Cycles of Great Prosperity and Tragic Wickedness

Church Educational System

Notice in Ether 9:5–12 that the rise of secret combinations again led to the destruction of many people. Verses 15–35 show a pattern that is repeated many times throughout the Book of Mormon:

  1. The people prospered exceedingly during the righteous reigns of Emer and Coriantum (see verses 15–25).
  2. The people began to join together in secret combinations and turn to wickedness under the reign of Heth (see verses 26–27).
  3. The Lord sent prophets to warn the people of their great wickedness (see verse 28).
  4. The people of Heth rejected the prophets (see verse 29).
  5. The judgments of God fell upon the people (see verses 30–33).
  6. The people humbled themselves and repented, and the Lord again blessed them (see verses 34–35).

In the midst of these cycles of prosperity and wickedness, the Jaredites demonstrated that a people can be wealthy and remain righteous. It seems that the Jaredites were able to remain in a condition of righteousness and prosperity for over 100 years (see verses 15–25). King Emer was even righteous enough to see the Lord (see verse 22). For a diagram depicting the pride cycle, refer to “The Cycle of Righteousness and Wickedness” in the appendix (page 414).

  1. The people prospered exceedingly during the righteous reigns of Emer and Coriantum (see verses 15–25).
  2. The people began to join together in secret combinations and turn to wickedness under the reign of Heth (see verses 26–27).
  3. The Lord sent prophets to warn the people of their great wickedness (see verse 28).
  4. The people of Heth rejected the prophets (see verse 29).
  5. The judgments of God fell upon the people (see verses 30–33).
  6. The people humbled themselves and repented, and the Lord again blessed them (see verses 34–35).

Book of Mormon Student Manual (2009 Edition)

References