Lamanites

The Lamanites () are a people described in the Book of Mormon. They also appear in other scriptures and teachings of the Latter Day Saint movement. They are portrayed as descendants of Laman, the eldest son of Lehi, and as longstanding rivals of the Nephites, whose civilization they ultimately destroyed. The Doctrine and Covenants records revelations directing early Latter Day Saint missionaries to preach to the Lamanites. Historically, Latter Day Saints identified them primarily with Native Americans, later extending the concept to include many Polynesians. Since the late twentieth century, official publications of the movement's largest denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), have adopted more limited statements about their relationship to Indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Book of Mormon's descriptions of the Lamanites, particularly those concerning skin color and divine cursing, have influenced Latter Day Saint teachings on race and have been the subject of scholarly discussion and reinterpretation.