Ether 10

Just a couple of brief thoughts this morning.  Riplakish did not do what was right in the sight of God and Moroni comments -

"...he did afflict the people with his whoredoms and abominations."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:7)

Which again suggests that wickedness was never happiness.  I also noted that Riplakish -

"...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."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:5)

Under such conditions, the people rebelled and Morianton -

"...established himself king he did ease the burden of the people, by which he did gain favor in the eyes of the people, and they did anoint him to be their king.
11 And he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord.
12 And it came to pass that Morianton built up many cities, and the people became exceedingly rich under his reign, both in buildings, and in gold and silver, and in raising grain, and in flocks, and herds, and such things which had been restored unto them."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:10 - 12)

I note that even though Morianton did not do that which was right in the sight of God, he did ease the burden of the people and thus they experience prosperity.

But when the king (Lib) and people were righteous -

"...never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord..."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:28)