Anti-Nephi-Lehi was a figure in the Book of Mormon during the time of the Nephite missionary efforts among the Lamanites. He was the brother of King Lamoni, a Lamanite ruler who converted to the teachings brought by Nephite missionaries led by Ammon. Upon his father’s death, who was the paramount king over the Lamanites, Anti-Nephi-Lehi was conferred the kingdom (Alma 24:3). The name Anti-Nephi-Lehi may have Egyptian origins, denoting “the one of Nephi and Lehi,” instead of implying opposition as it might in English.
In his role as king, Anti-Nephi-Lehi played a critical part during a period of great transformation among his people, who became known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies due to their alliance with Nephite beliefs and culture (Alma 23:16-17). He participated in a council alongside his brother Lamoni and the Nephite missionary Ammon to consider how to protect their converted people from an impending Lamanite attack (Alma 24:5). Under his leadership, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies chose a path of nonviolence, refusing to take up arms against their attackers. This astonishing commitment to their covenant with God led to the conversion of many of their assailants, when they were deeply moved by the Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ willingness to lay down their lives rather than shed blood (Alma 24:24). Despite limited details about his life’s full narrative, his legacy includes the profound impact of his reign and the spiritual steadfastness he encouraged among his people.