We learn the following from the book of Ether about gratitude: 1. Be grateful even in difficult circumstances. 2. Express gratitude promptly. 3. We make better decisions when we remember our blessings. 4. Remembering God's blessings gives us confidence.
Doing Justice to Myself
Morianton was a Jaredite king. He "did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself." There are many ways we can do justice to others but not to ourselves, including neglecting our health and failing to forgive ourselves. We need to be kind to all of God's children, including ourselves.
Across the Great Deep
God led Jared and his family across the ocean in barges that they couldn't steer. He can also lead us through circumstances in our lives that are beyond our control. Like the Jaredites, we need to learn to trust Him to carry us "across the great deep."
The Sons of Jacob
Jacob had twelve sons. Each of them was unique, with his own strengths and weaknesses. In the Genesis narrative, as each son is born, we learn not only their name but also the significance of the name to Rachel or Leah (Genesis 29:32-35, Genesis 30:1-24, Genesis 35:18). Some of these boys were their literal children,... Continue Reading →
Anointed
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Isaiah 61:1 To anoint is to "smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony," and is often associated with a person taking on a significant... Continue Reading →
“Thank and Praise the Lord” – Ether 6:9
While the Jaredites sat in enclosed barges for nearly a year, with all the food and animals they could carry, and with furious storms battering them, sometimes sinking them deep in the water, what did they do? How did they spend their time? Here is Moroni's description: And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Taxes?
The Book of Mormon speaks about the tax policies of five leaders. Two of them worked to minimize taxes on their people, while the other three imposed exorbitant taxes on their people, with predictably catastrophic results. King Benjamin reported to his people at the end of his life that he had labored with his own... Continue Reading →
Riplakish – Ether 10:5-8
5 And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men’s shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he... Continue Reading →
Prospered by the Hand of the Lord – Ether 10:28
28 And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it. (Ether 10:28) In Ether 10, Moroni describes the prosperity of the Jaredites under the reign of... Continue Reading →