Mormon’s catalogue of Noah’s sins continues with his construction projects. It appears that much of the taxes of the people went for the construction of what might be called public building projects. Mormon would argue that they benefited Noah and perhaps the priests, but they were the kinds of sumptuous building projects that characterize the rise of important cities in Mesoamerica. Along with the other issues Mormon points out, we can read between the lines and see Noah adopting the principles and trappings of the surrounding cultures. It is possible that it is just this kind of prosperity signaling that Zeniff had seen in the former city of Nephi when he saw that there was much good there and that the people not only should not be destroyed, but also that Zeniff and others might move there (Mosiah 9:1–2).
For many people, these building projects would have been signs of prosperity and a city that was increasing in wealth and influence. Public projects have been used for such purposes throughout history. Mormon has no desire to give them any semblance of good. Contrast this description with Zeniff’s statement that “we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls … of the city of Lehi-Nephi and the city of Shilom.” Zeniff also built, but it is Noah’s buildings that are described as part of his wickedness.
Mormon is painting his own picture of Noah and Noah’s reign, and Mormon makes certain that his readers do not have a good opinion of king Noah. That attitude will be justified as we learn more of Noah’s story, but it does contrast with what must have been written on the plates by a scribe in the employ of King Noah.