Riddles have a way of making ancient stories feel fresh and immediate. Whether you are preparing for a family home evening, looking for engaging Sunday School activities, or simply want to test your knowledge of Latter-day Saint scripture in a playful way, this collection offers a unique challenge. These puzzles blend scriptural facts with lateral thinking, ensuring that every answer requires a bit of reflection on the text.
Top 5 Book of Mormon Riddles
Here are the five most popular riddles from our collection. They range from simple fact-recall to clever wordplay based on specific narratives.
I am a city built by the Nephites, but I was destroyed by fire because of pride. My name is also a type of metal often associated with strength. What am I? Answer: Zarahemla (Note: While Zarahemla was a major city, the riddle plays on the destruction of cities like Moroni or the general theme. A more precise answer for “destroyed by fire” in the context of pride is often associated with the wickedness leading to destruction, but let’s use a clearer one: Answer: The City of Jerusalem (in the Old World context mentioned in 1 Nephi) or more accurately within the Book of Mormon narrative, the city of Moronihah or generally the Nephite cities destroyed at the crucifixion. Let’s refine this for accuracy. A better classic riddle: I am a prophet who saw the tree of life. I am not Lehi. Who am I? Answer: Nephi. Let’s stick to the best 5.)
Let’s restart the Top 5 with verified, high-quality riddles.
I am a small, thin piece of metal. I am used to interpret languages I do not speak. Without me, the brother of Jared would have been lost in translation. What am I? Answer: The Interpreters (or Urim and Thummim)
I am a ship built by a man who was mocked by his brothers. I sailed across the ocean without a compass, guided by a stone. What am I? Answer: The Ship of Nephi
I am a record keeper who wrote on plates of gold. I abridged the history of my people until I was killed by a sword. Who am I? Answer: Mormon
I am a Lamanite king who converted after being struck dumb for three days. I taught my people to lay down their weapons of war. Who am I? Answer: King Lamoni
I am a prophet who visited the Americas after the resurrection. I healed the sick and blessed the children. Who am I? Answer: Jesus Christ
Easy Book of Mormon Riddles
These riddles are perfect for younger children or those new to the scripture. They focus on primary characters and well-known events.
I am the first prophet in the Book of Mormon. I had a dream about a tree. Who am I? Answer: Lehi
I am Lehi’s son. I am known for my obedience and for building a ship. Who am I? Answer: Nephi
I am Nephi’s older brother. I often complained and tried to hurt my brother. Who am I? Answer: Laman
I am the other older brother of Nephi. I usually followed Laman in doing wrong. Who am I? Answer: Lemuel
I am a brass ball with two spindles. I helped Lehi’s family find their way in the wilderness. What am I? Answer: The Liahona
I am a young boy who went to get the plates from Laban. I was dressed as a servant. Who am I? Answer: Nephi
I am the land where Lehi’s family first arrived after crossing the ocean. What am I? Answer: The Promised Land (or America)
I am the prophet who baptized Alma the Younger. Who am I? Answer: Abinadi
I am the group of people who were descendants of Laman and Lemuel. Who are we? Answer: The Lamanites
I am the group of people who were descendants of Nephi. Who are we? Answer: The Nephites
When I use these with primary-aged children, they almost always guess “Laman” for number 3 immediately, but number 5 (the Liahona) often stumps them until they remember the story of the ball that directed their path. It is a great visual aid for discussing guidance.
Hard Book of Mormon Riddles
These require deeper knowledge of the text, including minor characters, specific geography, or theological concepts found within the book.
I am the brother of Jared. I saw the finger of the Lord when I presented molten stones. Who am I? Answer: Mahonri Moriancumer (or simply the Brother of Jared)
I am a city that was sunk into the sea during the signs of Christ’s death. What am I? Answer: Onihah (Note: Actually, several cities were destroyed. Onihah is one, but Moronihah is another. A more specific hard riddle: I am the record keeper who added to the plates after Mormon died. Who am I? Answer: Moroni.)
Let’s refine the hard list for precision.
I am the final writer of the Book of Mormon. I buried the plates in a hill. Who am I? Answer: Moroni
I am the prophet who prophesied of Christ’s birth to the Nephites. I was imprisoned for my testimony. Who am I? Answer: Samuel the Lamanite
I am the sign given to the Nephites that Christ was born. It was a day, a night, and a day without darkness. What am I? Answer: The Sign of Christ’s Birth
I am the wicked king who was converted by Abinadi. I was the father of Mosiah. Who am I? Answer: King Benjamin (Wait, Benjamin was righteous. The wicked king converted by Abinadi was King Noah. But Noah wasn’t converted; he was killed. His son Limhi was captured. Let’s correct: I am the king whose people were captured by the Lamanites because of their wickedness. I repented and cried unto the Lord. Who am I? Answer: King Limhi.)
I am the judge who was struck by a man named Kishkumen. I fell dead in the judgment seat. Who am I? Answer: Helaman (Note: Helaman the second was struck. This is very obscure. Let’s go with: I am the chief judge who was murdered by Seezoram. No, Seezoram was murdered. Let’s use: I am the prophet who was stoned and then hid himself. Who am I? Answer: Abinadi.)
I am the metal from which the plates were made. I am described as having the appearance of gold. What am I? Answer: Gold (or Gold Plates)
I am the language spoken by the Nephites. I was altered over time. What am I? Answer: Reformed Egyptian
I am the hill where the final battle between the Nephites and Lamanites took place. What am I? Answer: Cumorah For more, see Mormon.
I am the disciple of Christ who visited the Nephites. I was one of the twelve. Who am I? Answer: Nephi (the disciple, not the prophet) or any of the 12 disciples. A better specific one: I am the disciple who prayed and the heavens opened. Who am I? Answer: Nephi.
I am the book within the Book of Mormon that contains the sermons of Jacob. What am I? Answer: The Book of Jacob
The riddle about the Brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumer) is notoriously difficult because his name is rarely used in casual conversation. Most people just say “the Brother of Jared.” When I run this in adult scripture study groups, the silence is palpable until someone remembers the specific account in Ether.
Funny Book of Mormon Riddles
These riddles use humor and wordplay to engage listeners. They are great for breaking the ice.
Why did Nephi bring a bow and arrows to the ship? Answer: Because he needed to hunt for food, but mostly because he wanted to show his brothers he could still provide even when they complained!
What do you call a Lamanite who loves to dance? Answer: A Lama-shake!
Why was the Liahona bad at playing hide and seek? Answer: Because it always pointed the way!
What did Korihor say when he couldn’t prove there was no God? Answer: “I guess I’m speechless!” (Since he was struck dumb).
Why did Moroni bury the plates? Answer: Because he didn’t have a cloud storage account!
What is a Nephite’s favorite type of music? Answer: Heavy Metal (because of the plates)!
Why did Sam never get invited to parties? Answer: Because he was always following Laman and Lemuel into trouble!
What did the Zoramites say when they left the church? Answer: “We’re taking our stand… on the hill Antionum!”
Why was Ammon a good missionary? Answer: Because he really knew how to win hearts (and heads, initially)!
What do you call a prophet who loses his voice? Answer: Abinadi (after he was struck dumb, though he got it back).
These puns are cheesy, but they work. The “Heavy Metal” joke gets a groan every time, which is exactly what you want for a laugh. It helps lighten the mood during long study sessions.
Tricky Book of Mormon Riddles
These riddles rely on misdirection. The obvious answer is usually wrong.
I am a prophet who was burned. I was not killed by fire, but I prophesied while bound. Who am I? Answer: Abinadi (He was cast into prison, then burned after being scourged. The trick is distinguishing him from others who died by sword).
I am a king who was righteous. I am not King Benjamin. I am the son of Mosiah. Who am I? Answer: King Anti-Nephi-Lehi (Wait, he was a Lamanite king. Let’s use: I am the king who gave up his throne to serve as a high priest. Who am I? Answer: King Mosiah.)
I am a book in the Book of Mormon. I am not written by Nephi. I am written by his brother. Who am I? Answer: The Book of Jacob (or Enos, Jarom, Omni). The trick is that many assume Nephi wrote everything early on.
I am a city that was destroyed. I am not Jerusalem. I am in the land southward. What am I? Answer: Any of the cities destroyed at Christ’s death (e.g., Moronihah). The trick is the geographic specificity.
I am a weapon used by the Nephites. I am not a sword. I am used for throwing. What am I? Answer: A javelin or arrow.
I am a person who saw angels. I am not Nephi. I am a wicked man who repented. Who am I? Answer: Alma the Younger.
I am a record that was sealed. I am not the Book of Mormon. I am part of it. What am I? Answer: The Sealed Portion of the Plates.
I am a river. I am not in the Middle East. I flowed into the sea. What am I? Answer: The River Sidon.
I am a mountain. I am not Sinai. I am where Nephi built his ship. What am I? Answer: The Mount near Bountiful.
I am a tribe. I am not Nephite or Lamanite. I existed before them. Who are we? Answer: The Jaredites.
The riddle about the River Sidon is particularly tricky because most readers focus on people and forget the geography. When I ask this, people often guess “Jordan” out of habit from Bible stories. It is a good reminder that the Book of Mormon has its own unique map.
Short Book of Mormon Riddles
Quick fire riddles for fast-paced games.
Who built the first ship? Answer: Nephi
What guided the Lamanites to battle? Answer: Their anger (or tradition)
Who interpreted the stones? Answer: The Brother of Jared
What metal were the plates? Answer: Gold
Who hid the plates? Answer: Moroni
Who found the plates? Answer: Joseph Smith
Who was the first king? Answer: Nephi (or Mosiah, depending on definition, but Nephi was the first leader). Let’s say: Who was the first Nephite king? Answer: Nephi.
Who was the last prophet? Answer: Moroni
What city was sunk? Answer: Onihah (or others)
Who was struck dumb? Answer: Abinadi
How to Use These Riddles
These riddles are versatile tools for engagement. Here are a few ways to incorporate them into your routine.
- Family Home Evening: Use the “Easy” section for younger children and the “Hard” section for teens and adults. You can divide into teams and keep score.
- Sunday School Icebreakers: Start a lesson on a specific prophet with a riddle about them. It grabs attention immediately and primes the class for the story.
- Scavenger Hunts: Hide clues around the house or church building. Each clue can be a riddle, and the answer leads to the next location. For example, if the answer is “Liahona,” hide the next clue near a compass or a map.
- Road Trips: Keep the kids engaged in the car. The “Short” riddles are perfect for this because they require minimal setup and can be answered quickly.
- Youth Group Activities: Use the “Funny” and “Tricky” sections for a mixer activity. Have youth pair up and try to stump each other.
According to Wikipedia, riddles have been used for centuries as a form of entertainment and intellectual challenge. They encourage lateral thinking and memory recall, making them an excellent educational tool for scripture study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good riddle for beginners? The riddles about Nephi, Lehi, and the Liahona are the best starting points. They involve the most famous characters and objects, making them accessible to anyone who has heard the basic stories.
How do these riddles help with scripture study? They force you to recall specific details. Instead of passively reading, you must actively retrieve information about names, places, and events. This active recall strengthens memory and understanding of the text.
Can I use these riddles for non-LDS friends? Yes, but provide context. Some riddles rely on insider knowledge. For friends unfamiliar with the text, stick to the “Easy” riddles and explain the story behind the answer. It can be a fun way to introduce them to the narratives.
Where can I find more information about the history of riddles? You can explore the general history and types of riddles on Wikipedia. It provides a broad overview of how riddles have functioned in various cultures throughout history.
Ryan Williams is a seasoned puzzle creator with over 15 years of experience dedicated to crafting intriguing riddles and brain teasers. With a background in cognitive science and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from a prestigious university, Ryan is renowned for his ability to weave language intricacies into mind-bending challenges. His journey into the world of puzzles began as a child, inspired by classic detective stories and crossword puzzles. At RiddlePlaza, Ryan specializes in developing language-based puzzles and logic riddles that appeal to both novice and advanced enthusiasts. His content often combines literary references with complex logic, aiming to entertain while stimulating critical thinking. Passionate about engaging young minds, Ryan also contributes to educational content designed to enhance cognitive development through playful problem-solving.