I find it curious as to why we do
not know the brother of Jared’s name. I wonder if it’s to offer readers a
chance to recognize and understand the example of Jared’s faith and humility.
We know Jared’s name, and we know the Jaredites are to be named after him; he’s
clearly a leader and is to become a powerful man. Yet we also know that Jared
is not the one who is “highly favored of the Lord,” and that he relies on his
brother for revelation and communication with God. Given these facts, the fact
that he didn’t go all “Laman and Lemual” on everyone says a lot about Jared’s
character. It also tells us quite a bit about his faith, as he was totally
reliant on his brother for answers, never doubting the things which he
suggested.
When it comes to that revelation
received by the Brother of Jared in Ether 1, a pattern has developed. Jared
instructs his brother to “Go and inquire of the Lord,” after which he does
(Ether 1:34). He then returns to Jared with an answer (Ether 41). The key to
this pattern is that Jared acts in faith and suggests that his brother pray for
answers; they go to the Lord, they don’t wait for the Lord to come to them. At
one point, Heavenly Father even says, “And thus I will do unto thee because
this long time ye have cried unto me (Ether 1:41). We must ask the Lord and
present Him with all things that dwell within our hearts and minds. Then will
we receive confirmation of either comfort and peace or conflict and struggle
regarding those things which we are inquiring of.
(Written January 2,
2016)
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