Ether 14:1-31

Chapter 14

The iniquity of the people brings a curse upon the land—Coriantumr engages in warfare against Gilead, then Lib, and then Shiz—Blood and carnage cover the land.

Because of the wickedness of the people, a curse spread across the land. If a person put up a tool or sword, it couldn’t be found on the morrow. “And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord” (Helaman 13:18).

They began to hold on to their swords with their right hand. He would do this to defend his property and family.

Two years after Coriantumr killed Shared in battle, his brother rose up and attacked. He was defeated by Coriantumr and chased into the wilderness.

The battle continued in the wilderness. Thousands died. Coriantumr laid siege in the wilderness. The brother of Shared went out at night and killed part of Coriantumr’s army. It appears they were in a drunken stupor. Shared continued on to the land of Moron and placed himself upon Coriantumr’s throne.

Coriantumr and his army lived in the wilderness for two years. During that time, he strengthened his army.

Moroni then tells us the brother of Shared is named Gilead. During that time, Gilead also strengthened his army through the secret combinations. Then, he was murdered by his high priest as he sat on the throne. While the high priest escaped, Lib killed him and took over the kingdom. Moroni describes him as “a man of great stature, more than any other man among all the people” (Ether 14:10).

During the first year of Lib’s reign, Coriantumr attacked the land of Moron. He and Lib fought and Lib wounded the arm of Coriantumr. Even so, his army continued the attack, forcing Lib to flee to the seashore.

Lib attacked Coriantumr’s army and fled back into the wilderness of Akish. Coriantumr’s army continued to withdraw to the plains of Agosh. Coriantumr had taken all his people with him. The battle continued there and Coriantumr killed Lib. Lib’s brother, Shiz, took over the army and attacked Coriantumr. He forced Coriantumr’s army to retreat.

While Shiz was pursuing Coriantumr, he burned many cities, killing women and children. Because of his brutality, the people asked “Who can stand before the army of Shiz?” (Ether 14:17).

The people began to flock towards the armies. Some fled to Shiz, others fled to Coriantum.

This devastating war of bloodshed and carnage let the land strewn with dead bodies. “And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers [HEB ravines], shall they fall that are slain with the sword” (Ezekiel 35:8). They didn’t bury the dead because the battles were so swift, no one stayed behind. The stench of death spread throughout the land.

Shiz continued to pursue Coriantumr. He had sworn to avenge his brother’s death by Coriantumr’s hand; however, the word of the Lord came to Ether, telling him Coriantumr would not die by the sword. “And thus we see that the Lord did visit them in the fulness of his wrath, and their wickedness and abominations had prepared a way for their everlasting destruction” (Ether 14:25).

Coriantumr was chased to the seashore, where he battled the army of Shiz for three days. The destruction was terrible among the armies of Shiz. People became frightened and fled from Coriantumr’s army to the land of Corihor. There, they pitched their tents in that valley.

Coriantumr’s army went to the valley of Shurr and pitched their tents there. He sounded a trumpet calling the armies of Shiz to battle.

“Now polarization had reached the critical stage: ‘And thus we see that the Lord . . . had prepared a way for their everlasting destruction’ (Ether 14:25), says Moroni, looking straight at us. As the people of Shiz retreated, they ‘swept off the inhabitants before them, all that would not join them’ (Ether 14:27). Meanwhile, ‘Coriantumr did gather his armies together upon the hill Comner, and did sound a trumpet unto the armies of Shiz to invite them forth to battle’ (Ether 14:28), suggesting the formal set battles of epic literature and the Middle Ages, as ‘polarized’ as a chess game.”[1]

The fight continued. Shiz attacked Coriantumr and wounded him so severely, he was believed to have died. Seeing the massive loss of life, Shiz commanded his people to withdraw back to their camp.

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[1] The Prophetic Book of Mormon, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.

Ether 13:23-31

The war continued. Shared attacked Coriantumr, defeating him and bringing him into captivity. Four years later, the sons of Coriantumr defeated Shared and released their father from captivity.

As the war continued, the government broke down. Armies came together and fought for whatever their band desired. As it had been in the past, the robbers spread wickedness throughout the land.

Coriantumr, angry with Shared, led his army into battle against him. Coriantumr defeated Shared in Gilgal. Shared retreated to the plains of Heshlon. The battle resumed on the plains of Heshlon. Coriantumr drove Shared back to Gilgal, killing him there.

Coriantumr was wounded in the battle with Shared and withdrew for two years. During that time, war and bloodshed continued throughout the land.

Ether 13:15-22

Ether had been cast out of Jaredite society. In that same year, war broke out. They desired to destroy Coriantumr. “Then the thing became a free-for-all, with ‘many who rose up, who were mighty men’ (Ether 13:15), all zeroing in on King Coriantumr. But he was a great survivor—he knew all the tricks, and he kept afloat while people around him died like flies.”[1]

Coriantumr was an expert in the art of war, so he was prepared to give battle to his attacking enemies. He refused to repent, nor did the peoples of his enemies. “In view of the fact that the book of Ether, speaking only of the Jaredites, notes that ‘there were none of the fair sons and daughters upon the face of the whole earth who repented of their sins’ (Ether 13:17), it would seem that the common ‘whole earth’ (kol ha-aretz) of the Old Testament need not always be taken to mean the entire globe.”[2]

During the first year when Ether dwelt in the cave, many died in the wars led by secret combinations fighting Coriantumr.

After a year went by, Ether was commanded to go to Coriantumr and prophesy that, if they would repent, the Lord would give him his kingdom and spare the people. If he and his people failed to repent, all except Coriantumr would die, and he would live to see the fulfillment of his prophecies of another people inheriting this land. “And that the Lord God would send or bring forth another people to possess the land, by his power, after the manner by which he brought their fathers” (Ether 11:21).

He would see the entire destruction of his people and he would be buried by those who had been brought to this land.

“And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah₁, there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.

“And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.

“It also spake a few words concerning his fathers. And his first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward” (Omni 1:20-22).

“We usually think of the Jaredite nation as being completely annihilated in the final battle between the armies of Coriantumr and Shiz (see Ether 15). However, the prophecy of Ether states that all of Coriantumr’s household would be destroyed if he did not repent (see Ether 13:20–21), which does not necessarily mean all of the descendants of the original Jaredite colonization party. It is entirely conceivable that one or more groups had broken away from the main Jaredite colony and survived outside of the record describing the downfall of the Coriantumr and Shiz camps. In fact, Hugh Nibley has argued for some kind of interaction and influence between the Jaredite and Lehite groups because of the continuance of such Jaredite names as Korihor (see Alma 30; Ether 7:3) and Coriantumr (see Helaman 1:15) in Nephite times (see Nibley, Lehi in the Desert; The World of the Jaredites; There Were Jaredites, 245).”[3]

They refused to repent and the wars continued. They attempted to kill Ether, but he fled and his in his cave. “The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul” (Proverbs 29:10).

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[1] The Prophetic Book of Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute.

[2] Lehi in the Desert, Chapter 2 – Departure, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] A Few Thoughts From a Believing DNA Scientist, John M. Butler, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Volume 13, Number 1, 2003: 36-37.

Ether 13:11-14

After speaking about the New Jerusalem, Moroni tells us the Jerusalem of old will be blessed “for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb” (Ether 13:11).

Speaking of the lost ten tribes, they will be gather in form “the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries”(Ether 13:11).  “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers” (Jeremiah 3:18).

“But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers” (Jeremiah 16:15).

“After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north” (D&C 110:11).

“And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord; and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves; and they shall smite the rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence” (D&C 133:26).

All will then partake in the fulfilling of God’s covenant made with Abraham. When these things occur, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.

“And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (1 Nephi 13:42).

“Graft in the branches; begin at the last that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time” (Jacob 5:63).

Moroni was about to continue writing more about Ether’s prophesies, but he was commanded to stop. He tells us that his prophesies were great a marvelous. The people cast him out and he hid in a cave by day and went out to view things that were happening among the people.

“In spite of the power of Ether and the clarity of his prophecies, the people “did not believe, because they saw them [great and marvelous things] not” (Ether 12:5). Atē [the consequence of hubris] was setting in. Their rejection was not only of his word but of his very presence: “they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out” (Ether 13:13). The consequences were immediate, for “in that same year in which he was cast out from among the people there began to be a great war among the people, for there were many who rose up, who were mighty men, and sought to destroy Coriantumr [the king] by their secret plans of wickedness” (Ether 13:15).[1]

Ether completed his record while he was in the cave. “And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record; (and the hundredth part I have not written) and he hid them in a manner that the people of Limhi did find them” (Ether 15:33).

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[1] Hubris and Atē: A Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper Maxwell Institute website.

Ether 13:7-10

Moroni, referring to Joseph, reminded us he brought his father to the land of Egypt, where he died.

“And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

“And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

“I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

“And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

“And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

“His sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt” (Genesis 46:2-7).

He did this to show His mercy towards the descants of Joseph. Through his mercy to Jacob, they would not perish.

“Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom” (2 Nephi 3:5).

A remnant of Joseph will be built in this promised land. This will also be a land of their inheritance. The promises made to Joseph would apply to those who inhabit this land in righteousness. “And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Nephi 2:20).

“And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks—

“And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded” (1 Nephi 14:1-2).

“And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them.

“And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance” (3 Nephi 20:13-14).

“And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people” (Ether 2:7).

They will build a holy city like the Jerusalem of old (see 3 Ne. 20:22, Ether 13:3–6, 10). “[T]hey shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away” (Ether 13:8). “And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled” (Moroni 10:31).

“Anciently, the Lord blessed Father Abraham with a promise to make his posterity a chosen people.1 References to this covenant occur throughout the scriptures. Included were promises that the Son of God would come through Abraham’s lineage, that certain lands would be inherited, that nations and kindreds of the earth would be blessed through his seed, and more. While some aspects of that covenant have already been fulfilled, the Book of Mormon teaches that this Abrahamic covenant will be fulfilled only in these latter days! It also emphasizes that we are among the covenant people of the Lord.4 Ours is the privilege to participate personally in the fulfillment of these promises. What an exciting time to live!”[1]

When the covenant is fulfilled, there will be a new heaven and new earth. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1).

“Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled.

“Old things are done away, and all things have become new” (3 Nephi 12:46-47).

Those that live in the New Jerusalem are blessed, Their garments are white through Christ’s atonement. “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). They will be numbered among the remnant of Joseph.

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[1] The Gathering of Scattered Israel, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2006 General Conference.

Ether 13:1-6

Chapter 13

Ether speaks of a New Jerusalem to be built in America by the seed of Joseph—He prophesies, is cast out, writes the Jaredite history, and foretells the destruction of the Jaredites—War rages over all the land.

Moroni now returns to Ether’s record “to finish [this] record concerning the destruction of the people of whom I have been writing” (Ether 13:1).

The Jaredites rejected Ether. He told them all things from the beginning. After the flood had receded, this land became a choice land, chosen of the Lord. All who lived upon the land were commanded to serve Him. “And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them” (Ether 2:8).

“Book of Mormon prophets describe for latter-day readers the responsibilities that rest upon those who inherit the land of promise. But these conditions did not begin with Lehi’s family or even with the Jaredites; this land has been one of promise from its beginning (Ether 13:2). Those conditions specify that the people and nations who inhabit the land are to be free from bondage, captivity, and ‘all other nations under heaven’ if they will serve God (Ether 2:12). The reverse is also implicit in Moroni’s statement: those who do not serve God have no promised protection and may expect to be subjected to bondage, captivity, and affliction by other nations who will come to the land and exercise God’s judgment upon them. Some people, then, are brought to the land for their righteousness, and others are brought to scourge the inhabitants. Moroni also states that unrighteous nations or people may be swept off the face of the land, but ‘it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off’ (Ether 2:10), suggesting that those peoples who do not reach a ‘fulness of iniquity’ may yet remain in the land…

“In both the Book of Mormon and modern-day scripture, the language of the scriptural promises concerning the land is open-ended. It refers to ‘whoso should possess the land’ (Ether 2:8), ‘whatsoever nation’ (Ether 2:9, 12), ‘he that doth possess it’ (Ether 2:10), ‘all men . . . who dwell upon the face thereof’ (Ether 13:2), ‘whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land’ (D&C 10:50), ‘all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be’ (D&C 10:51). The covenant conditions under which blessings may be inherited are explained, while the identification of who may inherit them is left unspecified in terms of both identification and time. Whoever they are, whenever they come, whatever their origins, the Book of Mormon makes clear that ‘this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring’ (2 Nephi 1:7) (emphasis in original).”[1]

This land will be the place of New Jerusalem – “[t]he place where the Saints will gather and Christ will personally reign with them during the Millennium. Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent, and the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory (10^th Article of Faith).[2] It also refers to a holy city that will come down out of heaven at the beginning of the Millennium” (Guide to the Scriptures, New Jerusalem). “And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you” (3 Nephi 20:22).

“And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.

“And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem” (3 Nephi 21:23-24).

The New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven and become “the holy sanctuary of the Lord” (Ether 13:3). “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name” (Revelation 3:12).

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).

“The Lord has also decreed that this land should be “the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, … the holy sanctuary of the Lord.” (Ether 13:3.) Here is our nation’s destiny! To serve God’s eternal purposes and to prepare this land and people for America’s eventual destiny, the Lord established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom he raised up to this very purpose. (See D&C 101:80.)”[3]

Ether also spoke of the house of Israel and Jerusalem, from where Lehi would come. After Jerusalem was destroyed it would again be built as a holy city unto the Lord. This would not be the new Jerusalem as it had been there in time of old. It would be built unto the house of Israel.

The New Jerusalem built upon this land “unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type” (Ether 13:6).

“In a speech of encouragement to his troops, the Nephite chief captain Moroni spoke of his people as “a remnant of [the seed of] Joseph” who had been sold into Egypt by his brothers (Alma 46:23–24, 27). This phrase and variations of it appear elsewhere in the Book of Mormon as well (e.g., 3 Nephi 5:23; 10:17; 15:12; Ether 13:6–8, 10).”[4]

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[1] Nephi’s Neighbors: Book of Mormon Peoples and Pre-Columbian Populations, Matthew Roper, Maxwell Institute website

[2] “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.”

[3] The Constitution – A Glorious Standard, President Ezra Taft Benson, April 1976 General Conference.

[4] The Remnant of Joseph, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute website.

Ether 12:35-41

Moroni is concerned the Gentiles will not have charity because of their weaknesses.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [GR love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-2).

He asked the Lord to prove them, take away their talent which they received, and give them to those “who shall have more abundantly” (Ether 12:35). Moroni prayed that he would give the Gentiles grace “that they might have charity” (Ether 12:36).

“Moroni despairs that those readers will mock what he is writing, that they will not have faith in what he writes, that they will not have charity. In other words, he is exhorting them to exercise faith, hope, and charity by accepting the Book of Mormon itself (see Ether 12). He prays to God that readers of the record might have charity to believe in the book despite his weakness in writing (see Ether 12:35–36).”[1]

“Moroni in his solitude—even after having witnessed the complete destruction of his people—believed in hope. In the twilight of the Nephite nation, Moroni wrote that without hope we cannot receive an inheritance in the kingdom of God.”

[2]The Lord responded, if the Gentiles don’t have charity it should not matter to Moroni. He has been faithful and his garments will be clean. “And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. (D&C 38:42).

He has seen his weaknesses will be made strong. He will sit in the mansions prepared by the Father.

“[Moroni’s] only answer was: ‘If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful’ (Ether 12:37). God will not force and man to have charity, which must be spontaneous and unsolicited, as Paul says, seeking nothing for itself (1 Corinthians 13:5). Charity is the one thing a person must have in himself and of himself. And so there Moroni leaves it: will we have charity, or will we not?”[3]

“Faith in Christ is a sustaining theme throughout the Book of Mormon. Christ is the answer to the existential limits of life facing all people. Certainly faith in Christ is the answer to the limits facing Moroni (the loss of all cultural meaning and context and the painful realities of loneliness and impending death).”[4]

Moroni bid the Gentiles farewell. Those who receive this message will see Moroni at the judgement seat. “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil” (Mosiah 16:10).

“And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our works” (Alma 12:12).

“And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil” (Mormon 3:20).

When we meet him, we will know his garments are not stained with their blood. “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26).

“And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day” (Jacob 1:19).

When they stand before the judgement seat, all will know he saw Jesus and talked with him face-to-face. He told him these things “in plain humility” (Ether 12:39).

“And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing” (Ether 12:40).

“Moroni closes telling us to seek the Savior. ‘[T]he prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever’ (Moroni 12:41).”[5]

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[1] Moroni: The Final Voice, Mark D. Thomas, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003): 96.

[2] The Infinite Power of Hope, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2008 General Conference.

[3] The Prophetic Book of Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.

[4] Moroni: The Final Voice, Mark D. Thomas, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003): 99. 

[5] He Is Risen, President Howard W. Hunter, April 1988 General Conference.

Ether 12:29-34

After the Lord explained why He gives us weaknesses, Moroni was comforted by His words. “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted” (Isaiah 49:13).

“Sometimes we feel discouraged because we are not ‘more’ of something—more spiritual, respected, intelligent, healthy, rich, friendly, or capable. Naturally, there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve. God created us to grow and progress. But remember, our weaknesses can help us to be humble and turn us to Christ, who will ‘make weak things become strong.’ Satan, on the other hand, uses our weaknesses to the point that we are discouraged from even trying.”[1]

He knows He works among us according to our faith. Through his faith, the brother of Jared moved mount Zerin. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

“Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea” (Jacob 4:6).

Through the faith of His disciples, He appeared to them after His resurrection. When they  spoke in His name, he gave them great power.

“And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesus had chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost.

“And many of them saw and heard unspeakable things, which are not lawful to be written.

“And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.

“And it came to pass that they did do all things even as Jesus had commanded them.

“And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ” (3 Nephi 26:17-21).

Moroni remembers the Lord said a place has been prepared “among the mansions of [the] Father” (Ether 12:32).

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

“And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen” (Enos 1:27).

“For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father” (D&C 72:4).

We must have hope in the Lord’s promises. Without hope, we “cannot receive an inheritance in the place which [He] hast prepared” (Ether 12:32).

“Hope is a gift of the Spirit. It is a hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection, we shall be raised unto life eternal and this because of our faith in the Savior. This kind of hope is both a principle of promise as well as a commandment, and, as with all commandments, we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope. Hope in our Heavenly Father’s merciful plan of happiness leads to peace, mercy, rejoicing, and gladness. The hope of salvation is like a protective helmet; it is the foundation of our faith and an anchor to our souls.” [2]

Moroni also remembers because He loved the world, He was willing to lay down His life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The love the Lord has for us is charity. “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him” (Moroni 7:47). He will take it up again to prepare a place for us in His kingdom.

“For the Lord had told [Moroni] that the only hope of the Gentiles was to have charity (Ether 12:34-35), the one toward which the present world is least inclined. In reply to his request, the Lord gave Moroni no firm promise. His only answer was: ‘If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful’ (Ether 12:37). God will not force and man to have charity, which must be spontaneous and unsolicited, as Paul says, seeking nothing for itself (1 Corinthians 13:5). Charity is the one thing a person must have in himself and of himself. And so there Moroni leaves it: will we have charity, or will we not?”[3]

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[1] It Works Wonderfully, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2015 General Conference.

[2] The Infinite Power of Hope, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2008 General Conference.

[3] The Prophetic Book of Mormon, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.

Ether 12:24-28

Moroni continues explaining his inability to adequately write like the brother of Jared. Jacob had explained this on the small plates. “Now behold, it came to pass that I, Jacob, having ministered much unto my people in word, (and I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates) and we know that the things which we write upon plates must remain” (Jacob 4:1).

The writings of the brother of Jared “were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them” (Ether 12:24).

“[Hugh Nibley] explains, ‘Our editor, Moroni, admits the damage … He says that the men of his day were conspicuously lacking in the peculiar literary gifts of those who wrote the original book of Ether: “Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared,” he says, “for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them” (Ether 12:24) … Moroni in editing Ether is keenly aware of his inability to do justice to the writing before him.’”[1]

Nephite words are powerful and great, but their writing does not reflect the power of their words. “And I [Mormon] know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write” (3 Nephi 5:18).

“[W]hen we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words” (Ether 12:25). “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [GR examined, tried, judged]” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

“[Moroni] went on to describe the problem beyond that, saying, ‘we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words’ (Ether 12:25). Moroni implies that the writing system of the Jaredites, which he considered superior to that of the Nephites, accounted for the greater clarity of that earlier record (as suggested by Ether 12:23–24). Thus it appears that the script system the Nephite writers were using contributed to the lack of clarity.”[2]

After writing this, Moroni tells us the Lord spake to him. Fools, he said, mock. “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling [IE fomenting trouble]” (Proverbs 20:3). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). They will morn because they mocked the word of the Lord. His grace is sufficient for the meek. They will take no advantage of the weaknesses in their writing.

If we turn to the Lord, he will show us our weaknesses. “Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things” (Jacob 4:7). We are given weaknesses so we will become humble before the Lord.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called [JST chosen]:

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound [GR shame, frustrate] the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).

The key is we must humble ourselves before the Lord. “And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time” (D&C 1:27). If we do this, his grace will be sufficient. Our weaknesses will become strengths. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“The Book of Mormon prophets insist that the scriptures include both the inspiration of God and human weakness. Our ability to obtain light from the scriptures (as from the Church) is related to our capacity to accept the divine inspiration without condemning the human weakness, trusting the Lord to make weak things strong (Ether 12;27) in his own due time.”[3]

“Moroni said that when he ‘heard these words,’ he ‘was comforted’ (Ether 12:29). They can be a comfort to all of us. Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress. Your awareness of your weakness is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and keeps you turning to the Savior. The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature. Then weak things become strong.”[4]

The Gentiles will be shown their weaknesses. They will learn faith, hope and charity brings Him. “And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works” (Alma 7:24). The Lord is the fountain of all righteousness. “And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you” (Mosiah 2:22).

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[1] Christ and Krishna: The Visions of Arjuna and the Brother of Jared, Joseph M. Spencer, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 23 (2014): 60.

[2] Mormon’s Sources, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] Paradigms Crossed, Kevin Christensen, Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 7/2 (1995): 191.

[4] “My Peace I Leave with You,” President Henry B. Eyring, April 2017 General Conference.

Ether 12:21-23

After identifying those who saw the Lord before His birth, he uses the example of the brother of Jared.

Through his faith he saw the finger of the Lord. “And it came to pass … the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood” (Ether 3:6).

Because of his faith, “the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight” (Ether 12:21).

“And when the Lord had said these words, he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth.

“For he had said unto him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto him all things—it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all things” (Ether 3:25-26).

Through his faith, he saw through the veil. “Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him” (Ether 3:20).

Speaking of his record, Moroni was commanded to tell us the record would come forth. The Lord had made this promise to his fathers. “And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him—that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation” (Enos 1:13).

Moroni acknowledges “the Gentiles will mock at these things” (Ether 12:23) because of their “weakness in writing” (Ether 12:23).

There are numerous references to weaknesses in the Book of Mormon. In the introduction, Moroni identifies their weaknesses. “And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon).

There are other references to “weaknesses” in the Nephite record.

“Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself” (1 Nephi 19:16).

“And if there be faults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that condemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire” (Mormon 8:17).

“Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

“And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record” (Mormon 9:31,33).

The apostle Paul identified his weaknesses.

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, [except] Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

“And my speech and my preaching was not with [persuasive] words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

The Nephites were “mighty in word by faith” and not as mighty using the written word.

 “And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1).

“Book of Mormon language frequently contains lengthy structures of rather awkward English. Some may consider these to be instances of poor grammar, weakness in writing (Ether 12:23-26), or the literary ineptness of a fraudulent author; however, I see them as potentially significant support for a translation from a Near Eastern language in an ancient American setting.”[1]

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[1] A Lengthier Treatment of Length Brian D. Stubbs, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5/2 (1996):  82.

Ether 12:16-20

After giving examples of what some of God’s servants from Nephite history had accomplished, Moroni reminds us those miracles were done through faith in Christ, “even those who were before Christ” (Ether 12:16).

Referring to the three Nephites, we are reminded it was through their faith they would tarry until Christ returns. “Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven” (3 Nephi 28:7).

No miracles have been performed by God’s servants without faith in the Son of God.

Moroni mentions “there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad” (Ether 12:19).

Some examples include…

Jacob, brother of Nephi – “Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him” (2 Nephi 11:4).

Jacob mentions Old Testament prophets. “Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son” (Jacob 4:5).

Jarom wrote, “Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them” (Jarom 1:11).

Speaking of Lamanites who, after being defeated in war, Alma shares the following observation.

“Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them.

“Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come” (Alma 25:15-16).

We also have the example of the brother of Jared.

“And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

“And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?

“And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

“And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you” (Ether 3:6, 11-13).

“Now, I wish to encourage those who are in the midst of hard trials, who feel their faith may be fading under the onslaught of troubles. Trouble itself can be your way to strengthen and finally gain unshakable faith. Moroni, the son of Mormon in the Book of Mormon, told us how that blessing could come to pass. He teaches the simple and sweet truth that acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it…

“That particle of faith most precious and which you should protect and use to whatever extent you can is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Moroni taught the power of that faith this way: ‘And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.’”[1]

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[1] Mountains to Climb, President Henry B. Eyring, April 2012 General Conference.

Ether 12:11-15

The Lord gave the law of Moses through faith. Through the gift of Christ, He has prepared a “more excellent way” (Ether 12:11).

Scriptures describe this excellent gift. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“Jesus answered and said unto [the Samaritan woman at the well], If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:7).

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

“Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen” (1 Nephi 15:36).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

“Where do we turn for help? “In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way” (Ether 12:11). The Savior isn’t our last chance; He is our only chance. Our only chance to overcome self-doubt and catch a vision of who we may become. Our only chance to repent and have our sins washed clean. Our only chance to purify our hearts, subdue our weaknesses, and avoid the adversary. Our only chance to obtain redemption and exaltation. Our only chance to find peace and happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.”[1]

Faith is essential if God’s work is to be done among us. “[F]or it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain” (Moroni 7:37).

Without faith, no miracle can be done.

“Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

“Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it” (Alma 32:17-18).

“Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalms 78:41).

The Savior could do no miracles in his homeland, Nazareth, because they rejected Him. “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 15:38).

“And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust” (Moroni 9:20).

Moroni gives us examples of miracles done through faith. “Moroni presents three examples of miracles wrought among the people as a result of faith: (1) the prison walls which tumble to the earth without hurting Alma and Amulek (Alma 14); (2) the remarkable ‘change upon the Lamanites’ (Ether 12:14) resulting from the prison encounter of Nephi and Lehi (Helaman 5); and (3) the conversion of so many Lamanites by the sons of Mosiah (Alma 17–26; Ether 12:13–15). Moroni does not explicitly give Alma any credit for the conversion of the Lamanites in Helaman 5—in fact, he cites the faith of Nephi and Lehi—but he clearly views this later conversion as comparable to the ‘great . . . miracle’ wrought by the sons of Mosiah among the Lamanites (Ether 12:14–15).”[2]

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[1] Our Only Chance, Sister Sheri L. Dew, April 1999 General Conference.

[2] The Supremacy of the Word: Alma’s Mission to the Zoramites and the Conversion of the Lamanites, Michael F. Perry, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 128.