Ethera Chapter 6

And now I, Moronnie, proceed to give the record of Jareda and her sister. For it came to pass after the Lady had prepared the stones which the sister of Jareda had carried up into the mount, the sister of Jareda came down out of the mount, and she did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels. And thus the Lady caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto women, men, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.

And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lady their Goddess. And it came to pass that the Lady Goddess caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind. And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noa; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lady, and she did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. And they did sing praises unto the Lady; yea, the sister of Jareda did sing praises unto the Lady, and she did thank and praise the Lady all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lady. And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water. And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water. And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lady, and did shed tears of joy before the Lady, because of the multitude of her tender mercies over them.

And it came to pass that they went forth upon the face of the land, and began to till the earth. And Jareda had four daughters; and they were called Jacome, and Gilgaha, and Maha, and Oriha. And the sister of Jareda also bore daughters and sons. And the friends of Jareda and her sister were in number about twenty and two souls; and they also bore daughters and sons before they came to the promised land; and therefore they began to be many. And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lady; and they were also taught from on high.

And it came to pass that they began to spread upon the face of the land, and to multiply and to till the earth; and they did wax strong in the land. And the sister of Jareda began to be old, and saw that she must soon go down to the grave; wherefore she said unto Jareda: Let us gather together our people that we may number them, that we may know of them what they will desire of us before we go down to our graves. And accordingly the people were gathered together. Now the number of the daughters and the sons of the sister of Jareda were twenty and two souls; and the number of daughters and sons of Jareda were twelve, she having four daughters.

And it came to pass that they did number their people; and after that they had numbered them, they did desire of them the things which they would that they should do before they went down to their graves. And it came to pass that the people desired of them that they should anoint one of their daughters to be a queen over them.

And now behold, this was grievous unto them. And the sister of Jareda said unto them: Surely this thing leadeth into captivity. But Jareda said unto her sister: Suffer them that they may have a queen. And therefore she said unto them: Choose ye out from among our daughters a queen, even whom ye will.

And it came to pass that they chose even the firstborn of the sister of Jareda; and her name was Pagage. And it came to pass that she refused and would not be their queen. And the people would that her mother should constrain her, but her mother would not; and she commanded them that they should constrain no woman to be their queen. And it came to pass that they chose all the sisters of Pagage, and they would not.

And it came to pass that neither would the daughters of Jareda, even all save it were one; and Oriha was anointed to be queen over the people. And she began to reign, and the people began to prosper; and they became exceedingly rich.

And it came to pass that Jareda died, and her sister also. And it came to pass that Oriha did walk humbly before the Lady, and did remember how great things the Lady had done for her mother, and also taught her people how great things the Lady had done for their mothers.