I almost named this post "The finger of the Lord". That probably wouldn't have had the effect I intended.
Ether 2-3 is one of the most vibrant parts of the Book of Mormon. It's personal, it's vivid in imagery, and it has some great insight into the nature of God and Jesus Christ. When the Lord is giving the brother of Jared instructions on how to cross the ocean, he asks, "What will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" (Ether 2:25)
I've always loved that verse. The Lord has just given a series of instructions about how to build barges to cross the ocean, but instead of giving more instructions he sees a real learning opportunity for the brother of Jared. Having light in the barges isn't a necessity of life, but something difficult to live without. He's willing to not only give the Jaredites this gift, but to see what idea the brother of Jared can come up with.
After the brother of Jared melts rock into sixteen small stones like transparent glass, he suggests, "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, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
"Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." (Ether 3:4-5)
This last verse makes me think about all the small miracles in life, how insignificant they seem if we're not looking for them and what great power the Lord must have used to bring them to pass. The brother of Jared doesn't wonder about the "rules" governing the Lord's power, or doubt the extent of it. He knows that the Lord is light and his simple faith witnesses to him that the Lord's touch will make the stones shine. He puts all his skill and effort into creating a worthy offering.
I won't recount what almost anyone else reading this already knows happens next. But the brother of Jared has such great faith that the veil falls from his eyes and he sees the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord tells him: "Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you." (Ether 3:13)
I never noticed that he says the brother of Jared is redeemed from the fall. Does he mean all the effects of the fall? Is he no longer mortal? Is he without sin? Or does it just mean that he can withstand the direct presence of a divine being?
Ether 2-3 is one of the most vibrant parts of the Book of Mormon. It's personal, it's vivid in imagery, and it has some great insight into the nature of God and Jesus Christ. When the Lord is giving the brother of Jared instructions on how to cross the ocean, he asks, "What will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" (Ether 2:25)
I've always loved that verse. The Lord has just given a series of instructions about how to build barges to cross the ocean, but instead of giving more instructions he sees a real learning opportunity for the brother of Jared. Having light in the barges isn't a necessity of life, but something difficult to live without. He's willing to not only give the Jaredites this gift, but to see what idea the brother of Jared can come up with.
After the brother of Jared melts rock into sixteen small stones like transparent glass, he suggests, "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, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
"Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." (Ether 3:4-5)
This last verse makes me think about all the small miracles in life, how insignificant they seem if we're not looking for them and what great power the Lord must have used to bring them to pass. The brother of Jared doesn't wonder about the "rules" governing the Lord's power, or doubt the extent of it. He knows that the Lord is light and his simple faith witnesses to him that the Lord's touch will make the stones shine. He puts all his skill and effort into creating a worthy offering.
I won't recount what almost anyone else reading this already knows happens next. But the brother of Jared has such great faith that the veil falls from his eyes and he sees the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord tells him: "Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you." (Ether 3:13)
I never noticed that he says the brother of Jared is redeemed from the fall. Does he mean all the effects of the fall? Is he no longer mortal? Is he without sin? Or does it just mean that he can withstand the direct presence of a divine being?
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