Ether 1-3
To be discussed March 15
1. Read Ether 1:1-33.
Who was Ether, after whom this book of scripture is named? When and why did Ether's ancestors leave the Old World?
2. Read Ether 1:34-43.
What was the first thing Jared asked his brother to pray for? What other inquiries did Jared ask his brother to pray about? How were their requests answered?
3. Read Ether 2:1-12.
What did Jared's people take with them as they left their homeland? How did they know which way to go?
BONUS: Identify the IF-THEN statement in Ether 2:12.
4. Read Ether 2:13-21.
How long did Jared's people live in tents near the sea at Moriancumer? How long and for what reason was the brother of Jared chastened by the Lord? Once he had repented, what assignment did Jared's brother receive from the Lord?
5. Read Ether 2:22-25, Ether 3:1-5, with footnote to Genesis 6:16.
How was the brother of Jared forced to improve his prayer life? How did he act in faith?
BONUS: List elements of the brother of Jared's prayer.
6. Read Ether 3:6-16.
What was the result of the brother of Jared's improved prayer life and act of faith? What did he learn that he had not before known?
7. Read Ether 3:17-28.
What did Moroni identify as the result of having perfect knowledge of God? How was the brother of Jared instructed to record his experiences?
Discussion on Ether 1-6
Links to Related Articles:
"The Brother of Jared: An Expert at Learning," Henry B. Eyring, July 1978 Ensign
"Agency or Inspiration," Bruce R. McConkie, January 1975 New Era
"The Allegory of the Lights," Jonna M. Forbes, February 1995 Ensign
"Blessings of the Gospel Available to All," Joseph W. Sitati, November 2009 Ensign
"As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten," D. Todd Christofferson, May 2011 Ensign
"Lessons from the Atonement That Help Us to Endure to the End," Robert D. Hales, November 1985 Ensign
Articles from Book of Mormon Central:
Why does the Book of Ether begin with such a long genealogy?
Where does the word "Deseret" come from?
Why did Moroni use temple imagery while telling the Brother of Jared story?
Jared and His Brother, Thomas Valleta