The Book of Mormon

Ether 10:5

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~1400–1000 BC

1830 Edition

And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men’s shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings.

Influences

Luke 11:46 (KJV)
And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

Simple English

Riplakish did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight. He had many wives and concubines. He put heavy burdens on the people. He made them pay high taxes. With the taxes he built many large buildings.

Paraphrase

Riplakish didn’t do what was right in the Lord’s eyes. He took many wives and concubines. He put crushing burdens on his people—taxing them heavily so he could build extravagant palaces.

Notes

10:5-8

Brent Metcalfe lists 12 similarities between the stories of the Nephite King Noah and the Jaredite King Riplakish.

He writes, "Some of these parallels are unique to these kings. Although the Book of Mormon refers generally to taxation (Mosiah 2:14; 7:15) and polygamy (Jacob 1:15; 2:23-25; Mosiah 11:4b), Noah and Riplakish are the only monarchs identified as polygamists and taxers, and they alone construct 'spacious buildings.' Ten of the twelve comparisons also follow the same sequence. The two narratives share common phrases such as 'many wives and concubines.' 'spacious buildings.' and 'all manner of fine work[manship].' And while the details of Noah's life cover five chapters in Mosiah, Riplakish's biography comprises six verses in Ether. Everything we know about the Jaredite ruler bears an analogue to the corrupt Nephite king. These mirrorings suggest that one narrative may depend on the other, and that only, or perhaps neither, represents a factual account of historical events." -Brent Lee Metcalfe, Apologetic and Critical Assumptions About Book of Mormon Historicity, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol, 26, no. 3 (Fall 1993): p. 170.