“There is one tale of intrigue in the book of Ether that presents very ancient and widespread (though but recently discovered) parallels. That is the story of Jared’s daughter … .
“Historically, the whole point of this story is that it is highly unoriginal. It is supposed to be… .
“The thing to note especially is that there actually seems to have been a succession rite of great antiquity that followed this pattern. … The episode of the dancing princess is at all times essentially a ritual, and the name of Salome (in reference to Herodias’ daughter) is perhaps no accident, for her story is anything but unique” (Nibley, Lehi in the Desert, 212).