Day 37 - Ether 3-8

[pam]

Ether 8:26 Come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved

Bruce R. McConkie
“Isaiah 12 tells of a millennial day when men shall ‘draw water out of the wells of salvation’; and Zechariah, speaking of that same day of peace and righteousness, tells how ‘living waters shall go out from Jerusalem’ (Zech. 14:8.)

“From all this it is perfectly clear that men must drink living water to be saved. As Moroni expressed it: ‘Come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.’ (Ether 8:26.) And the same truths flow from the same fountain yesterday, today, and forever.” (The Promised Messiah, p. 206)

[KeithLBrown]

These Bear Witnesses of the Truthfulness of the Book of Mormon
Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Scripture Reference: Ether 5

1 And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.
2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;
3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.
4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.
5 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.
6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.

THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

Oliver Cowdery
David Whitmer
Martin Harris

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "The Witness: Martin Harris," Ensign, May 1999, 35

While Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon, the Lord revealed that, in addition to the Prophet’s testimony, the world would have "the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things" (D&C 5:11; see also Ether 5:2–4; 2 Ne. 27:12–13). "They shall know of a surety that these things are true," the Lord declared, "for from heaven will I declare it unto them" (D&C 5:12).

The three men chosen as witnesses of the Book of Mormon were Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. Their written "Testimony of Three Witnesses" has been included in all of the almost 100 million copies of the Book of Mormon the Church has published since 1830.

People who deny the possibility of supernatural beings may reject this remarkable testimony, but people who are open to believe in miraculous experiences should find it compelling. The solemn written testimony of three witnesses to what they saw and heard—two of them simultaneously and the third almost immediately thereafter—is entitled to great weight. Indeed, we know that upon the testimony of one witness great miracles have been claimed and accepted by many religious people, and in the secular world the testimony of one witness has been deemed sufficient for weighty penalties and judgments.
Persons experienced in evaluating testimony commonly consider a witness’s opportunity to observe an event and the possibility of his bias on the subject. Where different witnesses give identical testimony about the same event, skeptics look for evidence of collusion among them or for other witnesses who could contradict them.

Measured against all of these possible objections, the testimony of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon stands forth in great strength. Each of the three had ample reason and opportunity to renounce his testimony if it had been false, or to equivocate on details if any had been inaccurate. As is well known, because of disagreements or jealousies involving other leaders of the Church, each one of these three witnesses was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by about eight years after the publication of their testimony. All three went their separate ways, with no common interest to support a collusive effort. Yet to the end of their lives—periods ranging from 12 to 50 years after their excommunications—not one of these witnesses deviated from his published testimony or said anything that cast any shadow on its truthfulness.

Furthermore, their testimony stands uncontradicted by any other witnesses. Reject it one may, but how does one explain three men of good character uniting and persisting in this published testimony to the end of their lives in the face of great ridicule and other personal disadvantage? Like the Book of Mormon itself, there is no better explanation than is given in the testimony itself, the solemn statement of good and honest men who told what they saw.

[Seanette]

Ether 2 – The Jaredites gather needed animals and supplies for their journey to the promised land. The Lord comes in a cloud and talks to the brother of Jared, telling him the group must go into the wilderness. The promised land is choice above all other. Its inhabitants shall serve God or be swept off. The group spend several years in the wilderness. The brother of Jared is chastened for neglecting to call upon the Lord and repents. He is granted forgiveness, but is cautioned that the Lord’s Spirit will not always strive with man. They build barges. The brother of Jared inquires about how to solve the problems of air and light in the barges. The Lord provides the solution for the air problem, but requires the brother of Jared to propose a solution for the light problem.
Ether 3 – The brother of Jared makes sixteen small stones from ore and takes them to a high mountain. He prays for forgiveness for himself and his group, then asks the Lord to touch them and cause them to give light. He sees the finger of the Lord doing this. Because of his exceeding faith, he is shown Christ’s spirit body. He has perfect knowledge and cannot be kept from within the veil. Interpreters are provided so that the Jaredite record can be brought forth in due time.
Ether 4 – Moroni is commanded to seal up the writings of the brother of Jared until such time as men have faith equal to his. Christ commands men to believe His words and those of His disciples. We are commanded to repent, believe the Gospel, and be saved.
Ether 5 – The testimony of three witnesses, and the work that will show God’s power, will testify against the world at the last day.
Ether 6 – The Jaredites make their journey to the promised land, with the barges being driven by wind. When they arrive, they praise God for His mercies. They multiply and spread out in the land. Jared and his brother grow old, and gather their descendants. They are asked to select one to be king. The brother of Jared considers this a mistake, saying the people will be led into captivity. Jared persuades his brother to comply. All the sons of the brother of Jared decline to be king, and the only son of Jared willing to become king is Orihah. Orihah rules in righteousness and the people prosper. Jared and his brother die.
Ether 7 – Orihah’s son Kib succeeds him as king. Kib’s son Corihor rebels and goes to the land at Nehor, drawing many away after him. He raises an army and goes to the land of Moron (where Kib rules), and takes Kib captive. This occurs near the area that will later be called Desolation by the Nephites. Kib begets Shule while in captivity. When Shule is grown, he overthrows his brother and restores the kingdom to Kib. Shule becomes king after Kib. Corihor repents of his acts. He fathers a son named Noah. Noah rebels and draws away many, including all his brothers. Noah overthrows and captures his uncle, whose sons kill Noah, free their father, and restore him to the throne. The country divides, with Shule ruling one part and Noah’s son Cohor ruling the other. Cohor starts a war with Shule, and is defeated and killed. Cohor’s son Nimrod surrenders his kingdom to Shule. Prophets call for repentance, with Shule’s support, and the people repent.