Book of Mormon Lesson
# 46—Ether 7–15
By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled
Introduction
Although the reading
this week covers the last part of Ether, the lesson concentrates on Ether 12 and
13. Ether 12 being mostly Moroni’s teachings and Ether 13, Ether’s prophecies. I
once did a table of all the Jaredites kings and their approximate times,
locations, and families. Just so I could try to keep track. There must be a
good reason these convoluted feuds are included in the Book of Ether,
especially given that Moroni was on his own, hauling the plates as he tried to
escape the Lamanites, and desperately trying to finish what the Lord had
commanded him to do, so that we could have the fullness of the Gospel. In a way
the Book of Ether is a precis of the Book of Mormon up until the Savior’s visit
in 3rd Nephi. And maybe on one level at least, it serves to remind us how easy
it is to let go of the iron rod and drift away into the mists of darkness. Letting
go of the iron rod is all about losing faith, and that leads to Moroni’s great
discourse on faith in chapter 12. That in turn leads to the discussion on
weakness. Perhaps, then, this week’s reading is all about how to strengthen our
faith—a continual process.
Perhaps very apt is
this quote from Elder Holland:
Preparatory faith is formed by experiences in the past—by the known,
which provides a basis for belief. But redemptive faith must often be exercised
toward experiences in the future—the unknown, which provides an opportunity for
the miraculous. Exacting faith, mountain-moving faith, faith like that of the
brother of Jared, precedes the miracle and the knowledge. He had to believe before
God spoke. He had to act before the ability to complete that action was
apparent. He had to commit to the complete experience in advance of even the
first segment of its realization. Faith is to agree unconditionally—and in
advance—to whatever conditions God may require in both the near and distant
future (Christ and the New Covenant [1997],
18–19).
That last statement “Faith
is to agree unconditionally—and in advance—to whatever conditions God may
require in both the near and distant future” is one that needs pondering.
First, though, we
need to look at Mosiah 8:8–9, 12, 19; 28:17–19 to find out just what we are reading. Granted we
have just come from witnessing the entire destruction of the Nephites, but when
Mosiah translated this record, it must have been sobering for the people in
Zarahemla to learn of the destruction of a whole nation descended from their
ancestors.
1. Moroni explains
the importance of faith.
In Ether 6 thru 11,
the sad parade of the continuing rise and fall of the Jaredites is chronicled.
And, as I said before, in my opinion this leads to Moroni talking about faith. Ether
was a great prophet. I have images of him living in a cave and coming among the
Jaredites like John the Baptist, almost like a wild man, but with crucial
messages for his people. In verse 4, Ether talks about an “anchor to the souls
of man.” Pres. Hinckley elaborates:
We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great
accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and
gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a
measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the polar
star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the
Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our
immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the
very focus of our faith” (Ensign, May
2002, 90).
Moroni now builds on
Ether’s prophecies and teaches us what the Spirit has taught him about faith. There
are many modern examples of trials of faith; General Authorities often include
them in their General Conference addresses, but what do we—you and I—learn from
these. Is it faith promoting, or does it leave us thinking why doesn’t the Lord
bless me like He did those people? Maybe the trial of faith is accepting that
the Lord has a plan and that we should seek to fall in with His plan, not going
with one of our own?
Elder Quentin R. Cook
gave a moving talk titled “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time,” back in 2008.
Here is a quote:
We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are
suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on
the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result
in rain. Regardless of the challenges, trials, and hardships we endure, the
reassuring doctrine of the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ includes Alma’s
teaching that the Savior would take upon Him our infirmities and “succor his
people according to their infirmities.”[1]
Whatever the outcome
of our trials, the Lord is always there to comfort us.
2. The Lord teaches
Moroni that He gives us weakness that we may be humble. Ether 12:23–41.
Here are a couple of
quotes from Elder Maxwell on weakness:
When we read in the scriptures of man’s “weakness,” this term includes
the generic but necessary weakness inherent in the general human condition in which
the flesh has such an incessant impact upon the spirit (see Ether 12:28–29).
Weakness likewise includes, however, our specific, individual weaknesses, which
we are expected to overcome (see D&C 66:3; Jacob 4:7). Life has a way of
exposing these weaknesses” (Lord,
Increase Our Faith [1994], 84).
When we are unduly impatient with an omniscient God’s timing, we really
are suggesting that we know what is best. Strange, isn’t it—we who wear
wristwatches seek to counsel Him who oversees cosmic clocks and calendars. Because
God wants us to come home after having become more like Him and His Son, part
of this developmental process, of necessity, consists of showing unto us our
weaknesses. Hence, if we have ultimate hope we will be submissive because, with
His help, those weaknesses can even become strengths (see Ether 12:27). It is not
an easy thing, however, to be shown one’s weaknesses, as these are regularly
demonstrated by life’s circumstances. Nevertheless, this is part of coming unto
Christ, and it is a vital, if painful, part of God’s plan of happiness” (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 63).
Above all, though, we
need to “seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written” (Ether
12:41). As President Nelson told us in the last conference,
What will you and I be able to endure as we focus on the joy that is
“set before” us? What repenting will then be possible? What weakness will
become a strength? What chastening will become a blessing? What
disappointments, even tragedies, will turn to our good? And what
challenging service to the Lord will we be able to give?
3. Moroni records
Ether’s prophecies concerning the promised land. Ether 13:1–12.
Now it is up to
Moroni to chronicle the destruction of the Jaredites, but before doing so he
gives us what must have been a source of joy and hope to him—the prophecies of
the New Jerusalem and the fulfilment of the plan of salvation. What do these
verses tell us about the Old Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem, and the City of
Enoch? Can we see in this a metaphor for our own lives? And here we have that
phrase again “washed in the blood of the Lamb” that we talked about a couple of
weeks ago. As always, prophets, in this case Moroni, bear witness of the
redemptive power of the Atonement.
4. War rages
throughout the land. The Jaredite civilization is destroyed. Ether 13:13–15:34.
The remaining
chapters of Ether contain the tortuous battle, eventually between Coriantumr
and Shiz. It is hard to imagine that a conflict between two leaders could bring
about the destruction of millions. Interestingly, we know that Coriantumr alone
was left alive at the end, but we don’t know what happened to Ether, who witnessed
it. All we have is the poignant last words, “Whether the Lord will that I be
translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth
not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen” (Ether 15:34).
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