Ether 6

(All of my own thoughts are in blue 2020 red type 7/20 orange 8/21 brown 2022 -23) 

CHAPTER 6

The Jaredite barges are driven by the winds to the promised land—The people praise the Lord for His goodness—Orihah is appointed king over them—Jared and his brother die.

  1 And now I, Moroni, proceed to give the record of ^aJared and his brother. We're 5 chapters (of 15) into the book of Ether, which already only contains a hundredth part of their history. It gives emphasis to the words of Moroni in the first 5 chapters and their importance!
  2 For it came to pass after the Lord had prepared the ^astones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels. It seems like these stones could be in existence somewhere today. Wouldn't they be considered among the most precious items they possessed? Wouldn't they be handed down like the plates and the sword of Laban and the interpreters? We know the Jaradites are all wiped out, but there was one man left...did he know where these stones were? Did the Lord take them away or cause them not to shine anymore?  
  3 And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness. This seems to be a general statement to all mankind. God gives us "stones" (apostles/prophets) to shine in our dark world to give us light so we don't cross the "great waters" of live in darkness.  This was Brett's impression once when he read this verse. 
  4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of ^afood, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and ^bwhatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God. At the end of the day...this is all we can do! Practically speaking this must have been quite a feat. Food preservation; sanitation, water, cooking, sleeping, natural predator issues, gravity (tossed and turned in the water)...how did they manage all this in such a small space and for a year? Did the Lord teach them these things or did they already know how to do it? 
  5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a ^afurious wind blow upon the face of the waters, ^btowards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind. When you feel like a "furious wind" is upon you and you know you are doing your best to love God and keep His commandments...trust that He is just "blowing you" towards your "promised land". If all has been in order, He has prepared you for the circumstances you find yourself in.
  6 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. Did they have everything in locked and secured lockers? Did they tie themselves down? Really...I'd love to see the movie version of this voyage!
  7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being ^atight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ^bark of Noah; another reference that lends credibility to the idea that Noah also had stones for light...Never pictured the ark as "tight like a dish" or being "under the water"...hmm...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. Adversity turns you toward the Lord. It's almost like he took them "under" to get them to "cry" unto Him....
  8 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 ^adriven forth before the wind. The winds of adversity never cease to blow US to our promised land. Don't forget that... These winds were necessary to get them to the Promised Land.
  9 And they did ^asing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did ^bthank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. I feel like this was a strategy they used to maintain their faith. If they stopped praising, they would go in to fear and worry and anxiety...I think this is so key! We must never, never, cease to sing praises to the Lord and thank Him all the day long and all the night long. Never take your eye off the Savior. Never look at the winds and waves. Just focus on Him.
 10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, What were these?  neither ^awhale that could mar them; Not whales... what's bigger than a whale? and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water. Trust. The light of Christ is with you always so no monster or whale can mar you. Light is so comforting. Make sure in your preps you always have a means for light.
 11 And thus they were driven forth, ^athree hundred and forty and four days upon the water. My sister thinks that God put them all to sleep. LOL How could any human handle this voyage? They either were told to prepare food/supplies for a year, or they had means to produce food on the boats...
 12 And they did ^aland upon the shore of the ^bpromised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his ^ctender mercies over them. They didn't recount their woes, only their tender mercies. Record yours! I can only imagine what those tender mercies must have been, but even then I think I'll come up way short of what they really experienced!
 13 And it came to pass that they went forth upon the face of the land, and began to till the earth. Get going on fresh food asap!
 14 And Jared had four ^asons; and they were called Jacom, and Gilgah, and Mahah, and Orihah. 6 people
 15 And the brother of Jared also begat sons and daughters.2 + at least 4 more
 16 And the ^afriends of Jared and his brother were in number about twenty and two souls; and they also begat sons and daughters before they came to the promised land; and therefore they began to be many. 22 + 4 adults + at least 8 children before the crossing... (total at least 34 in 8 vessels)
 17 And they were taught to ^awalk humbly before the Lord; and they were also ^btaught from on high. Ok...what does this mean? Angelic visitors? The Savior?
 18 And it came to pass that they began to spread upon the face of the land, and to multiply and to till the earth; and they did wax strong in the land.
19 And the brother of Jared began to be old, It is thought that Noah was 600 years old at the time of the flood and lived to be 950. The Tower of Babel was 100 years after the flood. I'm just saying...that the brother of Jared could have been really old when he "began to be old"... and saw that he must soon go down to the grave; wherefore he said unto Jared: Let us gather together our people that we may number them, that we may know of them what they will desire of us before we go down to our graves.
 20 And accordingly the people were gathered together. Now the number of the sons and the daughters of the brother of Jared were twenty and two souls; and the number of sons and daughters of Jared were twelve, he having four sons.2+22+2+22=48  Only 48 and they call it "multiplying" and "waxing strong"?
 21 And it came to pass that they did number their people; and after that they had numbered them, they did desire of them the things which they would that they should do before they went down to their graves.
 22 And it came to pass that the people desired of them that they should ^aanoint one of their sons to be a king over them. Hard to believe 48 people feel like they need a king. Maybe I'm not reading the number of people right...
 23 And now behold, this was grievous unto them. And the brother of Jared said unto them: Surely this thing ^aleadeth into captivity.
 24 But Jared said unto his brother: Suffer them that they may have a king. Sometimes we just get what we want...even if it isn't good for us....And therefore he said unto them: Choose ye out from among our sons a king, even whom ye will.
 25 And it came to pass that they chose even the firstborn of the brother of Jared; and his name was Pagag. And it came to pass that he refused and would not be their ^aking. And the people would that his father should constrain him, but his father would not; and he commanded them that they should constrain no man to be their king.
 26 And it came to pass that they chose all the brothers of Pagag, and they would not. All the sons of the righteous brother of Jared refused. Sounds like they listened to their dad..
 27 And it came to pass that neither would the ^asons of Jared, even all save it were one; and ^bOrihah was anointed to be king over the people. Sounds like they respected their uncle's opinion. What's with the lone son?
 28 And he began to reign, and the people began to ^aprosper; and they became exceedingly rich.
 29 And it came to pass that Jared died, and his brother also.
 30 And it came to pass that Orihah did walk humbly before the Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for his father, and also taught his people how great things the Lord had done for their fathers.Ok...so he was a good son. That's good, but....