Ether 10:1-13

Chapter 10

One king succeeds another—Some of the kings are righteous; others are wicked—When righteousness prevails, the people are blessed and prospered by the Lord.

During the famine, king Heth and his household died with one exception, Shez. The record tells us Shez “was a descendant of Heth” (Ether 10:1). This leads us to conclude Shez was not a son of Heth, as Moroni described other kings.

Shez was a righteous king. He wanted to avoid the consequences of sin among his people. “[H]e did walk in the ways of the Lord” (Ether 10:2).

Shez, Jr., the oldest son of king Shez, rebelled. He failed in his efforts. A robber killed him to get his wealth.

During his reign, Shez built many cities. As we’ve seen earlier, the population of the Jaredites alone would not be enough to populate “many cities.” Here is another example of people inhabiting the area where the Jaredites settled.

Riplakish became king after Shez. He was an unrighteous king. He had many wives and concubines. He also heavily taxed the people to build many spacious buildings.

He had an exquisite throne. He built many prisons to hold people who either refused to pay, or were too poor to pay, his burdensome taxes. He forced the people to build his buildings. Those who refused were executed.

“[C]onsider Riplakish, the 10th Jaredite king, an oppressive tyrant who forced slaves to construct buildings and produce fancy goods. Among the items he commissioned about 1200 B.C. was ‘an exceedingly beautiful throne’ (Ether 10:6). The earliest civilization in Mesoamerica is known for its elaborate stone thrones. How did Joseph Smith get this detail right?’[1]

He had prisoners make things of “fine workmanship.”  The people tolerated his rule for forty-two years. Finally, a civil war broke out and spread throughout the land. Riplakish was assassinated and his family members were driven out of the land.

Many years passed. A descendant of Riplakish, Morianton, put together an army composed of those who were among those who were cast out.

He attacked and gained control over many of the Jaredite cities. The war lasted many years, and he gained control of the entire land.

Once he took over as king, he ended the oppressive laws and taxes set by Riplakish. The people were pleased an anointed him king. He was a fair and just king. He himself, however, was a wicked man which resulted in his being cutoff from the Lord.

He built new cities and the people became rich during his reign.

He lived to an old age. Eight years before his death, his son, Kim, became king. He also was a wicked man, like his father.

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[1] Archaeology, Relics, and Book of Mormon Belief, John E. Clark, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14/2 (2005): 46.