walls and was smitten, by the hands of Coriantumr, "against the wall, insomuch that he died."

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 302

PAGAG

The eldest son of the brother of Jared. When it was decided to establish a monarchy on the new land to which the Lord had led the Jaredites, Pagag was the first choice of the people for king. But he resolutely refused the honor, sensing, perhaps, the evils which would follow the adoption of this form of government. The people desired that his father should compel him to be king, but he would not do so, and commanded that they should constrain no man to be their king. The result was that all Pagag's brothers and three of the four sons of Jared followed his example, and when chosen refused to accept the proffered dignity; at last, Orihah, the fourth son of Jared, accepted. Nothing more is said of Pagag in the Book of Mormon, but from his action in this matter we judge him to have been a wise and God-fearing man. (Ether 6:25.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 302 - 304

PAHORAN, THE ELDER

The third chief judge of the Nephite republic. He succeeded his father, Nephihah, on the judgment seat, B. C. 68, and held that exalted position until his death in B. C. 53, when he was succeeded by his son, Pahoran. The days that Pahoran judged the people were full of tumult and war. No sooner was he placed on the judgment seat than great contentions arose between the royalists and republicans. There was quite a number of the people who desired to restore the monarchy, but they were not so numerous as those who desired to maintain the existing form of government. Being outvoted, the kingmen refused to take up arms against the hosts of the Lamanites under Amalickiah. who were then invading the lands of the Nephites. Full power being given to Moroni, the Nephite general, to deal with these rebels, he marched against them with his forces, and in the conflict that followed 4,000 of the royalists were slain, while many of their leaders were captured and cast into prison. The remainder submitted, joined their countrymen in opposing the Lamanite hosts, and gave full allegiance to the republican government. In the mean-time, the Nephites having been weakened by their internal dissensions, Amalickiah marched triumphantly northward, capturing city after city, along the Atlantic seaboard, while his brother Ammoron conducted a victorious campaign in the southwest. The calamities brought on by this royalist defection lasted many years, for the war was not ended until B. C. 61, and for many years afterwards its evil effects, in the condition of the people, were widely manifest. Even while the war continued, a second royalist uprising occurred. Pachus, the leader, drove Pahoran from the judgment seat and obtained control in Zarahemla. The chief judge retired to Gideon. Shortly afterwards (B. C. 62), Moroni came to the assistance of Pahoran, and their united forces gave battle to the rebels, in which encounter Pachus was slain and his followers defeated. This ended the second attempt to re-establish the kingly form of government during Pahoran's judgeship. After the termination of the war with the Lamanites, every effort was put forth to counteract the demoralization which the long-continued struggle had induced. Helaman, and other leaders in the priesthood, went forth among the people preaching the word and organizing the churches; while Pahoran and his associates gave their attenton to restoring civil order. A few years later (B. C. 55), the colonization of the northern continent began, which was continued with increasing numbers of emigrants during the succeeding years. In B. C. 53, dissension again had place among the Nephites, numbers went over to the Lamanites and stirred up strife. An invasion followed, which was speedily repulsed by the forces of Moronihah, the son of Moroni. The character of Pahoran is best shown in his epistle to Moroni (Alma 61.) He was evidently a wise judge, a faithful servant of God, and a loyal citizen of the republic. He also seems to have possessed the characteristics of patience, mildness and forgiveness to a marked degree, but was not lacking in courage, zeal or determination.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 304

PAHORAN, THE YOUNGER

At the death of Pahoran, the first Chief Judge of that name who ruled the Nephites, a contention arose among three of his sons (Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni,) as to which of them should succeed him. As is usual in such cases, each one had his followers, causing much dissension, trouble and confusion among the Nephites. (B. C. 52.) The question was decided by the votes of the citizens of the republic, who chose Pahoran to be chief judge and governor over the people of Nephi. In this decision Pacumeni acquiesced, but Paanchi raised the standard of revolt.

Pahoran retained the judgment seat but a very short time. He was foully assassinated, when in the execution of his duty by one Kishkumen, a leader among the Gadianton robbers, and an adherent of the Paanchi faction. So speedy was the flight of the murderer, and so well was he disguised, that he was not captured.

These things all took place in the fortieth year of the Nephite judges, and Pacumeni was appointed to fill the place rendered vacant by the murder of Pahoran.

The only noteworthy event that took place during his short rule was the commencement of the organization of that terrible band, the Gadianton robbers.