The Jaredites place the shining stones in their barges, fill them with provisions, and embark on their year- long journey across the sea. Arriving in their promised land, they spread out and begin to till the earth. When Jared and his brother grow old, they call their people together to ask what the people desire. They are saddened by the people’s desire for a king, but they fulfill it, anointing Jared’s son Orihah to be their first king.
Chapter Outline
- The Jaredites travel across the sea in barges (v. 1-11)
- They arrive at the promised land and begin to till the earth (v. 12-18)
- Over the objections of Jared and his brother, they choose a king (v. 19-30)
My Takeaways
- Follow the guidance you receive from God, even when you don’t know where it will lead.
- Prepare for the storms you will inevitably face by taking care of your health, investing in key relationships, and creating effective plans.
- Help my students find their own answers to gospel questions, rather than trying to answer those questions for them.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Traveling in Barges – Ether 6:1-11
“Commending Themselves Unto the Lord Their God” – Ether 6:4
After living on the seashore for four years, the first generation of Jaredites prepared to cross the “great deep” (Ether 2:25). As they prepared to enter and launch eight enclosed barges, they must have felt extraordinary trepidation. God had said that they would be “as a whale in the midst of the sea.” He told…
Being Part of That Furious Wind
The Jaredite barges traveled across the ocean to their promised land because of a “furious wind” which “never did cease to blow towards the promised land.” We can likewise serve as gusts of wind for others, helping them progress toward their promised land
Tight Like unto a Dish – Ether 6:5-8
5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind. 6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried…
When They Were Encompassed About – Ether 6:7
7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the…
He Did Thank and Praise the Lord All the Day Long – Ether 6:9, 12
9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord…. 12 And they did land upon the shore of the…
❖ In the promised land – Ether 6:12-18
Taught from on High – Ether 6:17
17 And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high. (Ether 6:17) When we teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, our primary concern is to create an environment that will enable each of our students to be taught by the Holy Spirit. Yes, we may state…
❖ Choosing a king – Ether 6:19-30
“What Great Things”
Knowing what the Lord has done for prior generations can help us in 3 ways: 1. It provides a foundation for our faith. 2. It helps us recognize that apparently small miracles may be larger than we realize. 3. It keeps us humble and grateful.
“Surely This Thing Leadeth into Captivity” – Ether 6:22-24
22 And it came to pass that the people desired of them that they should anoint one of their sons to be a king over them. 23 And now behold, this was grievous unto them. And the brother of Jared said unto them: Surely this thing leadeth into captivity. 24 But Jared said unto his…
Old Testament Foundations
The Song of the Sea: Gratitude Builds Faith
Many times in the Book of Mormon, people offer thanks and praise to God after receiving a blessing. For example: The family of Lehi “did rejoice exceedingly” and offered sacrifice to God when the sons returned safely from Jerusalem with the brass plates (1 Nephi 5:9-10). They did the same after the sons returned with…
Deep Waters
When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. “How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, #85 When it came time for Jared, his brother, and their families to board the…
What Are the “Tender Mercies of the Lord?”
In the first chapter of the Book of Mormon, Nephi describes a series of revelations which his father Lehi received. Lehi learns that his city, Jerusalem will be destroyed, and he attempts to warn the people of the city. In response, they mock him, threaten him, and try to kill him. Nephi ends the chapter…
“With the Voice Together Shall They Sing”
The Book of Mormon opens with music. In the opening scene, Lehi sees in a vision: God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. 1 Nephi 1:8 The prophet Isaiah associated singing with expressions of joy and gratitude. For example: “Sing, O heavens;…
Walk Humbly
The ancient prophet Micah counseled us to “walk humbly with God.” The Jaredites taught their children to walk humbly as an expression of gratitude. The Spirit of the Lord can help us learn to walk more humbly.
Church History Connections
If Ye Are Prepared…
When Nephi and his people “had prepared all things,” including “much fruit and meat from the wilderness, and honey in abundance,” and other provisions, they boarded the ship they had built to travel across the ocean (1 Nephi 18:6). The brother of Jared and his people did the same before embarking on their journey: When…
From on High: The Stabilizing Effect of Personal Revelation in a Turbulent World
The Lord said, “Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach.” He meant that we must keep the voices around us in perspective and anchor ourselves to truths we have learned directly from Him. As we are “taught of the Lord,” our peace and confidence increases.
All Posts Referencing Ether 6
- Building My Ark (2/12/2026)
- Multiply and Replenish (12/18/2025)
- Creatures, Living Things, and Beasts (7/16/2025)
- From on High: The Stabilizing Effect of Personal Revelation in a Turbulent World (5/2/2025)
- Gratitude and the Book of Ether (11/28/2024)
- Walk Humbly (11/20/2024)
- Being Part of That Furious Wind (11/19/2024)
- Across the Great Deep (11/14/2024)
- “What Great Things” (1/5/2024)
- The Book of Psalms and the Book of Mormon (8/27/2022)
- The Song of the Sea: Gratitude Builds Faith (4/9/2022)
- We Need Our Ancestors—and They Need Us (11/5/2021)
- Deep Waters (11/4/2021)
- If Ye Are Prepared… (4/16/2021)
- “With the Voice Together Shall They Sing” (3/13/2021)
- “Thank and Praise the Lord” – Ether 6:9 (11/21/2020)
- “The Country Was Divided” – Ether 7:20 (11/20/2020)
- The Jaredite Generations (11/18/2020)
- “Commending Themselves Unto the Lord Their God” – Ether 6:4 (11/17/2020)
- Barges (11/10/2020)
- What Should I Be Thankful For? (11/28/2019)
- What Are the “Tender Mercies of the Lord?” (3/2/2019)
- When They Were Encompassed About – Ether 6:7 (5/24/2018)
- “Surely This Thing Leadeth into Captivity” – Ether 6:22-24 (5/6/2018)
- Tight Like unto a Dish – Ether 6:5-8 (2/28/2018)
- How Great Things the Lord Had Done – Ether 6:30, Ether 7:27 (6/10/2017)
- He Did Thank and Praise the Lord All the Day Long – Ether 6:9, 12 (6/9/2017)
- They Were Also Taught From on High – Ether 6:17 (7/17/2016)
- Taught from on High – Ether 6:17 (12/5/2015)
- Surely This Thing Leadeth into Captivity – Ether 6:22-23 (12/4/2015)
- He Remembered the Great Things the Lord Had Done – Ether 6:30, 7:27 (12/3/2015)