Ether 1-2
Reading for Tuesday, May 1: Ether 1-2
Learning Activities:
1)Introduction
Moroni abridged the book of Ether from the 24 gold plates found by the search party sent by Limhi (see Mosiah 8:7–11). These plates contained the history of the Jaredite people. The account of the Jaredites begins with Jared and his brother seeking the Lord’s compassion and guidance for their families and friends when the Lord confounded the languages of the people at the Tower of Babel (see Genesis 11). Because the brother of Jared prayed to the Lord faithfully, the Lord preserved the language of Jared, his brother, and their families and friends. The Lord declared that He would lead them to a promised land, where they would become a great nation.
2) What does chapter 1 teach us about prayer? Add these quotes to your scriptures:
“Do you get answers to your prayers? … Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly?” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Prayer,” New Era,Mar. 1978, 17).
“Let your Father in Heaven know of your feelings, your needs, your concerns, your hopes and aspirations. Speak to Him with total confidence, knowing that He will hear and respond” (Richard G. Scott, “The Power of a Strong Testimony,” Ensign,Nov. 2001, 88).
ETHER 2
Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about how we often receive revelation:
Referring to Ether 2:14–15, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles marveled at the brother of Jared’s strength of character and God’s loving forgiveness:
“It is difficult to imagine what a three-hour rebuke from the Lord might be like, but the brother of Jared endured it. With immediate repentance and prayer, this prophet again sought guidance for the journey they had been assigned and those who were to pursue it. God accepted his repentance and lovingly gave further direction for their crucial mission” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon[1997], 15).
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord taught, “Whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you” (D&C 95:1).
Ether 2:14–15. The Lord’s chastening as an expression of love
Referring to Ether 2:14–15, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles marveled at the brother of Jared’s strength of character and God’s loving forgiveness:
“It is difficult to imagine what a three-hour rebuke from the Lord might be like, but the brother of Jared endured it. With immediate repentance and prayer, this prophet again sought guidance for the journey they had been assigned and those who were to pursue it. God accepted his repentance and lovingly gave further direction for their crucial mission” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon[1997], 15).
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord taught, “Whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you” (D&C 95:1).
Ether 2:22–23. Prayer must be combined with effort
Many people have said that we should pray as if everything depends on the Lord and work as if everything depends on us. President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that he often heard President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) say, “I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Capacity,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 16).Ether 2:14–15. Improving our prayers
Elder Donald L. Staheli (1931–2010) of the Seventy:
“Daily fervent prayers seeking forgiveness and special help and direction are essential to our lives and the nourishment of our testimonies. When we become hurried, repetitive, casual, or forgetful in our prayers, we tend to lose the closeness of the Spirit, which is so essential in the continual direction we need to successfully manage the challenges of our everyday lives” (Donald L. Staheli, “Securing Our Testimonies,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 39).
Want More?
Ether 1:34–35. What is the name of the brother of Jared?
Elder George Reynolds (1842–1909) of the Presidency of the Seventy related the following account, which shows that the name of the brother of Jared was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me. Elder William F. Cahoon, who was standing near heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (George Reynolds, “The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, May 1, 1892, 282).
