After nearly a year’s journey across the ocean, the
Jaredites landed in their promised land. In the book of Alma, Mormon gave us an
idea about the promised land of the Jaredites, using references which the
Nephites would recognize.
“And also there were many Lamanites on the east by the
seashore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the Nephites were
nearly surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless the Nephites had taken
possession of all the northern parts of the land bordering on the wilderness,
at the head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the
wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they
called Bountiful.
“And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation,
it being so far northward that it came into the land which had been peopled and
been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken, which was discovered by the
people of Zarahemla, it being the place of their first landing.
“And they came from there up into the south wilderness. Thus
the land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on the southward
was called Bountiful, it being the wilderness which is filled with all manner
of wild animals of every kind, a part of which had come from the land northward
for food” (Alma 22:29-31).
Moroni also provided a geographical reference. “Now the land
of Moron, where the king dwelt, was near the land which is called Desolation by
the Nephites.” (Ether 7:6).
Like any group of settlers arriving in their new land, they
began to establish themselves. They no doubt built homes for their families.
They also began to farm the land to provide food for the people.
The Jaredite group consisted of about twenty-four adult
males. As time went on, their population grew as they had children. “Figuring the demographic growth of Jared's
party requires that we establish how many there were initially. Ether 6:16
indicates that the founding generation consisted of twenty-four males. The
brother of Jared sired twenty-two sons and daughters, while Jared had twelve
(see Ether 6:20) … Estimating on the basis of these numbers, the original party
reasonably could have numbered on the order of eighty adults. Not many decades
later, when Jared's grandsons, Corihor and Kib, were vigorous political
leaders, we read of a ‘city’ in a land, ‘Nehor,’ not previously mentioned (see
Ether 7:9).”[1]
There is little doubt there were indigenous people in the
area when the Jaredites settled. There easily could have been interactions
between the groups as the Jaredite settlement grew. The Jaredites were a humble
people, obeying the Lord’s commandments. Moroni tells us “they were also taught
from on high” (Ether 6:17).
Moroni left much about the establishment of the Jaredite
society out of his abridgment. After three verses (Ether 6:16-18) outlining the
establishment of the Jaredite society, Moroni tells us the brother of Jared is
approaching his death. He tells Jared he wants the people gathered together. A
census would be conducted at that time. He also wanted to know “what they will
desire of us before we go down to our graves” (Ether 6:19).
The people came together. We read the brother of Jared had
twenty-two children. Jared had twelve children, eight daughters and four sons.
Moroni gives us no more information about the size of the Jaredite group.
The people asked him to appoint one of his sons, or a son of
Jared, as their king. The brother of Jared was not pleased with this request.
He warned them how dangerous it could be for their society if they have a king.
Before his death, King Mosiah abolished the kingship among
the Nephites. He used very powerful words explaining why he was doing this.
Reading King Mosiah’s words, one might wonder how much of his concern was based
on his knowledge of what happened to the Jaredites.
“Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is
not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you.
“For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to
be committed, yea, and what great destruction.
“Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his
abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold
what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities
they were brought into bondage…
“And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an
iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much
blood.
“For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth
his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in
righteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of
God;
“And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his
people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth
not obey his laws he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against
him he will send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy
them; and thus an unrighteous king doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.
“And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that
such abominations should come upon you” (Mosiah 29:16-18, 21-24).
“Mosiah stressed that the wickedness of King Noah had caused
the people to come into bondage (see Mosiah 29:18-19). This is also a common
theme in the book of Ether. At the time kingship was first established among
the Jaredites, the brother of Jared warned that it would lead to captivity (see
Ether 6:22-23). Throughout Jaredite history, a number of kings were conquered
by a son or brother and made to serve in captivity (see 7:5, 7, 17; 8:3-4;
10:14-15, 30-31; 11:9, 18-19, 23; 13:23).”[2]
Jared ignored the words of warning from his brother. He was
able to convince him to select a king from their sons.
The kingship was offered to the brother of Jared’s
firstborn. It turned out he was as wise as his father and refused. The people pleaded
to the brother of Jared. Please, they asked, force him to be king. Once again,
we see the brother of Jared’s wisdom. He refused. He told them they should not
force any man to be kings.
All of the brother of Jared’s sons were asked to be king.
They all refused.
They turned to Jared’s sons. Three refused; one, Orihah,
accepted to the kingship.
Under Orihah’s leadership, the people prospered. During his
reign, his father and his uncle both died.
Orihah was a righteous king. He remembered all the Lord had
done for his father and uncle, as well as his people. He was a righteous king,
teaching his people how great the Lord had been to them.
[1] When
Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There? John L.
Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.
[2] King
Mosiah and the Judgeship, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute website.
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