The people of Akish were the oath-bound society that Akish built among the Jaredites. Akish gathered his kinsfolk and bound them by oath to do whatever he desired, on pain of death, forming a secret combination after the order handed down from of old (Ether 8:13-18). With this group’s support, he had his confederates take the head of his father-in-law, Jared, as Jared sat upon his throne giving audience, and Akish reigned in his stead (Ether 9:5).
The secret society spread until it had corrupted the hearts of all the people. Akish’s people were desirous for gain as Akish was desirous for power, and Akish’s sons offered them money, drawing away the greater part of the people after them (Ether 9:11).
War then broke out between the sons of Akish and Akish, lasting many years, until nearly all the people of the kingdom were destroyed. Only thirty survived, along with those who had fled with the house of Omer (Ether 9:12).
Moroni interrupted the narrative of the Akish episode to address future Gentile readers directly, warning that any nation which allows secret combinations to spread until they hold power will be destroyed, and commanding readers to awaken to the danger such groups pose (Ether 8:20-25). Moroni states that the devil, the father of all lies, is the architect of such combinations, and that their stated aim is to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries (Ether 8:25). This editorial aside is the stated reason the account is preserved in the record.