Day 11: Book of Mormon, Ether & Moroni

And it came to pass, I did reach my journeys end…at least with the Book of Mormon. Here I am with plenty of questions, new insights, and some understanding for this unique American religious expression. I can’t rest easy, yet, though. I still need to read Doctrines & Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. As far as the primary narrative text for Latter-day Saints, this is it. So, let’s dive in.

The Book of Ether is, in my estimation, the most peculiar book in the Book of Mormon. Why? We reach another narrative climax with Moroni being the last of his people in the previous book, only for us to be transported back hundreds of years to finally learn about the Jaredites. It feels like a “Doctor, one more thing…” moment.

It’s an interesting story, but it feels somewhat out of place. A man named Jared fleas the impending destruction of the Tower of Babel (and the confounding of languages) with his family. Eventually, they set sail and reach the promised land. The people flourish, choose kings, and — as so many of these things go — turn to wickedness. A prophet appears named Ether. As any good prophet would do, Ether tells the people to repent. They refuse. Ether hides away in a cave and watches the people tear themselves apart. There’s a fun little curse from God that causes objects and weapons to disappear once people set them down. I love that. Soon enough, the king of the Jaredites, Coriantumr, is the last to survive. He is taken in by the people of Zarahemla and Ether finishes the record of the Jaredites in the hopes it will be discovered one day.

We conclude with the Book of Moroni. It contains letters from Mormon to his son, specifications for the priesthood, administering the sacraments, not baptizing children, an explanation of spiritual gifts, and what I’m calling “The Book of Mormon Challenge.” Readers are directed to pray with a sincere heart and ask Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is true. And thus concludes the Book of Mormon.

As to the challenge? I accept.

Things I Noticed in the Text

1. Ether 3:6, Magic Light Stones. This is a fun little bit of the story of Jared. He needs light to illuminate his ships, so God blesses some stones and they glow. Love it.
2. Ether 3:13, Hey It’s Jesus! Jesus appears to the “brother of Jared” and they have a good talk.
3. Ether 6:11-12, Promised Land. After 344 days at sea, the people of Jared reach America.
4. Ether 14:1, Disappearing Objects. After Ether tells the people to repent, they are cursed by God. Every time they set something down, it disappears.
5. Ether 15:29-33, Last of the Jaredites. Coriantumr is taken in by Zarahemla and Ether finishes the record of his people.
6. Moroni 4 & 5, Rules for Communion. My understanding is that in LDS churches, the words of administering must be spoken exactly as written from memory. Here they are.
7. Moroni 8:5, Baptizing Children. Don’t do it. It’s an abomination.
8. Moroni 10:4, Book of Mormon Challenge. “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

This post is part of a larger series where I read the entirety of Latter-day Saint scripture in 15 days. Take a look at the original post for more info, as well as links to other reflections on this journey.