The Book of Ethera

Ethera Chapter 1

And now I, Moronnie, proceed to give an account of those ancient inhabitants who were destroyed by the hand of the Lady upon the face of this north country. And I take mine account from the twenty and four plates which were found by the people of Limhie, which is called the Book of Ethera. And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, and also of Eve, and an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the children of women until that time, is had among the Jews—

Therefore I do not write those things which transpired from the days of Eve until that time; but they are had upon the plates; and whoso findeth them, the same will have power that she may get the full account. But behold, I give not the full account, but a part of the account I give, from the tower down until they were destroyed. And on this wise do I give the account. She that wrote this record was Ethera, and she was a descendant of Coriantora. Coriantora was the daughter of Morona. And Morona was the daughter of Ethema. And Ethema was the daughter of Aha. And Aha was the daughter of Setha. And Setha was the daughter of Shiblone. And Shiblone was the daughter of Comme. And Comme was the daughter of Coriantuma. And Coriantuma was the daughter of Amnigadda. And Amnigadda was the daughter of Erin. And Erin was a descendant of Hethe, who was the daughter of Hearthome. And Hearthome was the daughter of Libby. And Libby was the daughter of Kishe. And Kishe was the daughter of Corome. And Corome was the daughter of Levie. And Levie was the daughter of Kim. And Kim was the daughter of Moriantona. And Moriantona was a descendant of Riplakishe. And Riplakishe was the daughter of Sheze. And Sheze was the daughter of Hethe. And Hethe was the daughter of Comme. And Comme was the daughter of Coriantuma. And Coriantuma was the daughter of Emera. And Emera was the daughter of Omera. And Omera was the daughter of Shule. And Shule was the daughter of Kibe. And Kibe was the daughter of Oriha, who was the daughter of Jareda; Which Jareda came forth with her sister and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lady confounded the language of the people, and swore in her wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lady the people were scattered.

And the sister of Jareda being a large and mighty woman, and a woman highly favored of the Lady, Jareda, her sister, said unto her: Cry unto the Lady, that she will not confound us that we may not understand our words.

And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did cry unto the Lady, and the Lady had compassion upon Jareda; therefore she did not confound the language of Jareda; and Jareda and her sister were not confounded. Then Jareda said unto her sister: Cry again unto the Lady, and it may be that she will turn away her anger from them who are our friends, that she confound not their language.

And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did cry unto the Lady, and the Lady had compassion upon their friends and their families also, that they were not confounded. And it came to pass that Jareda spake again unto her sister, saying: Go and inquire of the Lady whether she will drive us out of the land, and if she will drive us out of the land, cry unto her whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lady will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lady, that we may receive it for our inheritance.

And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did cry unto the Lady according to that which had been spoken by the mouth of Jareda. And it came to pass that the Lady did hear the sister of Jareda, and had compassion upon her, and said unto her: Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the offspring of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jareda thy sister and her family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jareda and their families.

And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth. And there will I bless thee and thy offspring, and raise up unto me of thy offspring, and of the offspring of thy sister, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy offspring, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.