The Great Voyage of the Jaredites
The Great Voyage of the Jaredites
Book of Mormon Notes - Wednesday, May 14, 2024, Ether 6
The consistent message of the Book of Mormon prophets is simple: repent, and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Moroni reiterates and extends this same invitation repeatedly:
And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God. (Ether 5:5)
O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him. (Mormon 9:27)
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. (Moroni 10:32)
The words of Christ in the Book of Mormon are the standard by which the world shall be judged, and next to Christ, Moroni is one of the main standard bearers. He is the custodian of the Nephite and Jaredite records, and the messenger who taught the Prophet Joseph Smith. Thus the Prophet Joseph Smith, under the Lord’s direction, presides over the last dispensation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he stands athwart at least three great civilizations on the American continent, from ancient times to the present. Moroni stood athwart his own civilization and that of the Jaredites, and we can ponder the purpose of the message that he extracts from his abridgment of the Book of Ether, for the Prophet Joseph Smith and for us.
Moroni proceeds with his record of Jared and his brother. It is interesting that Moroni calls it the record of Jared and his brother. Most of what we have read in Moroni’s abridgment of the Book of Ether thus far focuses on the brother of Jared’s experiences with the Lord, and not on Jared. Why then does Moroni call it the record of Jared and his brother? I don’t know. But it makes sense to me that the record was handed down from generation to generation through Jared’s lineage, even unto the prophet Ether who was a direct descendant of Jared, and not the brother of Jared.
I also find it interesting how Moroni describes the way in which the Lord lit the stones that the brother of Jared placed inside the barges. Moroni writes that the Lord prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount. The Lord prepared the stones according to the brother of Jared’s supplication: “therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness.” (Ether 3:4) The Lord touched the stones with His Almighty finger, and He prepared them to shine forth in darkness, and to shine forth unto the brother of Jared and his family and friends in the vessels that they prepared, in order for them to have light while they crossed the sea. Thus the brother of Jared and his people prepared the vessels, but the Lord prepared the light.
Why is this significant? As I see it, this is significant because the brother of Jared and his people did what they could do. They knew how to build barges, and following the Lord’s direction, they did so. But the brother of Jared and his people could not light the barges on their own. They could not prepare stones to shine. That required power beyond their own abilities and capacities. Only after the brother of Jared and his people had prepared the barges, and only after the brother of Jared had done all that he could do did the Lord provide the light that only He, as the Light of the World, could provide.
There are so many metaphors and symbols that come to mind when I think of the preparation of the barges (by the brother of Jared and his people) and the preparation of the stones (by the power of the Lord). What lessons do you draw from the preparation of the barges and the preparation of the stones? Here are a few things that come immediately to my mind:
the barges are like mortal tabernacles, human bodies, and the stones are like the life that creates living souls
the barges are like reason or the best efforts of the work of our minds and our hands, and the stones are like revelation
the barges are like our homes and places of refuge, and the stones are like the scriptures
the barges are like our homes and places of refuge, and the stones are like inspired parents in the home, mother and father
the barges are like our homes and places of refuge, and the stones are like the spiritual perspectives and strength that we gain from the Lord in Temples, at Church, and through our efforts to do good in the world
To this last point, I recall the recent teachings of Elder Bednar:
Today I repeat a principle I previously have emphasized. Our homes should be the ultimate combination of both sacred time and holy place wherein individuals and families can “be still” and know that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior. Leaving our homes to worship on the Sabbath and in the house of the Lord certainly is essential. But only as we return to our homes with the spiritual perspective and strength obtained in those holy places and activities can we then sustain our focus upon the primary purposes of mortal life and overcome the temptations so prevalent in our fallen world.
Our ongoing Sabbath, temple, and home experiences should fortify us with the power of the Holy Ghost, with an ongoing and stronger covenant connection to the Father and the Son, and with “a perfect brightness of hope”19 in God’s eternal promises.
As home and Church are gathered together in one in Christ,20 we may be troubled on every side, but we will not be distressed in our minds and hearts. We may be perplexed by our circumstances and challenges, but we will not be in despair. We may be persecuted, but we will also recognize that we are never alone.21 We can receive spiritual strength to become and remain firm, steadfast, and true.
In simple terms, like the brother of Jared carrying the lit stones into the barges, we must bring the Light of the World and His light from Temples, sacrament meetings, scripture study, obedience, service, and so forth into our hearts and homes. In addition to the food, water, and other material preparations that the brother of Jared and his people made for the barges, they required the spiritual preparation of the lit stones in order to cross the seas. Similarly, in addition to our food and water storage and other material preparations, we require the spiritual preparation of revelation to guide us through the storms of life to the Promised Land of Eternal Life in the Celestial Kingdom of God, or as Mormon put it:
Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked-
And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out. (Helaman 3:29-30)
Let’s now listen to how Moroni describes the stones in the barges:
For it came to pass after the Lord had prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels.
And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness. (Ether 6:3)
The Lord prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount by touching them with His finger, filling them with His light, and causing them to shine in darkness. He caused them to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children. Is there a parable in this? I think so. How does the Lord prepare us to shine in darkness and give light to others? How does the Lord touch us with His finger and fill us with light, preparing us to shine for others?
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that: “Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances.” Just as the brother of Jared communed with the Lord on Mount Shelem, received ordinances and covenants from Him, and received light from the Lord for the stones (and himself), we receive light, the Spirit of God, and preparation from the finger of the Lord through ordinances. Each ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a conduit through which the power of God flows into our lives, like light through the finger of the Lord into the stones. We, like the brother of Jared’s stones, are prepared and filled with light by the finger of the Lord through ordinances. We retain and grow in that preparation and light by keeping the associated covenants.
Another parable occurred to me in thinking of the number of the stones. In order to place two stones in each of the eight barges, the brother of Jared carried sixteen stones with him to the top of Mount Shelem. That’s a lot of stones to carry. I imagine that one stone for each barge would have provided much light. Why did the brother of Jared place two stones in each barge? I don’t know. But when I thought of the sixteen shining stones, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, and the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: 1 + 3 + 12 = 16.
The same God that placed the star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well. - Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon recently taught us to “Look and pray for opportunities to let your light shine that others may see the way to Jesus Christ.” She shared the following story and principle:
When I was 10 years old, our family had the honor of hosting Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles while he was on assignment in my hometown.
At the close of the day, our family and the Perrys sat down in our living room to enjoy my mother’s delicious apple pie while Elder Perry recounted stories about Saints around the world. I was enthralled.
It was getting late when my mother called me into the kitchen and asked a simple question: “Bonnie, did you feed the chickens?”
My heart fell; I had not. Not wanting to leave the presence of an Apostle of the Lord, I suggested the chickens could fast until morning.
My mother replied with a definitive “no.” Just then, Elder Perry entered the kitchen and with his booming, enthusiastic voice asked, “Did I hear someone needs to feed the chickens? Can my son and I join you?”
Oh, what an absolute joy it now became to feed the chickens! I ran to get our large yellow flashlight. Excited, I led out, skipping over the well-worn path to the chicken coop. With flashlight swinging from my hand, we crossed the corn patch and passed through the wheat field.
Reaching the small irrigation ditch that crossed the path, I instinctively jumped over it as I had done many nights before. I was oblivious to Elder Perry’s efforts to keep up on a dark, unknown path. My dancing light did not help him see the ditch. Without a steady light to see, he stepped directly in the water and let out a loud groan. Panicked, I turned to see my new friend remove his soaking wet foot from the ditch and shaking the water from his heavy leather shoe.
With a soaked and sloshing shoe, Elder Perry helped me feed the chickens. When we were through, he lovingly instructed, “Bonnie, I need to see the path. I need the light to shine where I am walking.”
I was shining my light but not in a way that would help Elder Perry. Now, knowing that he needed my light to safely navigate the path, I focused the flashlight just ahead of his steps and we were able to return home with confidence.
My dear brothers and sisters, for years I’ve pondered the principle I learned from Elder Perry. The Lord’s invitation to let our light so shine is not just about randomly waving a beam of light and making the world generally brighter. It is about focusing our light so others may see the way to Christ. It is gathering Israel on this side of the veil—helping others see the next step forward in making and keeping sacred covenants with God.2
The brother of Jared’s shining stones were strategically placed, one in each end of each barge, giving light to the brother of Jared and his family and friends as they crossed the tempestuous ocean. The Lord responded to the brother of Jared’s humble plea in a miraculous way. He prepared the stones to shine. They gave light unto the vessels, and they gave light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.
There are too many of Heavenly Father’s children who, for one reason or another, cross the great waters of this life in darkness - in the darkness of sin, the darkness of evil, the darkness of loneliness and isolation, the darkness of suffering, the darkness of pain, and the darkness of ignorance. The Lord does not work in darkness (2 Nephi 26:23), and He needs us, the children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5) to shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:15) Jesus taught:
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
There is another great parable in the brother of Jared’s shining stones. The Lord’s missionaries travel two by two (like the two stones for each barge), visiting the homes and families (barges) of those who desire for God to prevail in their lives. They carry the Lord’s light with them to shine forth in a dark world, bringing light to men, women, and children.
With food, water, light, and sealed barges, the brother of Jared and his people were ready to embark on their journey to the Promised Land. Amazingly, they even brought animals from their flocks and herds with them. There were many people who entered into the eight barges. The brother of Jared had twenty-two sons and daughters. Jared had four sons and eight daughters. Jared and his brother also had about twenty-two friends who begat sons and daughters before they came to the promised land. If my calculations are correct - 2 (the brother of Jared and his wife) + 2 (Jared and his wife) + 22 (sons and daughters of the brother of Jared) + 12 (sons and daughters of Jared) + 22 (friends of Jared and his brother) + unknown number (sons and daughters of the friends of Jared and his brother) - the brother of Jared’s crew consisted of more than 60 people. This means that there were probably more than eight people in each barge. In barges that were about the length of a tree, and with food, animals, and other supplies, there probably wasn’t much space in the barges.
It wasn’t an easy trip either. Imagine 344 days upon the ocean, with mountainous waves crashing, winds blowing, and barges submerging and re-emerging from the water. When the brother of Jared and his crew entered the barges and set forth upon the sea, they commended themselves to the Lord. With their sealed barges, supplies, and light from the stones, they brother of Jared and his people relied entirely upon the Lord for almost a year as He transported them by winds and currents to the Promised Land. Imagine this voyage:
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.
And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
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 Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. (Ether 6:5-8)
What lessons can we learn from this voyage? What might the furious winds, the mountain waves, the terrible tempests, and deep waters represent in our lives? What might the tightness of the barges (like the ark of Noah) represent? Perhaps the most obvious answer is that trials and opposition in our lives can drive us closer to the Promised Land of Eternal Life if we keep the commandments and covenants of the Lord. Furthermore, even though there was nothing that the brother of Jared and his people could possibly do when their barges were buried deep in the water, they still cried unto the Lord. When we are buried deep in trials beyond our mortal capacities to endure, we too cry unto the Lord who brings us forth again.
How did the brother of Jared and his people possibly endure almost a year inside the barges? They sang:
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. (Ether 6:9)
Nephi did the same during their perilous journey across the ocean:
Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions. (1 Nephi 18:16)]
Gratitude and hymns go along way in carrying us through the trials of mortality. Miraculously, the barges remained secure throughout the entire journey, and they had light throughout the entire journey. The brother of Jared’s preparation of the barges, and the Lord’s preparation of the stones produced the miracle that transported the entire crew safely to the Promised Land.