Ether 3-5

To view a video clip on prayer, with quotes from David A. Bednar, click here.
Day 1: Read Ether 3:1-5; Review Ether 2:19, 23
1. Review Ether 2:19, 23. What two options for lighting the barges had the Lord rejected? What physical and mental preparations had the brother of Jared completed before he came before the Lord in prayer?



2. List elements or steps in the brother of Jared’s petition before the Lord.



3. In what did the brother of Jared have faith?



Day 2: Read Ether 3:6-12; Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 1:16-17
4. How did the Lord answer the Brother of Jared’s prayer? If his prayer was answered according to his expectations, why was he “struck with fear”? See also Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 1:16-17.



5. Give examples of how the brother of Jared asked, sought, and knocked as he approached the Lord in prayer.



6. What characteristic of God did Jared’s brother know absolutely? How did this increase his faith?



Day 3: Read Ether 3:13-20; D&C 67:10-13; Alma 32:21, 34
7. Why was the brother of Jared allowed back into the presence of the Lord? Use D&C 67:10-13 to list specific attributes we need in order to be able to “abide in the presence of God.”



8. How did the Lord identify himself to the brother of Jared? In other words, who did he say he is?



9. Did Moroni say Jared’s brother could not be kept from seeing the Lord because of his faith or because of his knowledge? See also Alma 32:21, 34.


Day 4: Read Ether 3:21-28; Ether 4:1; 2 Nephi 27:6-11; D&C 17:1
10. Why do you think the Lord put restrictions on when and how the Jaredite record was to come forth? See also Ether 4:1; 2 Nephi 27:6-11; Mosiah 28:17-19.




11. According to D&C 17:1, what were the “two stones” given to the brother of Jared on the mount? In what ways do they also “shine” or illuminate?

12. List what the Lord caused the brother of Jared to see in vision. Have other prophets shared this vision?




Day 5: Read Ether 4:1-9; Alma 12:9-11; 3 Nephi 26:9-11
13. When was the Jaredite record made available to the descendants of Lehi? Why was Moroni commanded to hide them?



14. From Ether 4:6-7, list three specific things we need to do in order to prepare ourselves to receive the sealed portion of the plates.



15. What is the fate of those who read and reject the Book of Mormon? See also Alma 12:9-11; 3 Nephi 26:9-11.



Day 6: Read Ether 4:10-191 Nephi 14:18-28; 1 Nephi 13:37; Mosiah 2:41; D&C 6:13
16. How can we know the Book of Mormon is true?



17. Who does the Lord invite to “come unto me” in Ether 4:13-14? What is the promise if we do?



18. When will we receive the “great and marvelous things” the Lord wants us to have? What specific part(s) of the Bible will those marvelous writings help us better understand? See also 1 Nephi 14:18-28.



BONUS: Cross-reference Ether 4:19 with 1 Nephi 13:37, Mosiah 2:41 and D&C 6:13. How do we know there is a heaven?



Day 7: Read Ether 5
19. This chapter has been called a “prophetic epistle” from Moroni to Joseph Smith. What two specific instructions did Moroni give Joseph regarding the plates?



20. Why were three witnesses required?



21. How can we be received into the kingdom of God?