Elder-Son Precedence

The expectation that the eldest leads, contested by appointment

Elder-Son Precedence is a designation for claims by elder brothers to govern a people (2 Nephi 5:3). Laman told Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael that Nephi “has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren” (1 Nephi 16:37).

Nephi’s brethren said, “Our younger brother thinks to rule over us,” and added, “it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people” (2 Nephi 5:3). The people chose Pagag, “the firstborn of the brother of Jared,” but he refused to be king, and Orihah was anointed king after Pagag’s brothers and all but one of Jared’s sons also refused (Ether 6:25-27).

In the text

1 Nê Phi 2:22 — The Lord promises Nephi he will be made "a ruler and a teacher" over his brethren if he keeps the commandments, despite not being the eldest.

1 Nê Phi 16:37 — Laman objects that Nephi "has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren."

2 Nê Phi 5:3 — Laman and Lemuel state the claim directly — "it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people."

An Ma 39:10 — Alma counsels his younger son Corianton to "counsel with your elder brothers" and heed them, showing the norm holds in ordinary family life, not only kingship.

An Ma 56:3 — Confirms as settled genealogical fact that Laman "was the eldest son of our father Lehi."

Hê La Man 3:37 — On Helaman's death "his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead" as chief judge — ordinary eldest-son succession, unforced by any special divine intervention.

Ê The 6:25-27 — Jaredite kingship is offered first to the firstborn Pagag, then down the birth order through every brother and son, all of whom refuse, until the youngest, Orihah, accepts.

The expectation that the eldest leads, contested by appointment

In the text

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