Heth and his family having perished in the famine (Ether 9:30), Shez, a descendant of Heth, succeeded him as head of the government. The people were in a deplorable condition. Their number had been reduced by famine, pestilence, and emigration. The arable land was just beginning to emerge from a condition of desolation, and pioneer work had to be done over again. The cattle had perished. Under the circumstances, Shez remembering the destruction wrought and the mercy and power of God in bringing Jared and his Brother across the great Deep, undertook to restore the people to normal activities and prosperity. As he was in earnest to succeed, he kept near to the Lord, and led a life of righteousness both public and private. There is no other sure way to success.
And yet, he had great sorrow in seeing his firstborn, also named Shez, gathering up wealth for himself, and then heading a rebellion, in which he, the wayward son, was assassinated by a robber who turned out to be one of his partners in crime.
After this the people enjoyed a season of peace. Cities were built, and the population multiplied. Shez lived to an exceeding old age.