Ether 4

Crucifixion

And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out of the mount from the presence of the Lord, and write the things which he had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of men until after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people. Ether 4:1

'He' is the Lord who appeared on the mount, and Moroni says He would be lifted up on the cross. The Lord of the Jaredites is the one crucified at Calvary.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Ether 3:21 — Explains 'until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh'.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:14 — Christ: 'that I might be lifted up upon the cross'.
• alludes to John 12:32 — 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.'

Appearance to the Nephites

Christ — the Anointed One

And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out of the mount from the presence of the Lord, and write the things which he had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of men until after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people. Ether 4:1–2

Moroni names Christ and points to His real visit to the Nephites after His Resurrection. After that visit Christ allowed the brother of Jared's writings to be made known.

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

• the same event in 3 Nephi 11:8-10 — Christ shows Himself to His people at the temple in Bountiful.

Gospel of Christ

And now, after that, they have all dwindled in unbelief; and there is none save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should hide them up again in the earth. Ether 4:3

The gospel belongs to Christ and is named after Him. Rejecting it is why the record had to be hidden again.

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

• the same title in 3 Nephi 27:13-21 — Christ defines 'the gospel which I have given unto you'.

Faith in Christ

For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord. Ether 4:6–7

The Lord speaking to Moroni is Jesus Christ, and He promises greater revelation to those who exercise faith in Him and are made holy in Him. Holiness comes through Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Ether 3:25-26 — The brother of Jared's faith let the Lord show him all things.
• the same title in Moroni 10:32-33 — Sanctified in Christ by the grace of God.

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. Ether 4:7

The speaker signs His words with His own name. These are the words of Jesus Christ Himself.

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

• the same title in Ether 3:14 — 'Behold, I am Jesus Christ.'

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Eternal Father

And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. Ether 4:7

Jesus calls Himself the Son of God, the Son of Heavenly Father. The 'Father' title that follows does not erase this relationship.

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

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — 'Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth.'

Father of the Heavens and of the Earth

Father of heaven and earth — Christ as the Creator of all things

And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. Ether 4:7

Christ is called the Father of heaven and earth because He created them under the direction of Heavenly Father. Everything in them came from His hand.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — 'The Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning.'
• the same title in Helaman 14:12 — 'Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things.'

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh. Ether 4:8

Jesus Christ again names Himself and insists He is the one speaking. Rejecting these words means rejecting Him.

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

Creator

And at my command the heavens are opened and are shut; and at my word the earth shall shake; and at my command the inhabitants thereof shall pass away, even so as by fire. Ether 4:9

Christ describes His power over heaven and earth and the burning at the end of the world. The Creator commands His creation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 2 Nephi 26:4-6 — The proud consumed as stubble at the last day.

Christ the Judge

And he that believeth not my words believeth not my disciples; and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye; for ye shall know that it is I that speaketh, at the last day. Ether 4:10

Christ says that at the Judgment every person will know these were His words. He is the one before whom all will stand.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Moroni 10:27 — At the bar of God the Lord will say, 'Did I not declare my words unto you?'
• the same event in Ether 5:6 — Moroni: 'ye shall know... when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day'.

Light of Christ (all good is of Him)

But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he 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. Ether 4:11–12

Christ says every good impulse comes from Him, and that His Spirit testifies these words are true. Anything that invites people to do good leads to Him.

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 Moroni 7:16-17 — The Spirit of Christ given to every man; whatever invites to do good is of God.

I AM

I AM — the self-existent covenant name of Jehovah (Exodus 3:14)

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; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Ether 4:12

'That I am' echoes the name God gave Moses at the burning bush. Christ is saying He is the great I AM, Jehovah.

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 3:14 — 'I AM THAT I AM.'
• the same title in John 8:58 — 'Before Abraham was, I am.'
• the same title in D&C 29:1 — 'Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM.'

Son sent by the Father

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; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Ether 4:12

Christ says the Father sent Him, so believing in the Son and believing in the Father go together. He is the Father's messenger and Son.

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

• alludes to John 12:44 — 'He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.'

The Father (Christ as Father)

Father — Christ as Creator and Father of the spiritually reborn

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; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Ether 4:12

In the same verse Christ says the Father sent Him and that He is the Father. He is a Father through creation and through making us His children, while still being Heavenly Father's Son.

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

• interpreted by Mosiah 15:2-4 — Abinadi explains Christ as both Father and Son.
• the same title in Ether 3:14 — 'I am the Father and the Son.'

Light of the World

Light, life and truth — Christ as the source of light, life and truth

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; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Ether 4:12

Christ claims to be the light, the life and the truth of the world. The same titles appear in John's Gospel.

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

• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'
• the same title in John 14:6 — 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'
• the same title in Mosiah 16:9 — 'He is the light and the life of the world.'

Come unto Christ

Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief. Ether 4:13–14

Christ personally invites both Gentiles and Israel to come to Him. Greater knowledge is waiting for those who come.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 11:28 — 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden.'

Praying to the Father in Christ's name

Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel. Ether 4:15

Christ teaches that we pray to the Father in His name, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, the offering He asks for instead of animal sacrifice.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 9:20 — 'Ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.'
• alludes to 3 Nephi 18:19-20 — 'Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name.'

Jesus Christ, revealer to John

And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed. Ether 4:16–17

Christ calls the book of Revelation 'my revelations' written by 'my servant John'. The coming forth of this record is a sign that the Father's latter-day work has begun.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 1:1 — 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ... unto his servant John.'
• alludes to 3 Nephi 21:7 — The coming forth of the record as a sign that the work of the Father has commenced.

Doctrine of Christ

Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name. Ether 4:18

Christ gives His doctrine in one sentence: repent, come to Him, believe, and be baptized in His name. Baptism in His name is the covenant that saves.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Mark 16:16-17 — Nearly the same words the risen Lord gave His apostles.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:33-34 — 'Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved.'

Faithful to His name

And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen. Ether 4:19

Those who stay true to Christ's name to the end will be lifted up into the kingdom prepared for them. Christ ends by saying again that He is the speaker.

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

• alludes to Matthew 25:34 — 'Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'