Ether 1:33-2:25

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The Book of Mormon > Ether > Chapter 1

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Questions

  • The brother of Jared is a central figure in the first chapters of Ether. He was, presumably, the spiritual leader and described as "a man highly favored of the Lord" (vs. 34). Why is he known to us, through The Book of Mormon, primarily in relation to his brother?
  • In verse 33 it mentions the scattering of the people after they had been confounded at the tower. Why is it that the Lord, whenever he is upset with His people he scatters them? Is there a specific reason? What effect is this supposed to have on the scattered people?

Why is the actual name of the Brother of Jared not given in the scriptures?

Lexical notes

  • Given the context it seems that the phrase "highly favored of the Lord" means someone that the Lord blesses. This is consistent with the way the phrase is used in the rest of the scriptures. Within the scriptures this phrase is only used in the Book of Mormon. Looking at the other times when this phrase is used, we see that it consistently is related to righteousness. When people are righteous the Lord favors them. When they are not righteous they are not favored. For examples, see the scripture search results for the phrase "favored of the Lord."

Exegesis

In verse 34 Jared goes to his brother to have him petition the Lord not to have their language confounded. It seems that Jared turns to his brother because Jared believes that if his brother prays, they are more likely to have their petition granted. Within the scriptures the phrase "favored of the Lord" is consistently used in the context of righteousness. The suggestion is that Jared believes his brother's petition will be answered because his brother has been righteous, maybe more righteous than he has been.

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