Ether 7:8-27

As Shule grew, he became angry with his brother, Corihor[1], who had imprisoned their father. Shule is described as a strong and powerful man “and he was also mighty in judgment” (Ether 7:8).

Shule was able to gather support among the people. He went to the hill Ephraim and, using molten ore, he made steel swords for his followers.

“Making weapons of ‘steel’ and ‘iron’ is mentioned by the Nephites only during their first few generations (2 Ne. 5:15; Jarom 1:8; iron is mentioned only as a ‘precious’ ornamental metal during the time of Mosiah 11:8). Just what these terms originally meant may not be clear. Jaredite ‘steel’ and ‘iron’ and other metals are mentioned twice but are not described (Ether 7:9; 10:23).”[2]

Shule and his army returned to Nehor and battled Corihor. His army defeated Corihor and restored his father, Kib, to the throne. Kib then “bestowed … the kingdom” upon Shule.

Shule ruled and “execute[d] judgment in righteousness; and he did spread his kingdom upon all the face of the land, for the people had become exceedingly numerous” (Ether 7:11).

“[W]hen 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). This is the earliest ‘city’ in the entire Book of Mormon record, yet no city is ever mentioned in the land of Moron, the capital ‘where the king [in Jared's line] dwelt’ (Ether 7:5). Even if half the descendants from those of the eight barges had inexplicably settled in Nehor, the highest number we can imagine for them at this early date would be, say, a hundred people in the ‘city’ and its land. That number could not have made any ‘city.’ Then one generation later, ‘the people [as a whole] had become exceeding numerous’ (Ether 7:11). The scale of population suggested by these statements calls for ‘other’ groups to have been incorporated under Jaredite rule.”[3]

Eventually, Corihor “repented of the many evils which he had done” (Ether 7:13). He was given power in the kingdom (the power never being identified).

Corihor has a son, named Noah. “Corihor's son rebelled ‘and drew away . . . all his brethren and many of the people’ (Ether 7:15), whereupon he captured Shule and became Number One, until the sons of Shule conspired and murdered him, and Shule became Number One for the third time. Under his rule there came prophets telling the people to repent or be destroyed. The people did repent—and prospered: Second cycle.”[4]

After fighting Shule, Noah obtained the land where they Jaredites landed, becoming king over that part of the land. “And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them” (Ether 6:12).

Shule continued the battle, and took Shule prisoner, holding him in Moron. He was about to execute Shule. Shule’s sons quietly entered into Noah’s residence and killed him. They released their father and “placed him upon the throne in his own kingdom” (Ether 7:18).

Noah’s son took over his father’s kingdom. He failed to defeat Shule and his people. The people under Shule’s rule were prosperous and became a great people. This would lead to the establishment of two kingdoms, The Kingdom of Shule and the kingdom of Cohor, son of Noah.

Cohor wanted to take over the kingdom of Shule. He began a war to obtain the land, but Cohor was killed.

Cohor’s son, Nimrod, gave up Cohor’s kingdom to Shule. He gained the support of Shule. With Shule’s support, he did whatever he desired.

During Shule’s reign, prophets, sent by the Lord, warned the people, because of the wickedness and idolatry, the people would be destroyed lest they repented of their sins.

The people rejected the prophets and their warnings. They were mocked and abused by the people.

Shule put an end to this abuse. Those who mocked and abused the prophets faced his judgement.

This is similar to what king Mosiah had to do when his people, because of the wickedness, also abused the prophets and messengers of God.

“And now it came to pass that the persecutions which were inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became so great that the church began to murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the matter; and they did complain to Alma. And Alma laid the case before their king, Mosiah. And Mosiah consulted with his priests.

“And it came to pass that king Mosiah sent a proclamation throughout the land round about that there should not any unbeliever persecute any of those who belonged to the church of God” (Mosiah 27:1-3).

Power was given to the Lord’s servants to fulfill them mission to call the people to repentance.

The people repented of their wicked ways. The Lord blessed them and the Jaredites began to prosper as a people. For the remainder of Shule’s reign as king, peace reigned throughout the land.

“I testify of this reaching, rescuing, merciful Jesus, that this is His redeeming Church based on His redeeming love, and that, as those in the Book of Mormon declared, ‘there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord [to speak it] … [Yea,] there came prophets in the land again.’ I testify that President Gordon B. Hinckley is in every way, from head to toe, such a prophet, one whose life and voice we cherish and for whom we have prayed so much. He will now conclude this semiannual gathering. For such a blessing—and all these blessings and so many more. I give personal thanks at general conference time, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”[5]

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[1] The name Corihor is an example of Jaredite influence among the Nephites. Alma₂ had to deal with an anti-Christ who had influence among the Nephites. His name was Korihor, a Jaredite name.

[2] Economy and Technology, Daniel C. Peterson, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.

[4] The Prophetic Book of Mormon, Hugh W. Nibley, Reprinted with permission from The Prophetic Book of Mormon, vol. 8 of The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1989), 435-68.

[5] Prophets in the Land Again, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2006 General Conference.