Ether 3:13-19 Because thou knowest...

13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you

If faith is a hope for things which are not seen, but which are true, then based on the quote above,  the brother of Jared was beyond faith even upon his initial conversation with the Lord. Christ said, "Because thou knowest these things...I show myself unto you" (Ether 3:13). Jared's brother knew. He didn't hope, and it didn't matter that the Lord was not seen; somehow, all that mattered to him was that he had witnessed enough to know God the Son.

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 14 Behold I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. 

What does it mean to be both the Father & the Son? The footnote next to the word "Father" directs readers to Mosiah 15:2-4, which reads,

"And because he dwelleth in the flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son - The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God, and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son - And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth."

So in addition to being conceived by Heavenly Father's power, it is Christ's submission to God's will is what makes Him both "the Father and the Son." Specifically, it's the flesh seems to play a key role, likely because it was necessary for Christ to live on earth in order to act according to God's will.

Could it also be that, the fact that the Savior created both the Heavens and the earth makes him a "Father?" He created life under Heavenly Father's supervision; the creation of life makes him a father.

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Two other scriptures of importance...

15 And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image.

19 And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus...and he had faith no longer, for He knew, nothing doubting. 

 Just as the First Vision provided us with the knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's bodies, so too does the brother of Jared's account of Christ. What's most remarkable is that Jared's brother was the first up to that point to ever have seen Christ's body.

A final point: once again, notice how important the brother of Jared's absolute knowledge of Christ is. The Lord tells him that He revealed Himself to him because he "believed in me as thou hast," and "He knew, nothing doubting" (Ether 3:15; 19).

 

Ether 2:12 - If they will but serve Christ

12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

Two things stand out in the verse above. The first: Christ is the "God of this land" (Ether 2:12).  The second: This land could very much represent the Celestial Kingdom. These two concepts work hand in hand, really.
Christ is declared the God of this land. But isn't Christ the God of all the earth and of all mankind? Why take the time to point specifically at this land and declare Christ as the God of it? Likely because this land is promised. It is choice above all other lands. It has been especially set aside for the righteous and holy.
So what does this have to do with the Celestial Kingdom? Well, think about it; Christ is the God of this land, which has been especially set aside for His people and for the righteous. Those who practice iniquity will be wiped from off of the face of it. Likewise, we become celestial beings as we serve the master and seek after His will. The Celestial Kingdom has been especially set aside for those whom accept the gospel and live the commandments.

Ether 2 - "What will ye that I should do?"

The Lord prepares the brother of Jared and his family for the Promised Land in Ether 2, providing them directions through the wilderness and instructions on how to build barges which could take them across the sea. It’s mentioned that the Lord has preserved the “land of promise” for a “righteous people,” and that whoever is given possession of the land, “from that time henceforth and forever, should serve…the true and only God” (Ether 2:8). When the people of the land no longer serve God and are “ripened in their iniquity,” God’s wrath shall fall upon them, and they “shall be swept off” of the face of the land (Ether 2:11). Furthermore, the Lord promises that any nation occupying this land shall maintain freedom and liberty, so long as they continually serve Christ.

            It’s difficult to determine whether or not historical events can be deemed the “wrath of God” or not. Clearly throughout history, the American continent has managed to maintain freedom, even at times of World War. Still, there are moments where it’s clear that we have paid for our sins, most notably during the American Civil War. Regardless, we have reason to be a hopeful people, given these covenants which the Lord makes with Jared. This is a blessed and promised land and will always be a land of liberty so long as we serve God; what an incredible thought. While I understand the concern so many have regarding America’s religiosity, given that a recent Pew or Gallup survey (I forget which) found that more than 80% of Americans still pray daily, I think we haven’t drifted too far just yet.  

           

A Few Other Thoughts…

·         The brother of Jared, apparently, fails to call upon the Lord for four years. How? Beats me. For a guy who has literally spoken to Christ and heard His voice, it’s amazing that he forgot to pray. Apparently, the Lord agreed, as He chastens him for failing to call upon Him. He mentions that the brother of Jared is forgiven this time, but that he should not sin again, for if he does, he will lose the Land of Promise. Clearly constant communication with God is important should we hope to maintain our liberty.

·         When the brother of Jared asks the Lord how they should light the barges which they have built, the Lord responds, “What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?” (Ether 2:23). The lesson here? When we pray, the answer to our prayers is so often simple and right in front of us. While Heavenly Father and the Savior provides us direction, we do have agency, and there’s no reason for them to offer solutions to every single solitary issue. God sent us to earth because He trusts us; He knows that we have the gifts and talents necessary to endure life on this earth. So long as our decisions are in compliance with His Gospel and laws, there are times where he may simply want us to make a decision ourselves.

Ether 1 - Inquire of the Lord

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)