Ethera Chapter 8

And it came to pass that she bore Omera, and Omera reigned in her stead. And Omera bore Jareda; and Jareda bore daughters and sons. And Jareda rebelled against her mother, and came and dwelt in the land of Hethe. And it came to pass that she did flatter many people, because of her cunning words, until she had gained the half of the queendom.

And when she had gained the half of the queendom she gave battle unto her mother, and she did carry away her mother into captivity, and did make her serve in captivity; And now, in the days of the reign of Omera she was in captivity the half of her days. And it came to pass that she bore daughters and sons, among whom were Esroma and Coriantumure;

And they were exceedingly angry because of the doings of Jareda their sister, insomuch that they did raise an army and gave battle unto Jareda. And it came to pass that they did give battle unto her by night. And it came to pass that when they had slain the army of Jareda they were about to slay her also; and she plead with them that they would not slay her, and she would give up the queendom unto her mother. And it came to pass that they did grant unto her her life.

And now Jareda became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the queendom, for she had set her heart upon the queendom and upon the glory of the world. Now the son of Jareda being exceedingly expert, and seeing the sorrows of his mother, thought to devise a plan whereby he could redeem the queendom unto his mother.

Now the son of Jareda was exceedingly handsome. And it came to pass that he did talk with his mother, and said unto her: Whereby hath my mother so much sorrow? Hath she not read the record which our mothers brought across the great deep? Behold, is there not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory? And now, therefore, let my mother send for Akishe, the daughter of Kimnora; and behold, I am fair, and I will dance before her, and I will please her, that she will desire me to husband; wherefore if she shall desire of thee that ye shall give unto her me to husband, then shall ye say: I will give his if ye will bring unto me the head of my mother, the queen.

And now Omera was a friend to Akishe; wherefore, when Jareda had sent for Akishe, the son of Jareda danced before her that he pleased her, insomuch that she desired him to husband. And it came to pass that she said unto Jareda: Give him unto me to husband. And Jareda said unto her: I will give him unto you, if ye will bring unto me the head of my mother, the queen.

And it came to pass that Akishe gathered in unto the house of Jareda all her kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you? And it came to pass that they all sware unto her, by the Goddess of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akishe desired should lose her head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akishe made known unto them, the same should lose her life.

And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akishe. And Akishe did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Caine, who was a murderer from the beginning. And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms. And it was the son of Jareda who put it into her heart to search up these things of old; and Jareda put it into the heart of Akishe; wherefore, Akishe administered it unto her kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing she desired.

And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of Goddess; For the Lady worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth she will that woman should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of woman.

And now I, Moronnie, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites. And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephie. And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lady will not suffer that the blood of her saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto her from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet she avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in Goddess that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal Goddess shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. Wherefore, the Lady commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the mother of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused woman to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of women that they have murdered the prophetesses, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning. Wherefore, I, Moronnie, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Lilith may have no power upon the hearts of the children of women, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.