Pahoran became the third chief judge and governor over the Nephites after the death of his father, Nephihah, at the end of the twenty-fourth year of the reign of the judges. He took office under an oath to judge righteously, keep the peace, secure the freedom of the people, and bring the wicked to justice (Alma 50:39-40). Early in his term a party of the people petitioned to alter certain points of the law; Pahoran refused. Those who wanted him removed were called king-men, because they sought to overthrow the free government and set up a king; those who wanted him to remain took the name of freemen. The dispute was settled by the voice of the people in favor of the freemen, and Pahoran kept the judgment-seat (Alma 51:2-5).
While the Nephites fought the Lamanites, the chief captain Moroni sent Pahoran an epistle asking him to gather men to strengthen Helaman’s armies (Alma 59:3). When reinforcements and provisions did not come, Moroni wrote again, charging Pahoran with neglect and thoughtless stupor while the enemy spread death (Alma 60:1-36). Pahoran replied that he had not neglected the war: the king-men had driven him from the judgment-seat, taken possession of Zarahemla, appointed a king, and allied with the king of the Lamanites, and he had fled to the land of Gideon (Alma 61:5). He told Moroni he was not angry at the censure but rejoiced in the greatness of his heart, and asked Moroni to come and help reclaim the capital (Alma 61:9).
Moroni joined his forces with Pahoran’s at Gideon; they defeated Pachus, king of the dissenters, and Pahoran was restored to his judgment-seat (Alma 62:8). The two then marched against the Lamanites holding the city of Nephihah and took it without the loss of one Nephite soul (Alma 62:14, 26). Pahoran returned to his judgment-seat (Alma 62:44). His judgeship lasted about fifteen years, until his death around 52 BC, after which his sons disputed the succession (Helaman 1:2-4).