Zoram was originally the servant of Laban in Jerusalem, holding the significant responsibility of having the keys to Laban’s treasury. During a transformative encounter with Nephi, who was seeking the plates of brass under divine command, Zoram was unwittingly drawn into the latter’s mission. Initially mistaking Nephi for his slain master Laban due to Nephi’s disguise, Zoram complied with requests to secure the plates. Upon the revelation of Nephi’s true identity, Zoram experienced fear and intended to flee, but Nephi constrained him and offered freedom and safety if he would agree to accompany Lehi’s family into the wilderness. With an oath of assurance for his life and an offer of a free status comparable to that of Nephi’s family, Zoram consented and became a member of Lehi’s traveling party (1 Nephi 4:20-37).
Zoram’s integration into the group was further solidified through his marriage to the eldest daughter of Ishmael, thereby aligning himself with both families that constituted the core of the party destined for the Promised Land (1 Nephi 16:7). This union also highlighted the possibility that he might have been older than Lehi’s sons, given that he married Ishmael’s eldest daughter.
In recognition of Zoram’s loyalty, Lehi extended a blessing to him, affirming his true friendship to Nephi and promising prosperity and security to his seed upon adherence to the commandments of the Lord, a promise indicative of a consecrated future for his lineage on the promised land (2 Nephi 1:30-32). Zoram’s loyalty remained steadfast as he was among those who followed Nephi when the latter separated from Laman and Lemuel after Lehi’s death, indicating Zoram’s commitment to the revealed word of God (2 Nephi 5:6).
Zoram’s descendants, and mentions of his lineage, appear throughout the narrative, with instances of both allegiance to the Nephite cause, as well as divergences as seen in the figure of Ammoron, who declared his lineage from Zoram while leading the Lamanite forces (Alma 54:23). The legacy of Zoram also permeates Nephite military leadership and possible dissident groups, such as the Zoramites, although direct lineage connections to the original Zoram are not explicitly confirmed within the text.