Shiblom ascended as a Jaredite monarch following Com, his father, during a period that was marked by heightened turbulence and moral decline within the Jaredite civilization. His rule was characterized by severe internal strife, with his own brother instigating violent uprisings against him, underscoring the state of division within the kingdom (Ether 11:4). The atmosphere during Shiblom’s tenure was not only politically chaotic but spiritually dark as prophets who foretold of looming calamities were ruthlessly persecuted and killed under his brother’s incitement (Ether 11:5).
The kingdom under Shiblom suffered from calamities and great destruction due to the people’s iniquities and their disregard for prophetic warnings. Natural disasters in the form of famines and pestilences compounded the civil unrest, contributing to a period of devastation unmatched in Jaredite history (Ether 11:6-8). Despite the grim conditions, there was a moment when the people began to repent, yet it was during these trying times that Shiblom met his demise, killed amidst the turmoil that plagued his reign. His passing led to the captivity of his heir, Seth, who spent the entirety of his life in bondage (Ether 11:9). Shiblom’s rule, thus, stands as a testament to the perils of societal discord and the heavy toll of rejecting divine counsel.