“Write These Things and Seal Them Up”

Brant Gardner

The Lord commands the brother of Jared to record and seal this comprehensive vision, including as well the two stones. These stones went from the brother of Jared to Ether to Mosiah to Moroni and finally to Joseph Smith. (See commentary accompanying Mosiah 8:13–14.) Joseph Smith used them to read the unreadable text. The current text of the Book of Mormon, however, does not include the rest of the brother of Jared’s revelation (v. 25). It is part of what remained sealed on the plates and was therefore unavailable for Joseph to translate. “And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God” (Ether 5:1).

Text: There is no chapter break at this point in the 1830 edition.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

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