Ether 1:1-6 The 24 Gold Plates
Cross reference: Omni 1:20-22; Mosiah 8:9; 21:27; 22:14; 28:11; Alma 37:21-32.
Ether 1:33-43 The Promise of a Promised Land
Have students read these verses and compare the events associated with the Jaredites to the experiences of Lehi’s family in 1 Nephi. How are these experiences symbolic of experiences families face today? Cross-reference: D&C 64:23-24; 133:14.
Ether 2:1-8 The Desire of the Lord
In Ether 1:42 the Lord declared that he would “go before” Jared and his people to “a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth”. What evidence is there in Ether 2:1-8 to suggest that the Lord did go before the Jaredites? What evidence to you have in your own life that the Lord is “going before” you?
Ether 2:9-12 Moroni’s Commentary
Moroni appears to follow the pattern of his father, Mormon, when he makes these remarks. He is offering commentary on what he has read from the plates. What important message is he sending to those who will one day read his record? What specific people is the message addressed to?
Ether 2:13-15 The Lord Chastens the Brother of Jared
Have students read Ether 1:33-2:5 and list each time that the Brother of Jared called upon the Lord. Remind students that the Lord was guiding the Jaredites to “the land of promise” (Ether 2:7). Why would the Lord chastise the Brother of Jared? Why would it not be wise to assume that the Lord has given you all the blessings that you can receive from him? Why would it be unwise to stop seeking direction from the Lord assuming that you were where he wanted you to be? What was the “evil” spoken of in Ether 2:15?
Ether 2:16-25 Two Great Problems
The Lord gave the Brother of Jared a design for a vessel to take them across the “great water”. There were two problems with the design. Why would the Lord give the Brother of Jared an incomplete design? How did the Lord respond to the two design questions? What ways can the Lord help us when we find ourselves in difficulties not of our creation?
Ether 3:1-5 The Brother of Jared’s Plan
The Lord gave the Brother of Jared the solution to his problem of lack of air. The Brother of Jared had to come up with a plan to bring light into the vessels. What was his plan? What words would you use to describe the way the Brother of Jared approached the Lord with his plan? How should we approach the Lord with our own plans?
Ether 3:6-16 The Lord Manifests Himself to the Brother of Jared
Cross reference: Omni 1:20-22; Mosiah 8:9; 21:27; 22:14; 28:11; Alma 37:21-32.
Ether 1:33-43 The Promise of a Promised Land
Have students read these verses and compare the events associated with the Jaredites to the experiences of Lehi’s family in 1 Nephi. How are these experiences symbolic of experiences families face today? Cross-reference: D&C 64:23-24; 133:14.
Ether 2:1-8 The Desire of the Lord
In Ether 1:42 the Lord declared that he would “go before” Jared and his people to “a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth”. What evidence is there in Ether 2:1-8 to suggest that the Lord did go before the Jaredites? What evidence to you have in your own life that the Lord is “going before” you?
Ether 2:9-12 Moroni’s Commentary
Moroni appears to follow the pattern of his father, Mormon, when he makes these remarks. He is offering commentary on what he has read from the plates. What important message is he sending to those who will one day read his record? What specific people is the message addressed to?
Ether 2:13-15 The Lord Chastens the Brother of Jared
Have students read Ether 1:33-2:5 and list each time that the Brother of Jared called upon the Lord. Remind students that the Lord was guiding the Jaredites to “the land of promise” (Ether 2:7). Why would the Lord chastise the Brother of Jared? Why would it not be wise to assume that the Lord has given you all the blessings that you can receive from him? Why would it be unwise to stop seeking direction from the Lord assuming that you were where he wanted you to be? What was the “evil” spoken of in Ether 2:15?
Ether 2:16-25 Two Great Problems
The Lord gave the Brother of Jared a design for a vessel to take them across the “great water”. There were two problems with the design. Why would the Lord give the Brother of Jared an incomplete design? How did the Lord respond to the two design questions? What ways can the Lord help us when we find ourselves in difficulties not of our creation?
Ether 3:1-5 The Brother of Jared’s Plan
The Lord gave the Brother of Jared the solution to his problem of lack of air. The Brother of Jared had to come up with a plan to bring light into the vessels. What was his plan? What words would you use to describe the way the Brother of Jared approached the Lord with his plan? How should we approach the Lord with our own plans?
Ether 3:6-16 The Lord Manifests Himself to the Brother of Jared
The Brother of Jared saw the Lord.
In Ether 4:4 Moroni says that the things the Brother of Jared saw were the greatest things ever seen by anyone. Have students find verses that would explain why the Lord was so gracious to the Brother of Jared. What had the Brother of Jared done to prove his faith in the Lord? How had the Brother of Jared responded to chastisement? What was the Brother of Jared willing to do to comply with the Lord’s commandments?
Ether 3:14 Jesus Christ is the Father and the Son
Cross-reference: Ether 4:7; Mosiah 15:2-5, 10-12.
Ether 3:17-28 The Lord Could Not Withhold Anything from the Brother of Jared
The Brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord, the spirit body of Jesus Christ before he was born in the flesh, and all those who would ever live upon the earth. According to these verses, why did the Lord give the Brother of Jared these great privileges?
Ether 4:1-19 Commentary by Moroni
Have students find things they can do to receive spiritual experiences similar to those that the Brother of Jared had.
Ether 5:1-6 A Message to the Three Witnesses
What direction does Moroni give Joseph Smith concerning those who may see the plates? Cross-reference: D&C 17:1-9.
Ether 6:1-12 The Journey to the Promised Land
Have students read these verses and compare the journey of the Jaredites to the promised land with their own journey from wherever they are to the presence of God. What must we do to have the light of Christ in our lives as we make our journey back to the Father?
Ether 6:13-30 This Thing Leadeth to Captivity
In Ether 6: 23 the Brother of Jared said, “Surely this thing leadeth to captivity.” Read verses 13-30 and see what thing would lead the Jaredites to be captives. What things lead us to be captives?
