Ether 12
People in this chapter
The chapter opens with Ether. In the days of Coriantumr he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, and he cried repentance from the morning, even until the going down of the sun (vv. 2-3). He taught that hope in God maketh an anchor to the souls of men (v. 4). The people did not believe him, because they saw them not (v. 5).
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Ether 12:1-5Ether Could Not Be Restrained
1And it came to pass that the days of Ether were in the days of Coriantumr; and Coriantumr was king over all the land. 2And Ether was a prophet of the Lord; wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him. 3For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled—
Ether was a prophet in the days of King Coriantumr. The Spirit was so strong in him that he could not stay quiet. He preached all day long, calling the people to believe in God and repent.
4Wherefore, 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. 5And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not.
Ether taught that if we believe in God, we can have a sure hope of a better world. That hope is like an anchor that keeps us steady. The people didn't believe him because they couldn't see what he was talking about.
Ether 12:6-12After the Trial of Your Faith
6And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
Here Moroni starts speaking for himself. He says faith means hoping for things we can't see yet, and that we receive a witness only after our faith has been tried.
7For 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. 8But 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. 9Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.
Moroni says the risen Christ appeared to the Nephites because they had faith in Him. Because of that faith, others can also share in the heavenly gift.
10Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God. 11Wherefore, 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. 12For 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.
Moroni says that priesthood callings, the law of Moses, and the gift of Jesus Christ all came by faith. Without faith God does no miracles among people.
Ether 12:13-22They First Believed in the Son of God
13Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. 14Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost. 15Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. 16Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after. 17And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith. 18And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.
Moroni lists miracles from Nephite history. Every one of them came after faith in Jesus Christ.
19And 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. 20And 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. 21And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil. 22And 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.
Some people had such strong faith that they saw what they had believed. The brother of Jared was one. Moroni says the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded him to write this record.
Ether 12:23-29I Will Make Weak Things Become Strong
23And 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; 24And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them. 25Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.
Moroni tells the Lord he is worried. He can speak powerfully, but he is not good at writing, and he fears the people who read his record will mock it.
26And 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; 27And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
28Behold, 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. 29And 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;
The Lord says faith, hope, and charity bring people to Him. Moroni was comforted and said, Let Thy will be done.
Ether 12:30-37This Love Is Charity
30For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove—and it was removed. And if he had not had faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith. 31For 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. 32And 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.
Moroni reminds the Lord that He always works after people have faith. He also says that the Lord has prepared a place among the mansions of the Father, and that we must have hope to receive it.
33And 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. 34And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.
35Wherefore, 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. 36And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. 37And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father.
Moroni prays that the Gentiles will receive grace to have charity. The Lord tells Moroni he has been faithful, and because he has seen his weakness, he will be made strong.
Ether 12:38-41Seek This Jesus
38And 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. 39And 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; 40And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing. 41And 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.
Moroni says farewell until we meet at the judgment. He testifies that he has seen Jesus face to face, and he invites everyone to seek Jesus.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- FaithScriptures on faith as things hoped for and not seen, and the miracles that follow it (vv. 6-22).
- HopeBackground for hope as an anchor to the souls of men (v. 4) and Moroni's teaching that man must hope (v. 32).
- WeaknessScriptures on weakness and the Lord's strength, including verse 27.
- GraceWhat the scriptures mean by the grace that is sufficient for all men (vv. 26-27).
- CharityThe pure love of Christ, which Moroni defines in verses 33-34.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Ether Could Not Be Restrained
- Hebrews 6:19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.
- Moroni 7:41-42Ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ... for without faith there cannot be any hope.
- Jeremiah 20:9His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones... and I could not stay.
- Alma 32:21If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
After the Trial of Your Faith
- Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
- 1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire.
- Alma 32:21Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things.
- Matthew 13:58He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
- Alma 13:3Called and prepared from the foundation of the world... on account of their exceeding faith and good works.
They First Believed in the Son of God
- Alma 14:28The Lord had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ.
- Helaman 5:44-45The Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts.
- 3 Nephi 28:7Ye shall never taste of death.The promise to the three disciples.
- Ether 3:9, 20Because of thy faith thou hast seen... he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus.
- Hebrews 11:13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off.
I Will Make Weak Things Become Strong
- 2 Corinthians 12:9My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
- 2 Nephi 33:11Ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
- Mormon 9:31Condemn me not because of mine imperfection.
- Alma 26:12As to my strength I am weak... but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.
- Moroni 10:32Then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.
This Love Is Charity
- John 14:2In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you.
- John 15:13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- Moroni 7:47Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.
- Moroni 10:20-21There must be faith... there must also be hope... there must also be charity.
- Matthew 25:28-29Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Seek This Jesus
- Moroni 10:34To meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead.
- Exodus 33:11The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
- Jacob 1:19By laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments.
- 2 Nephi 33:11You and I shall stand face to face before his bar.
- D&C 88:63Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.