Chapter 8
There is strife and
contention over the kingdom—Akish forms an oath-bound secret combination to
slay the king—Secret combinations are of the devil and result in the
destruction of nations—Modern Gentiles are warned against the secret combination
that will seek to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries.
Nearly two generations go by with no intrigue in the land.
After Shule died, his son Omer reigned. Omer had a son, Jared. Jared had a
large family.
This being the Jaredites, it is not surprising to find the
son (Jared) worked to take over his father’s (Omer) kingdom. Jared eventually
rebelled and lived in the land of Heth. He was a cunning man who was able to
sweet-talk the people and took over half the kingdom.
We saw internal dissent begin to significantly harm Nephite
society around 50 BC. After the chief judge’s death, his three sons desired to
be chief judge. After the people made their selection, one son accepted the
choice and supported his brother.
“But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were
desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he
was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their
brethren” (Helaman 1:7).
The Paanchi and his supporters arranged for the
assassination of the chief judge. A new character appears in the Nephite
record. “Therefore [Gadianton] did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if
they would place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who
belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among
the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman” (Helaman 2:5).
It is here we could mark the beginning of the ultimate
downfall of Nephite society as the secret combinations, such as the Gadianton
robbers, would lead to the collapse and destruction of the Nephite society.
The same events in the Jaredite society would ultimately
lead to their downfall. “‘Flattering’
and ‘cunning words,’ generally used for evil purposes and with an implication
of deceit, are also a recurring concern of the Nephite record.”[1]
After taking over half the kingdom, Jared attacked his
father and won the entire kingdom. He forced his father to serve while in
captivity.
While in captivity, Omer had more children, Esrom and
Coriantumr. They were angry at what their brother had done to their father.
They raised an army and attacked Jared.
The army of Jared was defeated. They were about to kill
Jared, but he begged them not to kill him. He said he would return the kingdom
to his father. His offer was accepted.
Jared was “sorrowful” over the loss of his kingdom. He
desired the power and glory of the world which he had lost. He was like the
Nephites at the end of their civilization. Mormon wrote the Nephites were
saddened, not because of their wickedness, “but it was rather the sorrowing of
the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in
sin” (Mormon 2:13).
Jared’s daughter, described as a very beautiful woman,
enters the picture. She has a plan which would restore her father’s kingdom.
She reminded him of the record brought with Jared’s group when the crossed the
sea. “And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks
concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam, and an account from
that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the
children of men until that time, is had among the Jews” (Ether 1:3). Found in
that record, she told him, was “an account concerning them of old, that they by
their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory” (Ether 8:8).
She told him to send for Akish, a friend of his father. She
would dance for him. This provocative dance would make him desire her. She told
him to say her would give her to him as his wife if he would bring him the head
of his father, Jared.
This must have been quite a dance, because it worked. He
asked for her to be his wife. Jared said he would do it, if he would bring the
head of his father (and Akish’s friend). Akish agreed.
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