Zeniff

Zeniff (/ˈziːnɪf/) is a king in the Book of Mormon whose personal account is recorded in the Book of Mosiah. He is the father of King Noah and the grandfather of King Limhi. Zeniff is the first king of Nephite colonists who come from Zarahemla and settle in the land of Lehi-Nephi. The Nephites believe this land to be rightfully theirs by inheritance (as it was the homeland of the early Nephites), even attempting to reclaim the land by force. In an expedition in which he spies for the Nephites, Zeniff claims to see "good" in the Lamanite inhabitants. He argues against a militaristic approach and causes an internal battle among the Nephite army. Zeniff later leads a group of Nephites back to Lehi-Nephi and establishes a peace treaty with the Lamanite king whose people inhabit the land. Zeniff’s people prosper with him as king, but the Lamanite king betrays their treaty and attempts to exploit them. Zeniff and his people successfully fight off the Lamanites’ multiple aggressions, and Zeniff's reign lasts about forty years, after which he passes the kingship to one of his sons, Noah.

Latter-day Saint (LDS) scholars have presented possible interpretations of Zeniff’s perceptions of the Lamanite people and how his good opinion of them shifts through their disputes. Non-LDS scholar Peter Coviello uses Zeniff’s record to further explore the racialization of Lamanites in the Book of Mormon.