Ether 12

Faith in Christ

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. Ether 12:4

Ether's image of hope as an anchor echoes Hebrews, where the anchor of hope reaches within the veil where Jesus has entered as our forerunner. The better world at God's right hand is where Christ sits and where He brings the faithful.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Hebrews 6:19-20 — hope as an anchor of the soul entering within the veil, whither Jesus entered as forerunner

Appearance to the Nephites

Christ — the Anointed One

For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world. Ether 12:7

Moroni names Christ and recalls how the resurrected Savior appeared to the Nephites. He came to them after they had faith in Him, showing that faith comes before the witness.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 3 Nephi 11:8-10 — the risen Christ descends and introduces Himself to the Nephites

Jesus Christ

But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen. Ether 12:8–9

"He" is Christ from verse 7. By showing Himself He glorified the Father and opened a way for all people to receive the heavenly gift if they have faith.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 17:4 — Christ: I have glorified thee on the earth
• alludes to Hebrews 6:4 — those who have tasted of the heavenly gift

Son of God

Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God. Ether 12:10

The holy order of God is the higher priesthood, whose full name is the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. Those called to it were called by faith in Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by D&C 107:3 — the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God
• alludes to Alma 13:1-2 — priests ordained after the order of his Son, looking forward to his Son for redemption

Son of God

Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled. Ether 12:11

God gave His Son as a gift, a more excellent way than the law of Moses. The law pointed to Christ and was fulfilled in Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 3:16 — God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son
• alludes to Hebrews 8:6 — Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry, mediator of a better covenant
• alludes to 3 Nephi 15:4-5 — the risen Christ declares the law of Moses fulfilled in him

Jesus Christ

For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. Ether 12:12

Moroni repeats that the Lord showed Himself only after faith, pointing back to Christ's appearance in verse 7.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Ether 12:7 — Christ showed not himself until after they had faith in him

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after. Ether 12:16

Christ's coming is the center point of history: miracles came by faith both before and after He came.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Son of God

Son of God — the divine Son of the Father

And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God. Ether 12:18

Every miracle worker first believed in the Son of God. Faith that works miracles is faith in Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Moroni 7:37 — miracles are wrought by faith

The premortal Christ

And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad. Ether 12:19

Even before Christ came in the flesh, people of great faith passed through the veil and saw with their eyes what they had seen by faith.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

The premortal Christ

And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith. Ether 12:20–21

Moroni recalls the brother of Jared seeing the finger of the Lord. In that vision the Lord showed Himself and said, I am Jesus Christ, so this is the premortal Savior appearing.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Ether 3:6-16 — the brother of Jared sees the finger and then the spirit body of the Lord, who declares I am Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ. Ether 12:22

Moroni names the Lord who commanded him as Jesus Christ. This tells us that "the Lord" who speaks throughout this chapter is Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Ether 3:14 — the Lord of the Jaredite record declares, I am Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ

And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them; Ether 12:23–25

Moroni speaks directly to the Lord, whom he has just named as Jesus Christ, confessing his fear that his weak writing will be mocked.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Ether 12:22 — the Lord addressed is even Jesus Christ

Grace

And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; Ether 12:26–27

Jesus Christ Himself answers Moroni. He gives weakness so people will be humble, and His grace makes weak things strong for those who come unto Him with faith.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 2 Corinthians 12:9 — the Lord to Paul: my grace is sufficient for thee: my strength is made perfect in weakness
• alludes to Jacob 4:7 — the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know it is by his grace

Fountain of All Righteousness

Fountain of all righteousness — the source from which all goodness flows

Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness. Ether 12:28

Christ calls Himself the fountain of all righteousness. Faith, hope, and charity bring people to Him, the source of all goodness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Ether 8:26 — that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved
• alludes to Jeremiah 2:13 — the LORD as the fountain of living waters

Jesus Christ

And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith; Ether 12:29–30

Comforted, Moroni submits to the Lord Jesus Christ's will and testifies that He works according to people's faith, as with the brother of Jared moving the mountain.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Appearance to the Nephites

For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power. Ether 12:31

Moroni reminds the Lord that He showed Himself in great power to His disciples after they had faith and spoke in His name.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 3 Nephi 19:15 — Jesus came and stood in the midst of the praying disciples

Jesus Christ

And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. Ether 12:32

Moroni recalls Christ's promise that He prepares a place for us in His Father's mansions. That promise gives hope of an eternal inheritance.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 14:2 — In my Father's house are many mansions ... I go to prepare a place for you

Atonement

And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. Ether 12:33–34

Christ loved the world enough to lay down His life and take it up again, and that love is what charity is. Without charity people cannot inherit the place He has prepared.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 10:17-18 — I lay down my life, that I might take it again
• alludes to John 15:13 — greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends
• alludes to Moroni 7:47 — charity is the pure love of Christ

Judgment

Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly. Ether 12:35

"Thou" is the Lord Jesus Christ. Moroni draws on the Savior's parable of the talents to teach that He will judge those who reject charity.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 25:28-29 — take therefore the talent from him ... unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance

Jesus Christ

And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. Ether 12:36–37

Jesus speaks again, promising faithful Moroni clean garments and a place He has prepared in His Father's mansions. "My Father" shows the Son speaking.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 14:2-3 — I go to prepare a place for you ... that where I am, there ye may be also

Judgment

Christ — the Anointed One

And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. Ether 12:38

Moroni says farewell until everyone meets at Christ's judgment seat. Jesus Christ is our final Judge.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Romans 14:10 — we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ
• alludes to Moroni 10:34 — Moroni again speaks of meeting before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah

Jesus

Jesus — Jehovah saves

And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; Ether 12:39

Moroni testifies that he has personally seen Jesus, who talked with him face to face in plain, humble words. It is an eyewitness testimony of the living Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 33:11 — the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen. Ether 12:41

Moroni's closing invitation is to seek Jesus, the one all prophets and apostles wrote about. He names the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost who bears record of them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 2 Corinthians 13:14 — the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost
• alludes to Acts 10:43 — to him give all the prophets witness