16 And now it came to pass that the king and those who were converted were desirous that they might have a name, that thereby they might be distinguished from their brethren; therefore the king consulted with Aaron and many of their priests, concerning the name that they should take upon them, that they might be distinguished.
17 And it came to pass that they called their names Anti-Nephi-Lehies; and they were called by this name and were no more called Lamanites.
What prompted this? For it is no small thing! To change the name of your people? That’s like changing the name of your country! What would that be compared to today? I can’t even think of an analogy. And why? Would would the king and his converts want to change their name?
Apparently, they no longer wanted to be associated with the name Lamanites. Perhaps because that name was the name that divided and separated them from the Nephites, and was marked or defined by a hatred for the Neohites. Kind of like, perhaps, the long standing conflict between the Jews and Arabs in Israel. If your on either side, you are an enemy to the other.
These Lamanites did not want to be an enemy to anyone. They just wanted to live in peace. And they did! For they opened up a correspondence and trade with the Nephites. The name Lamanites was identified with an indolent, idle, violent and murderous people. Not just with the Nephites, but among themselves as well. They apparently no longer wanted to be associated with things associated with being a Lamanite.
How would this be viewed by their fellow Lamanites who were not converted? I can’t imagine it would be taken well. It would likely be considered a huge insult, and doubtless caused anger and resentment among the prideful Lamanites.
But, good for them! They were so deeply converted to God that they wanted to avoid even the appearance of evil! And to them, the name of Lamanites no longer represented who they were and they eschewed it.
I wish I knew what Anti-Nephites-Lehis meant! Surely it didn’t mean they were against Nephites and Lehi. Indeed the opposite. They wanted, apparently, to adopt and honor the names of Lehi and Nephi, the two great, righteous men who were prophets of God. I assume that’s what they wanted to do- be associated by name with the names of righteous men Like Lehi and Nephi, and not the wicked brother Laman.
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