Ether 10:5–7 describes the reign of Riplakish. Note how his wickedness was duplicated by wicked King Noah (see Mosiah 11). Note the following characteristics of both kings:
Riplakish (Ether 10) | Characteristics | Noah (Mosiah 11) |
v. 5 | Very immoral | v. 2 |
v. 5 | Taxed the people heavily | v. 3 |
v. 6 | Built spacious buildings | v. 8 |
v. 7 | Glutted himself on the work of others | v. 6 |
v. 8 | Killed by his own people | Mosiah 19:20 |
Is it any wonder that Isaiah warned his people, and us as well, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err”? (Isaiah 9:16, 2 Nephi 19:16). The righteous King Mosiah later commanded his people not to have kings because “the sins of many people have been caused by the iniquities of their kings” (Mosiah 29:31).
In Ether 14:2 we are told that a man defended his “wives.” It is not known if the Lord allowed the Jaredites plural wives, but at least in the case of Riplakish we know the practice was abused.