Ether 2

After traveling north, Mahonri’s party arrived in a valley they named Nimrod. From there, God spoke with Mahonri from the clouds. He could be heard but not seen. He guided Mahonri’s party westward through a wilderness that men had never previously entered. As they journeyed, God talked to them and gave them direction from the clouds. They crossed bodies of water on boats that God directed them to build, and then leave behind. They continued ever westward, towards the promised land. God swore to Mahonri that those who inherited this promised land would forever devote themselves to him, the one and only God, or suffer his anger and be swept away.

You can see from Ether’s words, wrote Moroni, that whatever nation possesses this promised land must serve God or be swept aside by his anger. I say this to you, Gentiles, so that you will know what has been decreed. You have the opportunity to repent for you sinfulness and reform your ways before it is too late. Do not bring on God’s anger, as the former inhabitants of this land did. God will keep it free from slavery or bondage to other nations as long as the people serve Jesus Christ, as is shown in these records.

Eventually, the Jaredites reached the coastline and lived on the seashore in tents for four years in a place they named Moriancumer. After the four years, God again came to Mahonri and spoke to him from the clouds. He chastened Mahonri for failing to call upon him. Mahonri apologized for his sins and begged for forgiveness.

“I will forgive you and your party for their sins,” God said, “but do not sin anymore. If you do, you will be cut off. The land I am sending you to is the choicest land on earth. In order to reach it you will you need to build boats to cross the ocean.”

God instructed Mahonri how to build eight small boats. The decks were designed almost like a mirror image of the boats’ bottoms, so that the finished boats had the appearance of elongated, hollow nut shells. Designed to withstand the intensity of the ocean waves, the boats were the length of a tree and had watertight doors.

When the boats were finished, Mahonri prayed. “Oh God, I have built the boats according to your instruction. But how will be able to see inside their darkness, or be able to steer them?” he asked. “Once they are sealed up, how will we be able to breathe?”

“Cut small holes in the tops and bottoms of the boats, with fitted plugs,” God replied. “When you need air, unplug the holes. When the waves are so great that they threaten to flood the boat, plug them up again so that you aren’t drowned inside.”

When Mahonri had done this, he cried out again, saying, “I have made the holes as you commanded, but they are still dark inside. How will we navigate them without being able to see?”

“What would you have me do to give you light inside the boats?” God asked. “You cannot have windows because the waves will break them to pieces. Neither can you build fires inside and go by their light. You will be like a whale in the sea. Mountains of waves will fall upon you, and I will bring you up from the depths. I will send forth winds and storms from my mouth to drive your boats across the ocean. Unless you are fully prepared for the intensity of the waves, the ocean cannot be crossed. What would you like me to prepare for you to light your boats when you are swallowed up by the depths of the sea?”