Now, keep in mind, this is a very narrowed dow list because there’s a lot of people in the Book of Mormon who are pretty hardcore (Teancum for example). But I’ve limited this list to not just those who did physically awesome things, but also spiritually great. I narrowed it down to my top 6 (top 5 was just too hard).
6) Alma the Younger
His conversion is literally one of my absolute favorite scripture stories. And then he does a 180 from one of the church’s greatest enemies to one of its strongest advocates. His life is full of so many amazing stories and hardcore moments like walking out of Ammonihah’s prison and contending with Korihor to name a few. Not to mention at one point he was high priest, chief captain, and chief judge all at the same time.
5) Ammon
I know that a lot people people first think of him when they think of awesome Book of Mormon heroes. His story with King Lamoni’s flocks is one of the most iconic and memorable in the BOM. He took down all those robbers no problem with the Lord on his side and because of that, he was able to teach the king and then convert thousands of Lamanites. I love how not just physically impressive he is, but spiritually.
4) Mormon
Just to start out, he was named captain over the entire Nephite army when he was only 15 years old! Like, holy cow! Can you even imagine being 15 and leading an entire army? Then, going back a bit, he was basically called to be a prophet when he was only 10 years old when Ammaron passed on the plates to him (though his call didn’t officially start until he was 24). I mean, seriously... I can’t even imagine. His life just gets even more insane as it goes on, ending with his entire people getting wiped out in a great battle. His entire purpose in life is to write down and compile all the Nephites’s history into one book as they grow more and more wicked, eventually getting themselves killed as he watches. It’s completely awful and, again, I can hardly imagine. I have so much respect for him.
3) Nephi I
The man who started it all. He seriously went through so much and yet his faith never wavered. I mean, one of our most quoted scriptures is his: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7). Nephi always did what he had to even if it seemed impossible-- went back to Jerusalem, built the ship, etc.-- and never once complained.
2) Abinadi
What. A. Boss. Again, I have so much respect for this man. You just know that he knew that God was on his side in order to just stand before King Noah’s court and say all that he did. I mean, how intimidating would it be to stand in a room full of judgey priests and a king telling them to repent knowing they hold your life in their hands? And he doesn’t mince words AT ALL. Plus I love so much that while he only converted one person, that one person had such a ripple effect that changed the entire course of history among the Nephites. So just think that if Abinadi hadn’t gone and preached among King Noah’s people, everything with Alma, Alma the Younger, King Mosiah’s sons, and beyond would have never happened. Crazy!
1) Captain Moroni
If anybody knows me at all, you all knew this was coming. How can you not love Captain Moroni? Honestly. Unlike the others on this list, he wasn’t even a prophet, but he did just as much for the people of Nephi as a prophet could. I mean, think of the Title of Liberty! He’s basically calling everyone to repentance. However, he still respected Alma’s authority as God’s servant and knew his place. Gosh, I just love his passion and unrepentant love for his God and country. Then his battle strategies are so ingenious! The Lamanites never stood a chance. As Mormon himself says of him “if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” (Alma 48:17)
