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Why So Many Lamanites?

This is probably not a new idea to some, but this is something my close friend and I figured out recently.

Remember that the Nephites eventually came to the land of Zarahemla from their earlier home in the land of Nephi-- and united with the Mulekites. They collectively are called Nephites after that. However Mosiah 25 says there were more Mulekites than Nephites. It also notes that there were twice as many Lamanites as Nephites and Mulekites together.

So a question arises: why were there so many Lamanites?

Around 550 BC, at the time of separation after Lehi died:

Nephi, Zoram and Sam were married and had families. It does not sound like Jacob and Joseph, nor his sisters were married. Possibly, some of these sisters of Nephi left their husbands who were sons of Ishmael because of the rift. We can be sure that Jacob and Joseph did eventually marry. So among the Nephites there were at least 5 families bringing children-- probably more. Furthermore we know that this group practiced some plural marriage for a time.

Those who did not go with Nephi were Laman, Lemuel and the Sons of Ishmael. 2 Nephi 4 shows that Laman and Lemuel were married and had familes. And possibly some or all of the Sons of Ishmael. So among the Lamanites there could have been 5 or more families bringing children.

However, it does not sound like there were twice as many Lamanite families at the start. So why in Mosiah 25 --around 430 years later in 120 BC-- are the Lamanites not only twice as numerous as the original Nephites, but of these Nephites AND the even more numerous Mulekites?

If the Mulekites were twice as numerous as the Nephites, then the Lamanites were six times as numerous as the original Nephites. Yet at the time of the division there does not seem to be any reason to suspect this would happen. For a lot of reasons, one would think the Nephites would have been more prolific.


So one possibility, even though the Book of Mormon does not mention it, is that the Lamanites mixed with another heathen race (or races) in the land.

And like those who joined with the Nephites became also known as Nephites, so likewise those who joined with the Lamanites were all called Lamanites.

This could also be the source of this curse that came upon the Lamanites, rather than God changing their DNA:

What other explantion could there be for there being so many more Lamanites by the time of Mosiah, and for the genetic change that came upon them as a people?

Richard

Lamanites So Why

Perhaps any non-Nephite was considered a Lamonite. (dark skinned) It is pretty obvious that there were many other people here at the time of Lehi's arrival. And we know that when people come to a new land they mingle and marry within the other population and are absorbed into the dominate culture. We know however that the Jewish law forbids any inter-marriage between Jews and gentiles. Thus the Nephites who kept the traditions of the Jews probably did not marry into the native American populations, but remained separate. While the descendent's of Lamon did. Thus those who were not Nephites would have been out numbered by the Lamonites who adopted the culture and inter-married with the native populations.

Thus their skin became dark because of the iniquity (breaking the Jewish customs and inter-marring and adopting the native American cultures.) Thus as time passed any Native American may have been seen as a Lamonite to the Nephites even if they did not have any actual Lamonite Blood because they were absorbed by the dominant culture. To me it is a simple idea that Lamon's and his followers married and were absorbed into the dominate native American populations.

Why So Many Lamanites? Studies Doctrine Mormon

Was there more people here, other than the Nephites and Lamanites? (or Jaredites)

Lamanites So Why

Yes, I think that is very practical to assume that their was other people here before and during the Nephites stay. Historical records, and archeology show us that many came over the barring straight land bridge, DNA evidence shows us this as well. Also the new introduction to the Book of Mormon says that the nephites were AMONG the decedents of the native American. We cannot discount these facts.

Lamanites So Why

That's interesting . . . I always thought that the Jaredites were the first ones here, and that all the American Indians (from South to North) were the "actual" Lamanites.

So, who where the "other" guys? Do you think God brought them over too? Maybe there is a similar record for them?
What is their story? . . .

Why So Many Lamanites?

I do not think we really know. I suspect they migrated here during the ice age for food and land. They came from the Asia over the land bridge that is now the baring strait.

Why So Lamanites

Maybe the Lamanites just reproduced faster than the Nephites, also the theory of Isiah53 makes a lot of sense. I believe there were people already there when they reached so they started mixing quickly.