Gospel Essentials Class Notes

May 6, 2001

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Gospel Essentials Class Notes May 6 2001

Ether 5:

Spirit of Lord so great, he could not be restrained..

Ether 5:2 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;

Ether 5:4 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.

(Encourages us to have a hope of salvation—Alma 16:239 Alma 21:74)

Moroni’s entire intent of the chapter’s duration is because of:

Ether 5:5 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 5:6 And now I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would shew unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;

Moroni makes mention of Principles of faith:

1.        Evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

2.        Receive no witness without trial of faith first Ether 5:7 James 1:3

3.        Is the means by which Christ reveals himself to man (Ether 5:8)

4.        No miracle happens without faith (Ether 5:13) (Jesus could do no miracle in certain places because of the lack of faith Mark 6:7)

5.        Many living prior to Jesus had sufficient faith to see and know him (Ether 5:19)

6.        Even by faith that this word would come to us Gentiles in latter-days, to return again to the house of Joseph and others. (Ether 5:22)

Moroni expresses concern over the weakness of their writing and simultaneously informs of a spiritual gift—inspired writing convincing enough to overpower the human soul. (Ether 5:25)  Contrasted with the gift given of Inspired speaking, which can overpower the soul. (Ether 5:23 Ether 5:24 Ether 5:26)

Here is what God prophesies to us: Fools mock, but they shall mourn. Ether 5:27

Heard a good one on ‘Christian’ talk radio—two men were cutting down J.S. saying his problem was not reading Hebrew, but roman numerals.  Moroni was ‘Moron’ “I” (Moron One).  These are they who shall mourn.  Moroni promises that we will meet him in the presence of God and know these things are true. (Ether 5:39)

These words will be confirmed by your faith in them, to the overpowering confirmation by the Holy Spirit.

God wants these things to be brought forth (for now) in weakness, so the Gentiles can make their choice by faith.  Afterward the choices are made, will the truth be confirmed in power. Ether 5:30 And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted,

Moroni again confirms that the Gentiles who reject these will have their ‘talent’ taken away. (Ether 5:35)

God will not show of His power until repentance. (Helaman 3:25)

And Moroni humbly informs that he, too, was one of these persons, who had the faith to see Christ. (Ether 5:40) and commends us to seek Him.

Ether 6.  Remember how the 5^th chapter began, describing Ether with his overwhelming Gift of the Holy Ghost, so much that he could not be restrained from preaching.  (When the H.G., the most powerful force of Good that a person can possess, indwells in man, this person must needs seek good things to do).

Nevertheless, when that same spirit is absent in man, those hearing reject (Like Samuel on the wall—he had so much that he would stand on the wall, others would shoot arrows at him).

Ether 6:2 they rejected all the words of Ether.  What were some of the things Ether (a Jaredite prophet) informed his people of?

1.        This land was preserved as the choicest land.

2.        Waters had receeded off of it (Enoch’s account records this Gen. 7:18)

3.        The Lord would that all men of this land (and world) serve him

4.        It would be the place of the New Jerusalem which would come from Heaven someday.

5.        It would also be the place of a city built upon this land someday.

6.        He spoke of the House of Israel (living in parallel to him, although he had never met anyone from the House of Israel.  Remember, Jaredites were pre-Abraham).

7.        Spoke of the account of Joseph being a type for the House of Israel and their spiritual inheritance.

8.        The   Holy City on this land would be built by the House of Joseph (Ether 6:8)(3 Nephi 10:1)

9.        There will be a new heaven and new earth, like the old, but completely new.

10.     The New Jerusalem from heaven will be established.  The Jerusalem of Old shall be established.

11.     House of Israel who was scattered, will be gathered (vs 12) which will fulfill the scripture which teaches that the last shall be first and the first last (verse 13).

Moroni was forbidden to write more.