“The Destruction of the Jaredites,” Friend, June 1990, 18
The Destruction of the Jaredites
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The Jaredites grew in number and became rich. They chose a king to be their leader. Ether 6:18, 22–28
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Many years passed. The Jaredites became wicked. The Lord sent prophets to tell them that they would be destroyed if they did not repent. Ether 11:1
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The people would not listen to the prophets. They tried to kill them. Ether 11:2
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There were wars and famines in the land. Many Jaredites died. Ether 11:7
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The Lord sent another prophet, named Ether. Ether preached from morning until evening. He told the Jaredites to believe in God and to repent. Ether 12:2–3
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Ether told the Jaredites that if they would believe in God, they would someday live in a better world with Heavenly Father. Ether 12:4
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Ether told the Jaredites many wonderful things, but they did not believe him. They made him leave their city. Ether 12:5, Ether 13:13
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Ether hid in a hole in a rock during the day so that he would not be killed. At night he went out and saw what should happen to the people. Ether 13:13
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Ether finished writing the history of the Jaredites while he was hiding. Ether 13:14
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Coriantumr was a wicked Jaredite king. The Lord sent Ether to tell Coriantumr to repent or he would live to see all his people killed. Ether 13:16–17, Ether 20–21
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Coriantumr and his people would not repent. Coriantumr tried to have Ether killed, but Ether ran and hid in the rock. Ether 13:22
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The people were so wicked that a curse came upon the land. They could not lay down their tools or swords because by the next day the objects would be gone. Ether 14:1
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All the Jaredites were fighting, even the women and children. Coriantumr led one army. Another man, named Shiz, led the other army. Ether 14:19–20, Ether 15:15
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Coriantumr and Shiz were both wicked men. The Spirit of the Lord had left the Jaredite people because of their great wickedness. Satan had full power over them. Ether 15:19
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The Jaredites fought until Coriantumr and Shiz were the only ones left. When Shiz fainted from losing so much blood, Coriantumr cut off his head. Ether 15:27–30
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Ether’s prophecy came true. Coriantumr was the last Jaredite alive. Later he was found by the people of Zarahemla. Omni 1:20–21
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Ether finished writing the history of the Jaredites. They had been destroyed because of their wickedness. The Jaredite records were later found by the Nephites. Ether 15:33
Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett