KnoWhy #126 - What is the Nature and Use of Chariots in the Book of Mormon? (Alma 18:9)

The word “chariot” conjures up images of horse-drawn war vehicles. In the Book of Mormon, however, chariots are referenced little, and never in a battle context, making it hard to be certain about their nature. Though wheeled vehicles are still unattested throughout pre-Columbian America, archaeology currently shows that some Mesoamerican peoples did understand the concept. Alternatively, a litter, sometimes translated “chariot” in the KJV, was a non-wheeled vehicle in which a rider was carried by servants. Its use was prevalent in Mesoamerica, where it was reserved for the social elite. Exploring these possibilities reinforces the importance of reading scripture with an open mind.