Jaredite Era

The Prophet Ether

Ether 12:1

A man named Coriantumr was king at the time of Ether.

And it came to pass that the days of Ether were in the days of Coriantumr; and Coriantumr was king over all the land.

Ether 12:2–3

Ether is a prophet, and goes about preaching faith and repentance to the people.

And Ether was a prophet of the Lord; wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him. For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled.

Ether 12:4–5

Ether teaches the people that belief in God leads to hope for a better world.

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not.

Ether 13:13–14

Despite the greatness of Ether’s teachings, he is rejected and exiled, and spends his days living in a cave, compiling the record of his people by day, and witnessing the downfall of the Jaredite civilization by night.

But great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people. And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock he made the remainder of his record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people, by night.

Ether 13:15

War and contention arises among the people, and many warriors try to take down Coriantumr.

And it came to pass that in that same year in which he was cast out from among the people there began to be a great war among the people, for there were many who rose up, who were mighty men, and sought to destroy Coriantumr by their secret plans of wickedness, of which hath been spoken.

Ether 13:16–17

Coriantumr, expert in the art of war, withstands all attacks against him, maintains his power, and does not repent.

And now Coriantumr, having studied, himself, in all the arts of war and all the cunning of the world, wherefore he gave battle unto them who sought to destroy him. But he repented not, neither his fair sons nor daughters; neither the fair sons and daughters of Cohor; neither the fair sons and daughters of Corihor; and in fine, there were none of the fair sons and daughters upon the face of the whole earth who repented of their sins.

Ether 13:18–19

Secret organizations emerge again and try to take the kingdom from Coriantumr.

Wherefore, it came to pass that in the first year that Ether dwelt in the cavity of a rock, there were many people who were slain by the sword of those secret combinations, fighting against Coriantumr that they might obtain the kingdom. And it came to pass that the sons of Coriantumr fought much and bled much.

Ether 13:20–21

The following year Ether prophesies to Coriantumr that unless he repents, the civilization will be destroyed, and a new one will come in its place.

And in the second year the word of the Lord came to Ether, that he should go and prophesy unto Coriantumr that, if he would repent, and all his household, the Lord would give unto him his kingdom and spare the people—Otherwise they should be destroyed, and all his household save it were himself. And he should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance; and Coriantumr should receive a burial by them; and every soul should be destroyed save it were Coriantumr.

Ether 13:22

Coriantumr ignores Ether’s prophecies, and continues to wage war with his opponents; attempts on Ether’s life are made, and his goes back to his cave to hide.

And it came to pass that Coriantumr repented not, neither his household, neither the people; and the wars ceased not; and they sought to kill Ether, but he fled from before them and hid again in the cavity of the rock.