Orihah is successful because he follows the promise of the land. He “did walk humbly before the Lord,” and therefore “the people began to prosper, and they became exceedingly rich.” In the archaeological history, this is a little early to compare the Jaredite riches with the great Olmec cultures. Nevertheless, they could have easily become comparatively rich. The centralization of government over a reasonable population and work force has long been the historical means of improving the social conditions of that population. Kings arise because they are useful, not because people have nothing else to do with their time.
Textual: There is no chapter break at this point in the 1830 edition.