Monday, September 24, 2007

Ether 5-7

The Three Witnesses

This chapter almost reads like a revelation from the Doctrine and Covenants. It seems as though Moroni were directing his words specifically to Joseph Smith.

After or as this chapter was being translated, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris asked Joseph to inquire of the Lord about these three witnesses. These three gentlemen later were shown the gold plates by Moroni. Moroni also showed them the Sword of Laben, the Liahona and the Urim and Thummim. (See D&C 17)

The Jaredites Cross the Sea

In chapter 6, we resume the account of the Jaredites crossing the great ocean. They travel for 344 days on the water (Ether 6:11). When they arrived at the Promised Land, they bowed themselves down on the land and were humbled and cried. Is this not symbolic of our journey through life? After a long, tough journey, will we not bow ourselves before the Lord and shed tears of joy before the Lord?

The Brother of Jared’s Counsel

The people want a king and the Brother of Jared warns that kingships will lead to captivity. (see Ether 6:22-23) His prophesy is fulfilled many times.

The first king established is Orihah. Orihah passed the kingship to his son Kib. Kib had a son named Corihor. Corihor rebelled against his father and eventually took the king captive, thus fulfilling the Brother of Jared’s prophecy in just a few years. (see Ether 7:5)

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