Ether 10:6
1830 Edition
And he did erect him an exceeding beautiful throne, and he did build many prisons, and whoso would not be subject unto taxes, he did cast into prison; and whoso were not able to pay taxes, he did cast into prison; and he did cause that they should labor continually for their support; and whoso refused to labor, he did cause to be put to death;
Changes
Simple English
He built a beautiful throne for himself. He built many prisons. If people would not pay taxes, he put them in prison. If people could not pay taxes, he put them in prison. He made them work all the time to support themselves. If anyone refused to work, he had them killed.
Paraphrase
He built himself a magnificent throne and many prisons. Anyone who wouldn’t pay taxes got thrown in prison. Anyone who couldn’t pay taxes got thrown in prison. He forced them to work constantly just to survive. Anyone who refused to work was executed.
Notes
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.