Redaction: From this point until Ether 6:1, Moroni pauses in his redaction of Ether’s narrative to discuss the future of the record he is writing. He had made the same kind of digression when he was finishing his father’s record (Morm. 9). Although the evidence comes in the context of other records, Moroni reveals considerable self-information in these interpolations. He had a very clear vision of his essential task: first concealing it, then bringing it forth. He has had a vision of the world into which the record would come and even of the person to whom he would give it.
Because of this revelation, Moroni’s interests are focused on the future. He had first discussed the Book of Mormon’s coming forth (Morm. 9), and he returns to that theme at this point. This shift in Moroni’s editorial selection and intent will change after this interpolation. From our chapter 6 on, Moroni will concentrate on how Jaredite cycles of righteousness and wickedness illustrate the simple principles his father illustrated for the Nephites; that righteousness leads to prosperity and wickedness to ruin. Part of Jaredite wickedness is the secret societies. Mormon had described secret societies as important precursors to the Nephite downfall, and Moroni gives them the same role for the Jaredite downfall. If Ether’s record contained other descriptions of great revelations or doctrinal teachings, Moroni does not write them. Instead, he drives relentlessly toward the final denouement of the Jaredite nation.