<< NEVER HAS MAN BELIEVED IN ME AS THOU HAST >>
Ether 1–6

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(1.) TRUE IDENTITY, HUMILITY OR PRIDE?
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Coming from the Tower of Babel area, Jared’s identity with the Lord and humility resulted in his language not being confounded. ". . . The building of the tower was an example of man's extreme pride in his own ability . . . when a builder fell off the tower to his death, the other builders paid no attention, but when a brick fell, they would cry: ‘When shall another come in its place?’ . . ." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(2.) GATHERING – A METAPHOR:
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The brother of Jared was told to gather seeds, animals and his family. Gathering is a strong metaphor of returning to Heavenly Father’s presence. The gathering of this Jaredite family was to the "north" at Nimrod. In north Israel, close to the Syrian border, is an old Crusader fortress called Nimrod’s castle. Nimrod is known as a Syrian warlord and hunter. ". . . Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD." (Genesis 10:9)

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(3.) SEA STORIES – CLEANSINGS: 
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In the accounts of Noah, Jared, Nephi, Jesus and Paul, each ship and tempest story has a lesson of salvation. Noah was led to save righteous life as the earth experienced a great tempest and flooding. The earth was cleansed, "baptized." (Genesis 8:18-20) Jared’s family experienced a tempest and was delivered and saved. (Ether 6:6-12) Jonah went down into the sea, only to come up, saved. Even those who cast him overboard were saved! Jonah became a sign of the atonement. (Jonah 1:11-16; Matthew 12:39-40) Nephi’s family also experienced a tempest brought on by unbelief. Through repentance God "turned the tide" and saved them. (1 Nephi 18:20-21) Jesus saved the Disciples in a tempest. (Matthew 8:23-25) Apostle Paul saved the crew of his ship after a violent tempest. (Acts 27:18-22)

Preparing "stones" for the Lord to touch for light has some Biblical precedence. "The use of glass for ornaments and practical vessels goes back to the third millenium B.C.E. . . produced in Egypt and Mesopotamia . . . in which Jews have often played a major role." ". . . mention of glass in the Bible occurs in Job 28:17, where it is equated with gold . . . Archaeological excavations have revealed glass objects in Erez Israel from as early as the 14th century B.C.E." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)


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(5.) THE BROTHER OF JARED HAD A NAME:  
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"While residing at Kirtland, Elder Reynolds Cahoon . . . called the Prophet . . . name the baby. Joseph . . . gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. Turning to Elder Cahoon he said . . . I have given your son . . . the name of the Brother of Jared; the Lord has . . . revealed it to me." (The Juvenile Instructor 27/8 [15April 1892]: 282)

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(6.) WORSHIP THE LORD, HAVE FREEDOM AND LIBERTY:   
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"The prophet . . . Mahonri Moriancumer . . . spoke of this land as a choice land . . . above all other lands . . . people who live here should worship the God of this land if they were to enjoy the blessings of freedom and liberty and be free from bondage (or) . . . be swept off . . ." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.575)

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(7.) FAITH, WORKS – THE MAHONRI FORMULA:      
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In reviewing the brother of Jared’s faith and works we see a formula emerging that we should follow 1. Identify the problem. 2. Consider possible solutions. 3. Make yourself worthy. 4. Develop humility. 5. Make a specific request.