What may be the most impressive aspect of this statement by the brother of Jared is the quick perceptiveness that only comes through the Spirit. He did not need to think about the proposition, ruminate over the possibilities, and contemplate the implications before giving his opinion. His spiritual eyesight was 20-20 or better. He immediately knew that a monarchial form of government was a bad idea. He could see trouble ahead while his whole family was completely oblivious to the danger. This is the way of the prophets. Their ideas are not popular. Their counsel often seems illogical to the spiritually near-sighted who can’t see the end of the trail because they are so focused on the fork in the road.
The problem with a Monarchy is the great potential for abuse. While the Book of Mormon records the history of several righteous kings: Nephi, Benjamin, Mosiah, and others, these men were exceptions to the rule. The general rule is that less righteous, or frankly wicked, men eventually rise to power only to make the people suffer. As Mosiah says, because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you (Mosiah 29:16). Therefore, the prophets were always leery of establishing a government of kings. Nephi was faced with a people who looked up to them as their leader, And it came to pass that they would that I should be their king. But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king; nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my power (2 Nephi 5:18). In the Old Testament, we read that when the Israelites asked the prophet Samuel for a king so that they could be like all the other nations in the land, the Lord replied, Hearken unto the voice of the people…for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them (1 Sam 8:7). The Israelites and the Jaredites would have benefited most if they had the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev 19:16) as their king, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words (2 Nephi 10:14).