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.
1
AND it came to pass that Shez, who was a descendant of Heth—for
Heth had perished by the famine, and all his household save it were
Shez—wherefore, Shez began to build up again a broken people.
Shez
was the next king, although there was not much prestige in being king over a "broken" people . This verse tells us that he was a descendant of Heth,
but the genealogy in chapter one indicates that he was the son of
Heth. Heth and all his family, had died during the famine. This
gives us some idea of how severe the famine was. If the king could not get
food, the situation was indeed dire. Shez attempted to re-establish
the kingdom with a “broken” people. This probably means that the
people had been “broken” in numbers (many deaths), “broken”
spiritually and humbled, and “broken” temporally (reduced to
poverty).
2
And it came to pass that Shez did remember the destruction of his
fathers, and he did build up a righteous kingdom; for he remembered
what the Lord had done in bringing Jared and his brother across the
deep;
and he did walk in the ways of the Lord; and he begat sons and
daughters.
With
the recent calamity fresh in his mind, Shez remembered the Lord and
followed his ways. It is obvious that the memory of the Jaredite
origins was kept alive in the traditions of the people. Shez
established a righteous kingdom, and probably encouraged and taught
his people in the ways of righteousness. This would include avoiding
idolatry.
3
And his eldest son, whose name was Shez, did rebel against him;
nevertheless, Shez was smitten by the hand of a robber, because of
his exceeding riches, which brought peace again unto his father.
His
eldest son, who was his namesake, rebelled against Shez, the king. The son was
old enough to have accumulated riches. Shez, the son, was killed by
a robber before he could accomplish his designs. This would imply
that all in the kingdom were not righteous. At least, the son and this robber
hadn't repented.
4
And it came to pass that his father did build up many cities upon
the face of the land, and the people began again to spread over all the face of the
land. And Shez did live to an exceedingly old age; and he begat
Riplakish. And he died, and Riplakish reigned in his stead.
Built
up cities - what does that mean? The cities of this time period were
centered around a central plaza with an elevated platform. If they
were apostate, they would probably construct a stepped pyramid, or
ziggurat, in the central area. Shez started many of these community
centers, spread outward from the capitol of Moron. It appears
that these people did not have private property and everything
belonged jointly to the community. Individuals would have been
assigned ground to care for, to farm, to construct homes, etc. Shez had a
long life, perhaps in the 100-200 year range. His last son was
Riplakish. This is another example of the youngest son becoming
king.
5
And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right
in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay
that upon men's shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did
tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many
spacious buildings.
Riplakish
was of the rising generation. He had not experienced the famine,
being born much later. He did not follow in the footsteps of his
father, but choose to live a worldly lifestyle, with many wives and
concubines. He supported his extravagant living by heavily taxing
his subjects. With the tax revenue he also built spacious
buildings, palaces, and possibly idolatrous temples. Most of these
would have been for his own benefit and use.
6
And he did erect him an exceedingly beautiful throne; and he did
build many prisons, and whoso would not be subject unto taxes he did cast into prison;
and whoso was not able to pay taxes he did cast into prison; and he
did cause that they should labor continually for their support; and
whoso refused to labor he did cause to be put to death.
He
constructed a majestic and spectacular throne for himself, and there
he would sit and judge the people. This is reminiscent of King
Nimrod's throne and it may have even been patterned after it for they
had a record of this history.
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| Magnificent throne in Palace of Heavenly Purity, China |
Louis
Ginsberg describes Nimrod's throne: “[Nimrod] did
all he could to make [the people] pay Divine honors unto himself. He
set himself up as a god, and made a seat for himself in imitation of
the seat of God. It was a tower built out of a round rock, and on it
he placed a throne of cedar wood, upon which arose, one above the
other, four thrones, of iron, copper, silver, and gold. Crowning all,
upon the golden throne, lay a precious stone, round in shape and
gigantic in size. This served him as a seat, and as he sate upon it,
all nations came and paid him Divine homage.” (Louis Ginsberg,
Legends of the Jews, V. I, ch. 4)
For
those disobedient souls who would not comply with Riplakish's demands, or
were not able to pay his taxes, he built prisons and imprisoned many
of his subjects. Any of these prisoners who refused to work was
executed.
It
is instructive to compare the reign of a righteous king with that of
an unrighteous one, such as this Riplakish. The Nephite king
Benjamin (see Mosiah 2) was such a good king, and his example was
diametrically opposed to that of Riplakish.
7
Wherefore he did obtain all his fine work, yea, even his fine gold
he did cause to be refined in prison; and all manner of fine workmanship he did cause to be wrought in
prison. And it came to pass that he did afflict the people with his
whoredoms and abominations.
The
prison slaves were required to do all kind of special work for the
king's pleasure, including the refining and working of gold. This implies that they lived in a mineral rich area. The
people were afflicted with his wickedness - what does this mean?
They were taxed heavily, he was a terrible moral example, and he
probably did not judge fairly in disputes brought before him. He
needed large amounts of money to support his whoredoms resulting in
additional taxation . In addition, he probably practiced and engaged in
abominable rites such as human sacrifice, which were current in the
ancient American cultures.
8
And when he had reigned for the space of forty and two years the
people did rise up in rebellion against him;
and there began to be war again in the land, insomuch that Riplakish
was killed, and his descendants were driven out of the land.
Finally,
after 42 years of his tyranny, the people rebelled against him and he
was killed in the ensuing civil war. We are not told who
instigated this rebellion, or who became the new king. After the
death of Riplakish, all his family and relatives were driven out of
the land, probably meaning the greater land of Moron. Where did they
go? They probably establish another group and city outside the
influence of the new king.
9
And it came to pass after the space of many years, Morianton, (he being a descendant of Riplakish) gathered together an army of
outcasts, and went forth and gave battle unto the people; and he
gained power over many cities; and the war became exceedingly sore,
and did last for the space of many years; and he did gain power over
all the land, and did establish himself king over all the land.
Many
years later Morianton, who was one of this group of descendants of Riplakish
who had been driven out of the land, recruited an army of outcasts
from among these, and other outcasts, and attempted to retake Moron. The war went on for many years, with numerous
casualties. But gradually Morianton gained control over the land,
city by city, and region by region, until he finally defeated the old
king and assumed the position for himself.
10
And after that he had established himself king he did ease the
burden of the people, by which he did gain favor in the eyes of the people, and
they did anoint him to be their king.
Establishing
himself as king may have been a slow process, and it seems that at
first he didn't have the support of the people. But Morianton wisely
reduced the burden of his subjects by which means he gained their
favor. Finally, they officially anointed him as their king. One
would think that the new king, after Riplakish, would have eased the
burden of the people, but apparently he hadn't, and continued the
taxation and perhaps the slave labor.
11
And he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself because
of his many whoredoms;
wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord.
Morianton
was a just king, as far as the people were concerned. However he was
not a righteous king in the sense of his own morality. His adultery
and fornication were offensive to the Lord and he was cut off from
His presence.
12
And it came to pass that Morianton built up many cities, and the
people became exceedingly rich under his reign, both in buildings, and in gold and silver, and in raising
grain, and in flocks, and herds, and such things which had been
restored unto them.
Morianton
was responsible for constructing, or improving many cities in the
land. He promoted commerce and the people prospered under his rule;
in buildings (public and private?), in mining and accumulating gold
and silver, and in their agriculture (this was probably an
agricultural society). Things restored to them - what does this
mean? Possibly Morianton restored things that Riplakish or the
previous king had taken away.
13
And Morianton did live to an exceedingly great age, and then he
begat Kim;
and Kim did reign in the stead of his father; and he did reign eight
years, and his father died. And it came to pass that Kim did not
reign in righteousness, wherefore he was not favored of the Lord.
Morianton,
like many of the Jaredie kings, lived a long life. Apparently the
Lord blessed him with longevity, even though he was personally
wicked, because he had blessed and prospered the lives of his
subjects. In his old age he fathers Kim. When Kim is of age and
capable, Morianton anoints him king, and Kim reigns in his stead.
Another example of the youngest son assuming the monarchy. This
practice is known as ultimogeniture and although not as common as
primogeniture, is practiced in some cultures (see discussion in Wikipedia) Morianton
lives for another 8 years after Kim is anointed king, then dies.
Kim did not reign in righteousness. Apparently, he was worse than
Morianton, and as a result was not blessed or prospered by the Lord.
14
And his brother did rise up in rebellion against him, by which he did bring him into captivity; and he did remain in
captivity all his days; and he begat sons and daughters in captivity,
and in his old age he begat Levi; and he died.
Kim's
brother (probably an older brother) rebelled against him. War is not
mentioned, but it is probable that Kim was overthrown and taken
captive in battle. Kim was a captive (and possibly a slave) the rest
of his life (refer to commentary by Hugh Nibley in Ch. 7:7). As has
been customary among the Jaredites, Kim was allowed to maintain a
family, and fathered children while in captivity. In his old age he
fathered Levi (probably his youngest son), then died.
15
And it came to pass that Levi did serve in captivity after the death
of his father, for the space of forty and two years. And he did make war against the king of the land, by which he did
obtain unto himself the kingdom.
Levi
was kept in captivity for an additional 42 years following the death of Kim. This
would probably have also been the case with all the rest of Kim's family.
Somehow Levi was able to break away and accumulated an army. This
was probably done outside the king's domains, possibly in the
wilderness. Levi made war against the king, defeated him and his
army, and became king. We are not told who the king was or what
happened to him. He was probably a different one than Kim's brother
mentioned in verse 14. The brother of Kim who usurped the kingdom
would have likely been dead by now.
16
And after he had obtained unto himself the kingdom he did that which was right in the sight of the
Lord; and the people did prosper in the land; and he did live to a
good old age, and begat sons and daughters; and he also begat Corom,
whom he anointed king in his stead.
Levi
was a righteous king and was blessed of the Lord. How did he know to
be good? He certainly didn't have a good example in his father,
unless Kim repented during his captivity. But even someone raised in
an evil environment can choose righteousness if he follows the
promptings of the Lord's Spirit. The people prospered under Levi's
rule, and he was blessed with a long life. In his old age he fathered Corom who was anointed king in his place. Another example of the
youngest son.
17
And it came to pass that Corom did that which was good in the sight
of the Lord all his days; and he begat many sons and daughters; and
after he had seen many days he did pass away, even like unto the rest
of the earth; and Kish reigned in his stead.
Corom
(another example of mimation) was righteous all his long life and had a
large posterity. His son Kish reigned in his place (see genealogy in
chapter one).
18
And it came to pass that Kish passed away also, and Lib reigned in his stead.
Lib,
the son of Kish, assumes the throne, presumably on the death of Kish.
19
And it came to pass that Lib also did that which was good in the
sight of the Lord. And in the days of Lib the poisonous serpents were destroyed.
Wherefore they did go into the land southward, to hunt food for the
people of the land, for the land was covered with animals of the
forest. And Lib also himself became a great hunter.
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| Jaredite Statue Nicaragua |
20
And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place
where the sea divides the land.
The
people of Lib constructed a large city by the narrow neck of land.
This is an important geographical reference. The city was built by
the narrow neck, by a place where the sea divided the land. I
suggest that this place is on the shore of Lake Nicaragua where
Zapatera Island is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. Refer to blog on this subject.
21
And they did preserve the land southward for a wilderness, to get
game. And the whole face of the land northward was covered with inhabitants.
While
the entire area of the land north of the narrow neck (ie the lands of
Moron and Desolation) was covered with inhabitants, their dwellings,
and their cities, the land southward (or the land of Zarahemla of the later Nephites) was intentionally preserved as a wilderness for hunting.
This means that by royal decree, no Jaredite cities, villages, or habitations were
allowed in the land southwards (with the possible exception of
renegades or outcasts). As a result, there should be
no Jaredite (or Olmec era) ruins south of the narrow neck of land.
22
And they were exceedingly industrious, and they did buy and sell and
traffic one with another, that they might get gain.
During
the reign of Lib (and possibly other times as well), the Jaredites
were engaged in extensive manufacturing and commerce. This would
have involved community markets, traveling traders, the manufacture
of goods to be sold outside their communities, etc. Long distance
trade was common among pre-conquest peoples. This would imply that
they had developed a specialized culture with farmers, tradesmen,
artisans, merchants, etc. This verse, and the following verses, give
us a good indication of how advanced the Jaredite civilization had
become.
23
And they did work in all manner of ore, and they did make gold, and
silver, and iron, and brass, and all manner of metals; and they did
dig it out of the earth; wherefore, they did cast up mighty heaps of
earth to get ore, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of copper.
And they did work all manner of fine work.
They
were skill in the metallurgy of gold, silver, iron, copper, brass
(bronze?), and other metals. The scholars deny the existence of iron
and bronze in the pre-conquest Americas. However, I believe we can
trust the word of these historians. Iron and bronze tend to
decompose over a thousand year period in a tropical environment, which
may account for their absence in the archaeological record. They had the skill to find and
develop ore bodies, as well as to mine the ore. They left large waste
dumps near their mining operations and these should still be evident
today, although disguised by tropical vegetation. They had the skill
to manufacture many beautiful articles, probably speaking of
metalwork.
24
And they did have silks,
and fine-twined linen; and they did work all manner of cloth, that
they might clothe themselves from their nakedness.
They
possessed the skill and knowledge to manufacture all types of cloth
to be used for clothing. This included silk, linen, and other
unmentioned cloth. The knowledge to make silk required special
knowledge and skill.
The following is from the paper "Jaredite Silk." Silk (or silks) is mentioned
in the Book of Mormon in five separate places. Two of these are
Jaredite references (Ether 9:17; 10:24) and three Nephite (1 Ne.
13:7-8; Alma 1:29; Alma 4:6). The references in Ether and Alma imply
that the Jaredites and Nephites at least possessed silk garments, and
probably produced them.
These references have
generated criticism from critics of the Book of Mormon because silk
production was unknown except in China until after the time of
Christ. So the question naturally arises "how did Book of Mormon
peoples acquire this technology?"
If we assume the
Book of Mormon claim is correct and that these people actually did
have the knowledge and skill to manufacture silk fabric, what are the
implications of this assumption? In my opinion the possession of silk
implies that the Book of Mormon peoples had early contact with China.
Specifically, that the Jaredites passed through China during its
early history, crossed the Pacific Ocean, and landed on the western
coast of the new world. (the paper then discusses sericulture and its history)
There are a number of
silkworm moths which are native to the Americas which could have been
used by the ancient inhabitants to make silk if they were aware of
the process. John Sorenson mentions that some of the early Spanish
historians note the presence of a wild silkworm in Mesoamerica, and
that wild silk was spun and woven in certain areas (An Ancient
American Setting for the Book of Mormon, p. 232).
Now back to the Book of
Mormon. If silk were in fact produced by the ancient Jaredites ... what are the implications of this fact? First it implies
that the Jaredites had contact with the ancient Chinese (although it
is possible that they developed the process independently, this is
highly unlikely). Second, it implies that the Jaredites traveled
eastward to the Pacific, rather than the western Atlantic route.
Their Chinese contact
could have been a primary one, as they migrated eastward through
Asia. If this were the case, they would have been in China during its
earliest history and according to the history remained there for at
least four years before crossing the Pacific. They could have easily
acquired silk making skills during this period of contact, and taken
these skills with them to the new world. On the other hand, the
contact could have been through a secondary source such as Chinese
mariners who may have later crossed the Pacific bringing the secret
with them (such voyages have never been proven but are mentioned in
Chinese legend). My contention is that the knowledge was gained while
the Jaredites were in China.
25
And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth, both to
plow and to sow, to reap and to hoe, and also to thrash.
They
made all types of agricultural implements to assist in the
cultivation and harvesting of their produce. Some of these may have
been of their own invention, but most would have been similar to
those used in their homeland of Sumer.
26
And they did make all manner of tools with which they did work
their beasts.
These
tools would have included many devices to use in managing and
harnessing their animals, especially those used in the fields and for
construction. This verse may have special reference to the equipment they
used to work with the elephants, cureloms and cumoms.
27
And they did make all manner of weapons of war. And they did work
all manner of work of exceedingly curious workmanship.
They manufactured all
different types of weapons to use in their defense, and in their
wars. These were probably defensive in nature as no wars are mentioned during this time period. Curious
workmanship usually means "skilled" workmanship.
The Jaredite record
mentions the use of “weapons of war, ..shields, and breastplates,
and headplates” (Ether 15:15). The sword is the weapon most
mentioned at the time of the last battles. It was probably 3-4 feet
long as Coriantumr “leaned” on his sword to rest before killing
Shiz (Ether 15:30). Even women and children were armed and fought
during the final battles (Ether 15:15). The people of Limhi found
rusted swords and brass and copper breastplates among the debris of
the Jaredite destruction (Mos.8:11). A literal interpretation of
the scriptures would indicate that the Jaredites were the first
peoples on the American continent following the flood. As such, they
likely introduced the working of obsidian from Asia. Obsidian was
very useful in weaponry and for knives, and significant trade and
commerce for this product existed throughout Central America.
It is uncertain whether
the Jaredites used the bow and arrow. It is not mentioned in the
Jaredite record, and Olmec/Maya art work, while illustrating the use
of the spear, knife, ax and club, does not illustrate the bow.
However, pre-Classic sites, pre-dating Nephite times, have yielded
small lightweight points which may have been used as arrow heads.
At
the time of the conquest, the native Americans were using a wooden
club (macuahuitl-the Aztec name) which the Spaniards called a sword.
It had a groove cut into each side into which obsidian blades were
fastened. It was so sharp and effective that it could behead a horse
in one blow. They also used the atlatl or spear thrower which
increased the range and velocity of a spear.
28
And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more
prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the
Lord had spoken it.
Moroni,
speaking as a historian, who was highly qualified to make such an
assessment, doesn’t exclude his own people when he observes "and
never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more
prospered by the hand of the Lord" (Ether 10:28). They were a
very advanced culture and prospered because of their ingenuity and
the blessings of the Lord. We remember the Lord's promise to them:
“And
there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up
unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth.” (Chapter 1:43)
29
And it came to pass that Lib did live many years, and begat sons and
daughters; and he also begat Hearthom.
Lib
had a long life and a large posterity. His son Hearthom was
apparently the last son born in his old age. Another example of the
youngest son inheriting the throne.
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| Captives before king Darius |
When
Hearthom had ruled for 24 yrs he was dethroned. I assume that this
would have been in a battle or civil war. We are not given any
details about it. He was captured and served the rest of his life in
slavery. As did his son Heth, and grandson Aaron, and great grandson
Amnigaddah, and great great grandson Coriantum. So we had five generations of
the royal line in captivity. It also was probably a period of peace
under the opposing line of kings.
31
And he begat Heth, and Heth lived in captivity all his days. And
Heth begat Aaron, and Aaron dwelt in captivity all his days; and he
begat Amnigaddah, and Amnigaddah also dwelt in captivity all his
days; and he begat Coriantum, and Coriantum dwelt in captivity all
his days; and he begat Com.
32
And it came to pass that Com drew away the half of the kingdom. And
he reigned over the half of the kingdom forty and two years; and he
went to battle against the king, Amgid, and they fought for the space
of many years, during which time Com gained power over Amgid, and
obtained power over the remainder of the kingdom.
Finally,
Com, the son of Coriantum, broke free of his slavery and enticed half
the population to follow him. We are not told whether this was
through warfare or the peaceful succession of that portion of the population. He assumed the rule over that portion of the land and ruled as king there for 42 years. Following this time, he attacked his
opposing king and the war rages on for a long period of time.
Finally, Com apparently defeated Amgid, the opposing king, and “gained
power over him” whatever that means. Com then assumed control of
all the kingdom. Amgid was apparently the last of the line of rival
kings who had taken control during the reign of Hearthrom.
33
And in the days of Com there began to be robbers in the land; and
they adopted the old plans, and administered oaths after the manner of the
ancients, and sought again to destroy the kingdom.
At
this time another secret society was formed using the ancient rites
and oaths that were available in their histories. Their intent
was to overthrow the king. Remember Moroni's warning about these
combinations that “whoso
buildeth [them] up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands,
nations, and countries (Ch. 8:25).”
34
Now Com did fight against them much; nevertheless, he did not prevail against them.
Apparently
Com was a righteous man (as we shall see in the next chapter) and
tried to root out these evil conspirators, but was unsuccessful. They
were hidden and could not be discovered.
