Hagoth () (Deseret: 𐐐𐐁𐐘𐐉𐐛), in the beliefs of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) was a Nephite shipbuilder who lived in the mid-1st century BC. He is primarily known for his role in maritime expeditions to the north. Hagoth holds a prominent place in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' theology, especially in the context of the church's connections with Polynesians. His figure also appears in the studies of scholars, some of the faith, who seek to prove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.
Pronunciation of the name The pronunciation of this name has sparked some interest among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' scholars, especially historians focused on the history of the Church. It has been included in a pronunciation guide attached to each copy of the English version of the Book of Mormon since 1981. Sources generally indicate a significant difference between the preferred and commonly used contemporary pronunciation and that from the early period of Utah's colonization for many names and terms from the Book of Mormon. However, there is no such difference in the case of the name Hagoth. The original pronunciation, especially that used by Joseph Smith, holds some importance in studies of the proper names found in the Book of Mormon, though within Mormon theology, it is not a decisive factor. To determine the pronunciation used by Smith, researchers sometimes refer to the 1869 edition of the Book of Mormon in the Deseret alphabet, which is a writing system created between 1847 and 1854 in Utah at the request of church leaders, including Brigham Young. There are records from individuals involved in what Latter Day Saints call the translation of the Book of Mormon that shed light on how Smith originally handled unfamiliar words. Hugh Nibley, citing reports from Smith's scribes, stated that he never pronounced such words, always resorting to spelling them out. In Mormon theology, there is no particular effort to determine the original pronunciation of this word, nor of Nephite words and names in general. Within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints theology, there is also an acknowledgment of the inherent difficulty in pronouncing names and terms found in this sacred Mormon text. This difficulty arises from the fact that none of these names were conveyed to Joseph Smith orally. The only likely exception is the name Moroni, who is said to have introduced himself to Smith in a vision in 1823. From a doctrinal standpoint, the way the characters in the Book of Mormon pronounced these words remained unknown to the first Mormon leader.
In the Book of Mormon Information about the life and activities of this Nephite shipbuilder comes from the Book of Mormon. References to him are found in the 63rd chapter of the Book of Alma, which is part of the Mormon canon of scriptures. Hagoth is credited with the construction of several ships, at least two of which disappeared or sank with their crew and passengers. Described as a man driven by an exceedingly great curiosity, he also initiated the building of a large ship, which played a key role in a Nephite maritime expedition to the north. This expedition, interpreted as a colonizing or settlement effort, is said to have occurred in 55 BC. It is considered successful, as the Book of Mormon mentions a subsequent journey north in either 54 or 53 BC. The migrations involving Hagoth are analyzed in the context of the demographic changes in the land of Zarahemla that followed the end of a series of Nephite-Lamanite wars. The Book of Mormon does not provide many additional details about Hagoth. It only mentions the area in which he operated, primarily at the border of the land Bountiful, near the land Desolation. Some commentators point out that, contrary to Mormon tradition, the original text does not suggest that Hagoth himself sailed on any of the ships mentioned, nor does it provide any specific destination for these voyages.
In Mormon theology
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