Blogger of Jared

I thought it would be appropriate for my first contribution to go along with the recent symposium theme here.

One of the things I love about the book of Ether is the narrative of the Jaredites’ journey to the promised land. As is the case with other “exodus” narratives in the scriptures, there is much that can be “liken[ed]…unto us…for our profit and learning” (1 Ne. 19:23). I wanted to discuss three things from this story that have been particularly meaningful to me.

First, I love the concept of being “tight like unto a dish” (Ether 2:17).

Connor recently referenced a talk by Elder David R. Stone that I think nicely compliments this concept. Elder Stone says,

One of the greatest challenges we will face is to be able to live in that world but somehow not be of that world. We have to create Zion in the midst of Babylon…. We should not allow ourselves to be engulfed by the culture which surrounds us. We seldom realize the extent to which we are a product of the culture of our place and time….

My involvement with the building of the Manhattan temple gave me the opportunity to be in the temple quite often prior to the dedication. It was wonderful to sit in the celestial room and be there in perfect silence, without a single sound to be heard coming from the busy New York streets outside. How was it possible that the temple could be so reverently silent when the hustle and bustle of the metropolis was just a few yards away?

The answer was in the construction of the temple. The temple was built within the walls of an existing building, and the inner walls of the temple were connected to the outer walls at only a very few junction points. That is how the temple (zion) limited the effects of Babylon, or the world outside.

There may be a lesson here for us. We can create the real Zion among us by limiting the extent to which Babylon will influence our lives.

I like how Elder Stone says we can’t allow ourselves to be “engulfed” by our culture. Just as the Jaredites built their barges to be “tight” to protect them from being drowned in the waters of the sea, our lives and souls need to be “tight” so that the waters of Babylon will not infiltrate our lives. One way is to deliberately limit the influence Babylon has on our lives.

The story of the Jaredites give us further insights on how our lives can be “tight.” These faithful people built the barges “according to the instructions of the Lord” (Ether 2:16). The Lord knew what they would need to be safe. The Jaredites worked hard, following the Lord’s guidance, in order to build the barges that would protect them and carry them to the promised land.

In our own journey, through living prophets, the scriptures, and the Spirit, we are constantly being directed about what we can do to be safe in our journey. We know what to do to have the Spirit with us on a daily basis. We are warned about the many ways the adversary wants to distract, tempt, and even destroy us. Most importantly, we are reminded to always remember the Savior and look to Him in all we do. If we follow these instructions and warnings our lives can be “tight” and protected from the dangers around us.

Second, I love the imagery of the light in the barges.

It is not sufficient to simply keep dangers at bay in our journey. We also need to have light - the Lord’s light. The light in the barges can represent the Spirit, the Lord’s peace, the Lord’s truth, the Lord’s presence.

The story of how the brother of Jared was able to work with the Lord to get light is phenomenal. It is a reminder that we need to actively work with and stay close to the Savior in faith, so He can provide light to guide, comfort and help us.

I think it is significant that the Lord did not impose the light on the brother of Jared or even simply give it to him. The brother of Jared had to see the need for light. He had to desire it and to ask for it. He also had to put forth his own effort toward a solution before the Lord helped him. In short, he had to do his part to get the light of the Lord for their journey. Perhaps, then, the light can also represent the Lord’s grace. (See 2 Nephi 25:23.)

The brother of Jared’s story of faith also reminds us that the Lord is willing and able to help and provide the light we need - no matter how dark the world may seem, no matter how difficult the journey may appear. He wants us to have light. Again, we just need to ask for His help.

Finally, I love what we can learn from the difficult journey the Jaredites had.

When I have been discouraged about my life and trials, I have been known to turn to Ether 6 for a reminder that the exodus to the promised land was not a pleasure cruise. Note the following verses:

And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
And thus they were driven forth three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.
(Ether 6:5-6, 8, 11)

It is clear that it took some great force to get the Jaredites where they needed to go. I imagine they arrived in the promised land only after a lot of seasickness, exhaustion - maybe even some fear.

Have you ever felt buried by your trials? Tossed and thrown about? Bombarded by storms? Pounded upon by waves of frustration and fear and weariness? I have. It is at such times that these verses have brought great comfort to me. Gently drifting upon the water while sunbathing and sipping lemonade would not have gotten the Jaredites where they needed to go. But the Lord did not leave them helpless.

And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.
(Ether 6:7, 10)

The Lord had already prepared the Jaredites for their journey by giving them instructions for building barges that would keep them safe from the water and other dangers. He had provided light for them. And when they cried unto the Lord, He rescued them from the depths of the sea. He didn’t necessarily stop the violent storms and the mountainous waves, but He responded to their pleas when they were “buried in the deep.” When we feel we are drowning, we know we can also cry out to Him for help and assistance, that we may be buoyed up by His power and grace.

As we journey toward our own promised land, I think we can learn much from the Jaredites - from their obedience, their faith, and their trust in God. We can “commend…[our]selves unto the Lord [our] God” (Ether 6:4) and know He will help us get to our eternal destination. And I hope we, like them, will have a spirit of gratitude for the help and tender mercies He proffers us (Ether 6:9, 12) –
even as He also sends winds and storms and waves to help us progress toward our eternal home.