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