We do not know why Laban had the brass plates. 1 Nephi 4:22 states: "And he [Zoram] spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them" and in verses 26 and 27 Zoram again refers to the "elders of the Jews" and the "brethren of the church" in relation to Laban. Due to these verses it is believed that Laban was some sort of Jewish official who had some type of religious or political role in Jerusalem. Perhaps he was a descendant of those who had written and preserved the brass plates or perhaps he was designated by his "brethren" to keep the plates. We do not really know.
Sincerely,
Jenny St. Clair
Reference Librarian
Church History Library
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