Moroni, Ether, and the Fall

Shut Out

In his account of the brother of Jared and his people, Moroni uses language from the story of the Fall of Man found in Genesis and the restored account in the book of Moses. The Genesis account of the Fall says that, following Adam’s transgression, the Lord "drove out the man" (Genesis 3:24). After he murdered his brother Abel, Cain also remarked that God had "driven me out" (Genesis 4:14). Jared asks his brother to "go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go" (Ether 1:38). Later, the brother of Jared notes that the Lord had "driven us forth" (Ether 2:15). The departure from the land of the great tower into the wilderness was like being driven out of the Garden of Eden into the painful and difficult world.

Other words in the account highlight the separation between the Jaredites and God during their journey. After they transgressed, Adam and Eve are said to have "hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God" (Genesis 3:8). Cain is likewise described as being separated from "the presence of the Lord" (Genesis 4:16). This separation is amplified in the book of Moses where, after they had been driven out of the garden, the Lord did not converse with man face to face as He had before. "And they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence" (Moses 5:4).

Moroni describes the brother of Jared's encounters with the Lord during their wilderness journey using similar wording. Moroni wrote, "The Lord came down and talked with the brother of Jared; and he was in a cloud, and the brother of Jared saw him not"(Ether 2:4). Later, as they continued their journey, the Lord "did talk with them as he stood in a cloud" (Ether 2:5). After being driven out of the land of their origin (Ether 1:38; 3:3), the Jaredites are represented as being like Adam and Eve after being driven out of the garden, who only heard the Lord’s voice giving them commandments. It is also interesting that Moroni’s wording "saw him not" does not come from the Genesis account, but from the account in the book of Moses, which was restored by Joseph Smith.

Personal application

By using language from the account of the Fall of Man, Moroni sets up the story of the brother of Jared as a story that shows the pattern of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. As you read the account in the book of Ether, ponder the many ways that the Lord was merciful to the Jaredites during their difficult journey. Identify the many ways the Lord is kind and merciful to you, as you travel through an often dark and dreary world.

Calling Upon the Name

One insight about the Fall of Man is not found in Genesis, but was restored in the book of Moses. After they were driven out of the garden, Adam and Eve called upon the name of the Lord in prayer. "And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord" (Moses 5:4). God sent an angel commanding them, "Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore" (Moses 5:8). It is clear that Adam and Eve were obedient and followed this pattern of prayer, which included the principle of repentance, throughout their lives. "And Adam and Eve, his wife, ceased not to call upon God" (Moses 5:16).

When he and his people were driven out of their homeland, the brother of Jared had already established a pattern of crying unto God for blessings and counsel (Ether 1:34-39, 43). At one point, however, the brother of Jared became neglectful of this commandment and was reproved for it. As the Lord stood in the cloud, He chastened the brother of Jared "because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord. And the brother of Jared repented of the evil which he had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren who were with him" (Ether 2:14-15). It is clear that this practice of calling upon the name of the Lord included the principle of repentance, as it had been taught long before in the time of Adam and Eve. As he faithfully continued this pattern, the brother of Jared was greatly blessed.

Personal application

As Moroni describes, the brother of Jared followed the pattern revealed and taught to Adam and Eve of repenting and calling upon the name of the Lord. Even though the Jaredites were not yet prepared to enter the presence of God, the principle of righteous prayer helped them continue in the covenant path and receive the guidance and blessings that they needed in their journey.

As you read the account of the brother of Jared and his people, ponder what weakness you need to overcome by calling upon your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. As it was with the brother of Jared and his people, this can be a source of comfort and power that will help us more fully appreciate how the Lord loves us and helps us, as we face the challenges in our lives.

Returning to the Tree

The revelation of the Lord touching with His finger the stones presented by the brother of Jared (Ether 3:6) is presented by Moroni as a reversal of the Fall by partaking of the forbidden fruit. Adam was commanded not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17): "neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die" (Genesis 3:3). Contrary to this commandment, the man "put forth his hand" (Genesis 3:22) and partook, resulting in death and mankind being cut off from God’s presence.

In Ether, however, the brother of Jared did not put forth his hand, but humbly asked the Lord to do so by touching the stones he had prepared to give them light. Moroni then says that "the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger" to provide light for the man and his people (Ether 3:6). In contrast to Genesis, the man did not attempt to usurp knowledge for himself in violation of a commandment, but asked the Lord to touch what he had prepared and offered in faith and humility. Adam’s eyes were opened after he partook of the forbidden fruit, just as the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, allowing him to see the finger of the Lord.

When man fell, he was afraid and hid himself because of his nakedness before God. When the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord unveiled before his eyes, he too was afraid and "fell" to the ground. Having exercised patience and faith, with his eyes now opened, and at the Lord’s initiative, the man was shown all things and commanded to write them down and then hide them up.

The forbidden fruit of the tree could make one wise (Genesis 3:6). The Lord commanded that the things Jared’s brother had seen and written should be hidden up and sealed. Joseph Smith was commanded to "touch them not; ... for that thing," like the fruit of the tree of knowledge, "is forbidden you, except… it shall be wisdom in God" (Ether 5:1). As partaking of the fruit brought death and caused man to be cast out of God’s presence, the Lord’s response to another man’s faith gave him knowledge and brought him back into His presence for eventual eternal life (Ether 3:14).

Personal application

Moroni’s use of language from the Fall of Adam and Eve helps to underscore how we, as fallen creatures in a mortal world, can be redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ, and how we can approach God and be recognized and blessed. Just as the brother of Jared was joyfully surprised by what he learned, we too can be blessed and rejoice as we follow the pattern provided in Moroni’s account.

As you read the brother of Jared’s story, consider how a knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel can open your eyes to the joys made possible through our Heavenly Father’s plan. Humility, patience, and faithful diligence before the Lord will open the windows of heaven to greater happiness.

Good Knowledge

Consider the language related to knowledge used by the Lord and Moroni in the story of the brother of Jared. In Ether, divinely given knowledge brings salvation, rather than death. Previous to his remarkable vision, Jared’s brother "knew not" that the Lord had a body (Ether 3:8). Later, the Lord says, "Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall" (Ether 3:13). Where previously, partaking of the fruit resulted in man’s fall, expulsion, and death, receiving the true knowledge of God through faith resulted in his redemption. That knowledge was given "that this man might know that he was God" (Ether 3:18). "And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil . . . for he knew, nothing doubting" (Ether 3:19). He had "this perfect knowledge of God" (Ether 3:20), and "he knew that the Lord could show him all things" (Ether 3:26).

Moroni also reminds us that those who believe these things will also receive the Spirit, and "shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit, he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good. And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good" (Ether 4:11-12).

The Lord also invites us, the readers of this account, to come unto Him, so that He can show us "the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief" (Ether 4:13). He invites us all, like the brother of Jared, to rend the veil of unbelief that causes us to remain in in a state of blindness. The Lord wants us to open our eyes, and when they are, "then shall [we] know" (Ether 4:15-17).

Personal application

The Lord will provide knowledge to the faithful and obedient, but, as Moroni’s account of the brother of Jared shows, it must be sought, and can only be found in the Lord’s way. The brother of Jared obtained knowledge through persistent faith, repentance, obedience, and prayer. Having proven to the Lord that he was willing to follow this righteous pattern, the Lord blessed him with great knowledge.

Moroni frames these blessings of knowledge in language from the Fall of Man, in which a knowledge of good things is not taken by man, but generously provided by the Lord, once a person has shown they are capable, willing, and worthy to receive it. As you read the story of Jared’s brother, ponder how you can wisely use the knowledge of good that the Lord provides to bless the lives of others.

Side-by-side Verses

Genesis	Ether
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it,* lest ye die* (Genesis 3:3). Lest he put forth his hand* and take also of the tree of life* (Genesis 3:22).	And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch* these stones, O Lord, with thy finger* (Ether 3:4). Behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand* and touched the stones one by one with his finger* (Ether 3:6).
And the eyes of them both were opened (Genesis 3:7).	And the veil was taken from off the eyes* of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord* (Ether 3:6).
And the Lord called unto Adam, and said unto him,Where art thou? (Genesis 3:9).	And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast thou fallen? (Ether 3:7).
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid,* because I was naked; and I hid myself* (Genesis 3:10).	And the brother of Jared was struck with fear (Ether 3:6). And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared* lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood* (Ether 3:8).
[Adam and Eve know that they are naked before the Lord and try to cover themselves and hide] (Genesis 3:7-10).	[The brother of Jared sees the unveiled [naked] finger of the Lord and is afraid and falls down before the Lord] (Ether 3:6).
[The Lord clothes Adam and Eve with coats of skins] (Genesis 3:21).	[The Lord shows the body of His Spirit to the brother of Jared] (Ether 3:13-20).
[Adam and Eve *hide* from the Lord] (Genesis 3:8, 10).	[The Lord reveals to the brother of Jared a knowledge of many things and then commands him to write them all down and *hide* them up] (Ether 3:21-28; 4:3).
Neither shall ye touch* it lest ye die* (Genesis 3:3).	[The Lord tells the translator of the record] I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore, touchthem not in order that ye may translate (Ether 5:1).
The woman saw that the tree was good . . . and a tree to be desired to make one wise (Genesis 3:6).	For that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom* in God* (Ether 5:1).
[Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord] (Genesis 3:8).	Ye are brought back into my presence (Ether 3:13).
Ye shall surely die (Genesis 2:17).	Ye are redeemed from the fall. . . . In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally (Ether 3:13-14).
Ye shall be as the gods (Genesis 3:5). Behold, the man is become as one of us (Genesis 3:22).	They shall become my sons and daughters (Ether 3:14).
Knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:22).	Because thou knowest* these things ye are redeemed from the fall* (Ether 3:13).