Sword of Laban
Scott Edward Jackson (1984– )
- Medium
United States
ca. 2009
Shaped steel
"We first read about the sword of Laban in the Book of Mormon when Nephi used it to slay Laban. In the book of Jacob, we learn that Nephi wielded the sword of Laban in defense of his people. In the Words of Mormon, we learn that King Benjamin used the sword to defend his people against the Lamanites. Then King Benjamin passed the sword down to his son Mosiah. Joseph Smith and the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon saw the sword (see D&C 17:1). I researched until I had a foundation from which I could create a sword that would represent the practical utility and beauty of the object. Nephi said that the workmanship of the sword was “exceedingly fine” (1 Nephi 4:9). I do not know what the sword looked like, but I have created a sword that may fit these descriptions."