Ether — Narrative Events
64 narrative events.
atom_eth_01_005
Which Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered.
The departure of Jared and his brother and their families from the great tower is presented as being connected to the confounding of languages and divine punishment through scattering across the earth.
atom_eth_01_007
Then Jared said unto his brother: Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language.
And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon their friends and their families also, that they were not confounded.
The request for protection from Jared and his brother extends to their friends and families, with divine mercy expanding to include the community associated with them.
atom_eth_01_009
And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord according to that which had been spoken by the mouth of Jared.
And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother of Jared, and had compassion upon him, and said unto him:
The brother of Jared responds to his brother’s request with prayer, and the text shows that the Lord hears and responds with compassion, paving the way for a direct divine discourse.
atom_eth_02_001
And it came to pass that Jared and his brother, and their families, and also the friends of Jared and his brother and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and the name of the valley was Nimrod, being called after the mighty hunter) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind.
The text transitions the group to a northern valley named Nimrod, depicting them as they bring their families, friends, and complete flocks, establishing an image of an organized migrating community.
atom_eth_02_002
And they did also lay snares and catch fowls of the air; and they did also prepare a vessel, in which they did carry with them the fish of the waters.
The text highlights their efforts to secure food through hunting and preparing a vessel to carry fish, indicating practical planning for survival during the journey.
atom_eth_02_003
And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind.
They carry with them bees and seeds, along with everything necessary to plant life anew, signaling a project to establish a sustainable community.
atom_eth_02_004
And it came to pass that when they had come down into the valley of Nimrod the Lord came down and talked with the brother of Jared; and he was in a cloud, and the brother of Jared saw him not.
The Lord appears in a cloud and speaks with the brother of Jared without being seen, presenting a direct divine encounter that is nonetheless veiled from sight.
atom_eth_02_006
And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord.
Obedience transforms into practical movement: traveling in the wilderness and building vessels to cross waters, with the assurance that divine guidance was continuous.
atom_eth_02_012
And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord.
The Lord chastises the brother of Jared for not calling upon Him, and then the man repents and seeks forgiveness, illustrating the relationship between error, repentance, and divine forgiveness.
atom_eth_02_014
And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. … Therefore 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?
The brother of Jared returns to the Lord with a new problem: the vessels lack light, and crossing the deep sea threatens them with destruction, prompting him to seek a divine solution for light and protection.
atom_eth_03_001
went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass
The brother of Jared goes to Mount Shelem and extracts from the rock sixteen small stones that are white and clear, in a scene that connects the location to the preparatory act for the tool that will be used later.
atom_eth_03_005
the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared
The Lord directly responds by touching the stones, then the veil is lifted from the eyes of the brother of Jared, transforming the scene from a request to a visionary revelation.
atom_eth_04_002
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. And after Christ truly had showed himself unto his people he commanded that they should be made manifest.
The retention of these matters by King Mosiah is interpreted as a delaying measure until Christ shows Himself to His people, after which He commands that they be made manifest.
atom_eth_04_003
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.
The text describes the community’s decline into unbelief, with the exception of the Lamanites who rejected the gospel, leading to a command to hide the record in the earth once again.
atom_eth_06_002
the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels … And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children
After descending from the mountain, the brother of Jared places the stones in the vessels, causing them to shine, presented as a divine act that makes light possible in darkness.
atom_eth_06_003
they had prepared all manner of food … and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.
Before sailing, they prepare food for themselves and their animals, then board the ships and commend themselves to the Lord, portraying the journey as a complete religious reliance.
atom_eth_06_006
they did sing praises unto the Lord … no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually
Amidst maritime danger, they continue to sing praises, depicted as being protected from sea monsters while the light remains with them uninterrupted.
atom_eth_06_008
they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord … And it came to pass that they went forth upon the face of the land, and began to till the earth.
Upon arrival, they bow in gratitude and then immediately begin to cultivate and plant the land, linking worship with agricultural labor.
atom_eth_06_010
Let us gather together our people that we may number them … And it came to pass that they did number their people
As death approaches, the brother of Jared calls for the gathering and numbering of the people to understand their desires before the leaders depart, showcasing collective organization before the transfer of power.
atom_eth_07_003
And when Corihor was thirty and two years old he rebelled against his father, and went over and dwelt in the land of Nehor; and he begat sons and daughters, and they became exceedingly fair; wherefore Corihor drew away many people after him.
Corihor rebels against his father, migrates to the land of Nehor, and then attracts many followers due to his influence and family.
atom_eth_07_004
And when he had gathered together an army he came up unto the land of Moron where the king dwelt, and took him captive, which brought to pass the saying of the brother of Jared that they would be brought into captivity. Now the land of Moron, where the king dwelt, was near the land which is called Desolation by the Nephites.
Corihor gathers an army and captures the king in Moron, presenting this event as the fulfillment of a prior saying of the brother of Jared regarding captivity, with a geographical specification of Moron near the land called Desolation.
atom_eth_07_006
And it came to pass that Shule was angry with his brother; and Shule waxed strong, and became mighty as to the strength of a man; and he was also mighty in judgment. Wherefore, he came to the hill Ephraim, and he did molten out of the hill, and made swords out of steel for those whom he had drawn away with him; and after he had armed them with swords he returned to the city Nehor and gave battle u…
Shule grows strong and makes weapons of iron from the hill Ephraim, then leads his followers into battle against Corihor, reclaiming the king for his father and beginning his own reign.
atom_eth_07_008
And it came to pass that Corihor had many sons and daughters. And among the sons of Corihor there was one whose name was Noah. And it came to pass that Noah rebelled against Shule, the king, and also his father Corihor, and drew away Cohor his brother, and also all his brethren and many of the people. And he gave battle unto Shule the king, in which he did obtain the land of their first inheritanc…
The circle of conflict expands through a new generation: Noah rebels, seizes the land of their first inheritance, captures Shule, and is then killed at night by Shule’s sons who free their father and restore him to the throne.
atom_eth_07_009
Wherefore, the son of Noah did build up his kingdom in his stead; nevertheless they did not gain power any more over Shule the king, and the people who were under the reign of Shule the king did prosper exceedingly and wax great. And the country was divided; and there were two kingdoms, the kingdom of Shule, and the kingdom of Cohor, the son of Noah. And Cohor, the son of Noah, caused that his peo…
After the land is divided into two kingdoms, Shule remains militarily and politically superior, and power shifts from Noah’s descendants to Shule, while Nimrod gains special favor with him.
atom_eth_08_002
And Jared rebelled against his father, and came and dwelt in the land of Heth. And it came to pass that he did flatter many people, because of his cunning words, until he had gained the half of the kingdom. And when he had gained the half of the kingdom he gave battle unto his father, and he did carry away his father into captivity, and did make him serve in captivity;
Jared rebels against his father, moves to the land of Heth, and uses cunning words to flatter the people until he controls half the kingdom, after which he wages war against his father, capturing him and forcing him into servitude.
atom_eth_08_003
And they were exceedingly angry because of the doings of Jared their brother, insomuch that they did raise an army and gave battle unto Jared. And it came to pass that they did give battle unto him by night. And it came to pass that when they had slain the army of Jared they were about to slay him also; and he plead with them that they would not slay him, and he would give up the kingdom unto his …
Jared’s sons become exceedingly angry at their brother’s actions, gather an army, and fight him at night, nearly killing him before he pleads for his life and offers to surrender the kingdom to his father, saving his life.
atom_eth_08_007
let my father send for Akish, the son of Kimnor; and behold, I am fair, and I will dance before him, and I will please him, that he will desire me to wife; wherefore if he shall desire of thee that ye shall give unto him me to wife, then shall ye say: I will give her if ye will bring unto me the head of my father, the king. … Give her unto me to wife. … I will give her unto you, if ye will bri…
Jared’s daughter proposes using beauty and marriage as a means of political leverage: she seduces Akish with dance and then ties marriage to a request for the king’s murder, turning marriage into a tool for assassination.
atom_eth_09_002
because of the secret combinations of Akish and his friends, behold, they did overthrow the kingdom of Omer. Nevertheless, the Lord was merciful unto Omer
The atom shows that the secret alliances of Akish and his friends overthrew the kingdom of Omer, but the narrative balances this by highlighting the Lord’s mercy towards Omer and his sons who did not seek his destruction.
atom_eth_09_003
the Lord warned Omer in a dream that he should depart out of the land; wherefore Omer departed out of the land with his family, and traveled many days
The Lord warns Omer in a dream, prompting him to leave the land with his family, transforming the vision into a geographical movement that saves the royal house.
atom_eth_09_004
Jared was anointed king over the people, by the hand of wickedness; and he gave unto Akish his daughter to wife. … Jared was murdered upon his throne, and Akish reigned in his stead.
The text shows the transfer of power through violence and corruption: Jared is anointed king by wicked means, then marriage, conspiracy, and murder are used to solidify Akish’s rule.
atom_eth_09_005
Akish began to be jealous of his son, therefore he shut him up in prison, and kept him upon little or no food until he had suffered death. … Nimrah gathered together a small number of men, and fled out of the land, and came over and dwelt with Omer.
Family violence escalates within Akish’s house as he imprisons his son until death, prompting the victim’s brother to flee with a small group and join Omer, creating a new political division.
atom_eth_09_006
the sons of Akish did offer them money, by which means they drew away the more part of the people after them. … there began to be a war between the sons of Akish and Akish
The collective decline is depicted as purchasable; the sons use money to sway the people, leading to a long civil war that results in near annihilation of the kingdom.
atom_eth_09_007
Omer was restored again to the land of his inheritance. … he anointed Emer to be king to reign in his stead.
After the devastation, Omer returns to his land of inheritance and then bequeaths the kingship to his son Emer, restoring political legitimacy through return and familial endorsement.
atom_eth_09_010
he did build many mighty cities … Heth began to embrace the secret plans again of old, to destroy his father. And it came to pass that he did dethrone his father, for he slew him with his own sword
After a period of urban prosperity, the old pattern of conspiracy returns to the ruling house; Heth kills his father and seizes the throne, linking civic construction with moral collapse.
atom_eth_10_001
Shez, who was a descendant of Heth—for Heth had perished by the famine, and all his household save it were Shez—wherefore, Shez began to build up again a broken people. And it came to pass that Shez did remember the destruction of his fathers, and he did build up a righteous kingdom; for he remembered what the Lord had done in bringing Jared and his brother across the deep; and he did walk in the …
Shez is presented as a descendant of a nearly extinct lineage, then emerges as one who rebuilds a broken people. His memory of his fathers’ destruction and the salvation of Jared and his brother drives him to establish a righteous kingdom and walk in the ways of the Lord.
atom_eth_10_002
his eldest son, whose name was Shez, did rebel against him; nevertheless, Shez was smitten by the hand of a robber, because of his exceeding riches, which brought peace again unto his father. And it came to pass that his father did build up many cities upon the face of the land, and the people began again to spread over all the face of the land.
The eldest son rebels against his father, but his wealth attracts the attention of a robber, which restores peace to the father. Urban development resumes, and the community begins to spread across the land once more.
atom_eth_10_004
the people did rise up in rebellion against him; and there began to be war again in the land, insomuch that Riplakish was killed, and his descendants were driven out of the land.
Popular rebellion erupts against Riplakish, leading to war in the land, resulting in his death and the expulsion of his descendants.
atom_eth_10_006
Morianton built up many cities, and the people became exceedingly rich under his reign, both in buildings, and in gold and silver, and in raising grain, and in flocks, and herds… Kim did not reign in righteousness, wherefore he was not favored of the Lord.
Under Morianton’s reign, cities, wealth, agricultural resources, and livestock flourish, but the narrative shifts to Kim as an unrighteous king who does not enjoy the Lord’s favor.
atom_eth_10_007
his brother did rise up in rebellion against him, by which he did bring him into captivity… Levi did serve in captivity after the death of his father, for the space of forty and two years. And he did make war against the king of the land, by which he did obtain unto himself the kingdom. And after he had obtained unto himself the kingdom he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; and t…
The cycle of power struggle repeats: a brother overthrows Kim and captures him, then Levi lives in captivity after his father’s death for forty-two years. He later wages war against the king of the land and seizes the kingdom, doing what is right in the sight of the Lord and bringing prosperity to the people.
atom_eth_10_012
Com drew away the half of the kingdom… And in the days of Com there began to be robbers in the land; and they adopted the old plans, and administered oaths after the manner of the ancients, and sought again to destroy the kingdom. Now Com did fight against them much; nevertheless, he did not prevail against them.
The kingdom divides among contending factions, and robbers emerge as an organized force that revives ancient methods and secret oaths to overthrow the kingdom. Despite Com’s resistance, he does not succeed in overcoming them.
atom_eth_11_002
And they prophesied unto Com many things; and he was blessed in all the remainder of his days.
The prophecies of the prophets lead to blessings that extend throughout the remainder of Com’s days, presenting a direct positive impact of prophetic response.
atom_eth_11_003
And he lived to a good old age, and begat Shiblom; and Shiblom reigned in his stead. And the brother of Shiblom rebelled against him, and there began to be an exceedingly great war in all the land.
The kingship transitions from Com to Shiblom, then Shiblom’s brother rebels against him, leading to a great war throughout the land.
atom_eth_11_004
And it came to pass that the brother of Shiblom caused that all the prophets who prophesied of the destruction of the people should be put to death; And there was great calamity in all the land, for they had testified that a great curse should come upon the land, and also upon the people, and that there should be a great destruction among them
Shiblom’s brother orders the execution of the prophets, leading to widespread calamity as their testimonies foretold a great curse and destruction upon the land and the people.
atom_eth_11_007
And it came to pass that Shiblom was slain, and Seth was brought into captivity, and did dwell in captivity all his days. And it came to pass that Ahah, his son, did obtain the kingdom; and he did reign over the people all his days.
Shiblom’s life ends in murder, and Seth is taken into captivity for the rest of his life, after which the kingdom passes to his son Ahah, who reigns over the people.
atom_eth_11_011
And it came to pass that there arose a rebellion among the people, because of that secret combination which was built up to get power and gain; and there arose a mighty man among them in iniquity, and gave battle unto Moron, in which he did overthrow the half of the kingdom; and he did maintain the half of the kingdom for many years. And it came to pass that Moron did overthrow him, and did obtain…
A rebellion erupts due to a secret combination seeking power and gain, leading to repeated coups between Moron and powerful men, culminating in Moron being imprisoned for the rest of his life before fathering Coriantor.
atom_eth_12_007
Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.
Behold, 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.
Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.
Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought the…
The text compiles multiple examples to affirm that faith is the force that brought down the prison, transformed the Lamanites, produced miracles, and received exceptional promises such as not tasting death.
atom_eth_12_008
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.
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…
The text describes individuals whose faith reached a level that allowed them to witness what was hidden, with the brother of Jared being the prime example who received a vision of the Lord’s finger and then everything was revealed to him.
atom_eth_12_011
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;
For 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.
For thus didst thou manifest thyself…
The text shows Moroni’s transition from anxiety to comfort, citing the removal of Mount Zerin and the appearance of the Lord to the disciples as examples that God works according to faith.
atom_eth_13_007
I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock
Moroni halts the narrative because he is forbidden from writing more, then mentions that Ether’s prophecies were great but the people rejected and cast him out, causing him to hide in a rock.
atom_eth_13_008
there began to be a great war among the people… Coriantumr, having studied, himself, in all the arts of war… there were many people who were slain by the sword of those secret combinations
Immediately following Ether’s expulsion, violence escalates into a general war, with Coriantumr depicted as a master of the arts of war while secret combinations engage in killing and seizing power.
atom_eth_13_010
Shared… did beat him, insomuch that in the third year he did bring him into captivity. And the sons of Coriantumr, in the fourth year, did beat Shared
The struggle for power shifts rapidly: Shared defeats Coriantumr and captures him, then Coriantumr’s sons reclaim the kingdom afterward.
atom_eth_14_002
if a man should lay his tool or his sword upon his shelf … upon the morrow, he could not find it
The atom depicts a tangible curse: hidden objects disappear from their owners, rendering even material stability uncertain.
atom_eth_14_005
the brother of Shared … gave battle unto Coriantumr … and placed himself upon the throne of Coriantumr
The text traces a swift transition from combat to seizing the throne, where war becomes a tool for altering political authority.
atom_eth_14_006
his high priest murdered him as he sat upon his throne … one of the secret combinations murdered him in a secret pass, and obtained unto himself the kingdom
The text shows that political assassination occurs from within the religious structure and through secret groups, leading directly to the seizure of power.
atom_eth_14_008
he did overthrow many cities, and he did slay both women and children, and he did burn the cities … Who can stand before the army of Shiz?
The text paints a picture of total horror: the destruction of cities and the killing of non-combatants creates a terrifying reputation that makes people question their ability to withstand Shiz’s army.
atom_eth_14_009
the whole face of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead … there was none left to bury the dead
Violence reaches a level that disrupts even burial rites; the land is filled with corpses, and there remains no one to bury the dead.
atom_eth_14_013
the loss of men, women and children on both sides was so great that Shiz commanded his people that they should not pursue the armies of Coriantumr
The excerpt concludes with a temporary military decision stemming from the magnitude of losses, as Shiz halts the pursuit after the war has drained both sides.
atom_eth_15_001
And it came to pass when Coriantumr had recovered of his wounds, he began to remember the words which Ether had spoken unto him.
After Coriantumr recovers from his wounds, he begins to recall the words that Ether had directed toward him, indicating the beginning of prophetic influence upon him.
atom_eth_15_003
And it came to pass that he wrote an epistle unto Shiz, desiring him that he would spare the people, and he would give up the kingdom for the sake of the lives of the people.
And it came to pass that when Shiz had received his epistle he wrote an epistle unto Coriantumr, that if he would give himself up, that he might slay him with his own sword, that he would spare the lives of the people.
Coriantumr and Shiz exchange letters of negotiation: the former offers to relinquish the kingdom, while the latter requests Coriantumr’s surrender in exchange for sparing the lives of the people.
atom_eth_15_004
And it came to pass that the people repented not of their iniquity; and the people of Coriantumr were stirred up to anger against the people of Shiz; and the people of Shiz were stirred up to anger against the people of Coriantumr; wherefore, the people of Shiz did give battle unto the people of Coriantumr.
The people refuse to repent, leading to mutual mobilization of anger between the two factions, which directly culminates in battle.
atom_eth_15_007
And it came to pass that they did gather together all the people upon all the face of the land, who had not been slain, save it was Ether.
And it came to pass that Ether did behold all the doings of the people; and he beheld that the people who were for Coriantumr were gathered together to the army of Coriantumr; and the people who were for Shiz were gathered together to the army of Shiz.
The remaining population is gathered into two opposing military factions, while Ether observes this general alignment that has taken four years to develop.
atom_eth_15_008
And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which he would, with their wives and their children—both men women and children being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breastplates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war—they did march forth one against another to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not.
The war transforms into a total mobilization involving men, women, and children, with battles repeating without resolution, followed by collective mourning for the dead each night.
atom_eth_15_010
And on the morrow they fought again; and when the night came they had all fallen by the sword save it were fifty and two of the people of Coriantumr, and sixty and nine of the people of Shiz.
And it came to pass that they slept upon their swords that night, and on the morrow they fought again, and they contended in their might with their swords and with their shields, all that day.
The survivors dwindle to very few, and fighting and waiting for death become a daily pattern until the combatants collapse from blood loss.
atom_eth_15_011
And it came to pass that when the men of Coriantumr had received sufficient strength that they could walk, they were about to flee for their lives; but behold, Shiz arose, and also his men, and he swore in his wrath that he would slay Coriantumr or he would perish by the sword.
Wherefore, he did pursue them, and on the morrow he did overtake them; and they fought again with the sword. And it came…
The pursuit reaches its peak as Shiz swears in his wrath to kill Coriantumr, culminating in a final confrontation where Coriantumr ultimately slays Shiz, leading to his own death shortly thereafter.