When Zeniff grew old, he conferred his kingdom on one of his sons; a man named Noah. Unfortunately for the people of Nephi and Shilom, Noah was not the decent man his father was. He was selfish and wicked and led his people into wickedness by political double-speak, what the Book of Mormon calls flattering words. My words can't describe this wicked man as completely as the scriptural account; therefore, here is the Book of Mormon account of the early days of King Noah's reign, along with pre-Colombian archaeological findings from Kaminaljuyu ~ the City of Nephi:
For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness. And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed . . . And all this did he take to support himself, and his wives and his concubines; and also his priests, and their wives and their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom.
For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts. Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity. Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.
And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things . . . And he also built him a spacious palace, and a throne in the midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood and was ornamented with gold and silver and with precious things.
And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass. And the seats which were set apart for the high priests, which were above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure gold; and he caused a breastwork to be built before them, that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to his people.
And it came to pass that he built a tower near the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the land of Shemlon, which was possessed by the Lamanites; and he could even look over all the land round about. And it came to pass that he caused many buildings to be built in the land Shilom; and he caused a great tower to be built on the hill north of the land Shilom, . . . thus he did do with the riches which he obtained by the taxation of his people.
And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his concubines; and so did also his priests spend their time with harlots. And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in the land; and he built wine-presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a wine-bibber, and also his people. (Mosiah 11: 2-15)
Like all societies that are burdened down with taxes to support a profligate bureaucracy, the people of King Noah were headed for disaster. When a wicked people refuses to repent, God withdraws His divine protection and allows the people to experience the natural consequences of their own poor choices. But before He does so, He always warns them. That this warning came to Noah will be our discussion tomorrow on the Couch.
Copyright August 2013, Gebara Education
Pictures:
Zeniff ill (King Noah with dark hair to the right) from www.lds.org
All archaeological findings shown above are from the ruins of Kaminaljuyu:
Figurine of a naked woman from www.wikipedia.com
Stela from www.ldsarchareology.com
City ruins from www.vayas.net
Elaborate carvings on walls from www.wordomination.com
Tower from www.guada-culture.blogspot.com
Mug with elaborate carvings from www.mundochapin.com
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