Mormon promised to share the story of the Jaredites. (See Mormon 28:17-19.) As the new caretaker of the records, Moroni now fulfills that promise by writing the book of Ether. He opens with a reverse preview of the book, tracing the ancestry of Ether, a prophet who, like Moroni, witnessed the destruction of his people, all the way back to Jared, who came to the American continent at the time of the tower of Babel. Every name in that genealogy will be mentioned in this book.
The story then opens with three prayers at the tower of Babel. Three times, Jared asks his brother to pray: first that the two of them will continue to understand each other, second that their friends will continue to understand them, and third to know where they should go. All three prayers are answered, and they prepare, with family and friends, to travel to a new home.
Chapter Outline
- Introduction and genealogy of Jared (v. 1-32)
- Three prayers and three blessings at the tower of Babel (v. 33-43)
My Takeaways
- God often gives us time to understand our challenges and pray before He blesses us.
- We may benefit from praying a little longer.
- Coming unto Christ is an incremental process.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Introduction and genealogy – Ether 1:1-32
The Jaredite Generations
Thirty generations in fifteen chapters: in the Book of Ether, Moroni provides a sweeping history of the rise and fall of a civilization. At first glance, the book appears to be the story of the Jaredite people from the perspective of their kings. But upon closer consideration, it becomes clear that the narrative follows a…
Biblical Bookends in the Book of Ether
A key message of the Book of Mormon is that we should study the Bible. The book of Ether underscores this point by referencing the first book, Genesis (the tower of Babel), and the last book, Revelation (in conjunction with the brother of Jared’s vision).
❖ Three Prayers – Ether 1:33-43
Why Did Jared Ask His Brother to Pray Instead of Praying Himself?
Yesterday, I wrote about the lessons we can learn about coming unto Christ from the brother of Jared. Today, I’d like to explore a more specific question: why did Jared ask his brother to pray for him? Why didn’t he just offer those prayers himself? Jared and his brother lived at the time of the…
The Lord Had Compassion upon Jared – Ether 1:35, 37, 39-42
35 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded…. 37 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the…
What Can We Learn About Coming Unto Christ from the Brother of Jared?
The Book of Mormon tells the story of a family who traveled across the ocean to the American continent just after human languages were confounded at the Tower of Babel. The family was led by a man named Jared and by his brother, who is simply called “the brother of Jared” throughout the narrative. The…
This Long Time – Ether 1:41-43
41 Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families. 42 And when…
Unconfounded
Jared and his brother prayed that their language would not be confounded. God answered their prayer. He will also answer ours as we seek to communicate more clearly and effectively with one another. Improved understanding will yield greater unity.
“There Will I Meet Thee … There Will I Bless Thee”
God instructed Jared and his family where they should travel. He promised to meet them and to bless them at the places He was leading them. He doesn’t always meet our needs by coming to us. Sometimes He leads us to a place where our needs can be met.
Old Testament Foundations
“I Will Go Before Thee”
At the end of Moses’ life, he encouraged the children of Israel to move into the promised land with courage and faith: “The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee,” promised Moses (Deuteronomy 31:3). And he reiterated this promise to Joshua, who would lead the Israelites after Moses’ departure: “The Lord, he it…
A Land of Promise
Abraham recognized that it was time for a change. “I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence,” he wrote (Abraham 1:1). God had promised to lead him by the hand (Abraham 1:18), and take him to “a strange land” where his descendants would become “a great nation” (Genesis 12:1-2). The…
A Tower to Get to Heaven
Sometime after the Great Flood, the descendants of Noah were gathered in a place called Shinar, which later became known as Babylonia. They collectively resolved to build “a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven.” They viewed this project as a way to avoid being “scattered abroad upon the face of the…
New Testament Parallels
Genealogy of Jesus
None of us is an island, and the impact of our lives is not limited to people currently living. We operate in a multigenerational space, and our decisions affect “generations gone before” and “generations yet to be.” (See “Turn Your Hearts,” Hymns, 291.) An awareness of that reality can help us feel connected and can…
Church History Connections
“Inquire of the Lord”
The Book of Mormon contains many stories of people taking questions to God in prayer and receiving answers. Here are some examples: Lehi prayed to know where his son Nephi should go to hunt for food for the family (1 Nephi 16:23-26). Jacob prayed to know what he should do about the “wicked practices” he…
Making and Keeping Appointments with God
Joseph Smith’s annual visits with the angel enabled him to demonstrate his commitment to God. The anticipation of these visits surely blessed him throughout the year. We can also set and keep appointments to do things which bring us closer to God.
All Posts Referencing Ether 1
- Climbing the Ladder (3/8/2026)
- Jesus Christ is the Way (2/14/2026)
- “There Will I Meet Thee … There Will I Bless Thee” (11/15/2024)
- Unconfounded (11/13/2024)
- Biblical Bookends in the Book of Ether (11/12/2024)
- Genealogy of Jesus (1/5/2023)
- “I Will Go Before Thee” (6/21/2022)
- Milk and Honey (3/25/2022)
- Finding Favor (3/10/2022)
- A Land of Promise (2/12/2022)
- A Tower to Get to Heaven (2/5/2022)
- “Especial Care” (11/2/2021)
- “Inquire of the Lord” (1/7/2021)
- The Jaredite Generations (11/18/2020)
- Four Years and Three Hours – Ether 2:14 (11/12/2020)
- Gazelem – Alma 37:23 (7/24/2020)
- What Is the Book of Mormon? (12/27/2019)
- How Does God Communicate with Us? (4/16/2019)
- Why Did Jared Ask His Brother to Pray Instead of Praying Himself? (2/16/2019)
- What Can We Learn About Coming Unto Christ from the Brother of Jared? (2/15/2019)
- The Lord Had Compassion upon Jared – Ether 1:35, 37, 39-42 (2/25/2018)
- This Long Time – Ether 1:41-43 (6/1/2017)
- This Long Time Ye Have Cried Unto Me – Ether 1:43 (11/28/2015)
- Go and Inquire of the Lord – Ether 1:38 (11/28/2015)
- Ether 1:43 And This Will I Do Because This Long Time Ye Have Cried Unto Me (12/17/2014)