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Brother of Jared
Brother of Jared
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In the Book of Mormon, the Brother of Jared is the most prominent person in the account given in the beginning (Chapters 1–6) of the Book of Ether. The Brother of Jared's name is not given in the text of the Book of Mormon, but Joseph Smith stated in 1834 that it was Mahonri Moriancumer.

Name

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In an 1835 letter, Oliver Cowdery parenthetically gives the name of the brother of Jared as "Moriancumer,"[1][2] which appears in the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon only as a place name.[3] A later account describes an 1834 statement by Joseph Smith in which he said that the brother of Jared's name had been revealed to him as "Mahonri Moriancumer":

While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the Brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me. Elder William F. Cahoon, who was standing near, heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation.[4][5][6]

the Brother of Jared seeing Christ in a vision

Etymologies have been proposed but remain largely speculative.[7]

According to Daniel H. Ludlow, it is not clear why the name of the Brother of Jared does not appear in the Book of Mormon. However, the following are possible reasons:

  • The Brother of Jared may have omitted his name out of modesty (John the Beloved did essentially the same thing in the Gospel of John, which he is traditionally said to have written);
  • The Book of Ether is clearly a family record of Jared, not the Brother of Jared; Ether, the final writer and perhaps the abridger of the record, was a descendant of Jared and might naturally have emphasized the achievements of his direct ancestor rather than the brother of his ancestor;
  • Moroni may have omitted the name in his abridgment because of difficulty in translating (or "transliterating") the name into the Nephite language;[8]
  • In Ancient Rome, damnatio memoriae meant names were intentionally deleted from the public record. Ancient Egyptian factions also expunged names and statues of heretical rivals. In Ether 11:17–18, a direct descendant of the Brother of Jared, and rival king, is also not named.[9]

See also

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References

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Further reading

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from Grokipedia
The Brother of Jared, whose given name was revealed to as Mahonri Moriancumer, is a central in the , featured prominently in the . He lived during the time of the and, through his and prayers, preserved his family's language from being confounded, leading , their friends, and kin on a divinely guided exodus to in the , where they founded the Jaredite nation. Renowned for his extraordinary , he constructed barges for an ocean crossing under the Lord's direction and, when seeking a solution for light within the vessels, prepared sixteen transparent stones that the premortal Christ touched to make them shine, allowing him to witness the Lord's finger, which initially struck him with fear despite his perfect , and, ultimately, His full spirit body in a profound . Born into a period of widespread wickedness associated with the Tower of Babel, the Brother of Jared was described as a large and mighty man, highly favored by the Lord for his righteousness and intercessory prayers. Upon Jared's request, he petitioned the Lord to spare their household from the language confusion that scattered other peoples, and the Lord granted this blessing, directing them to gather provisions—including seeds, animals, and families—and journey northward to the valley of Nimrod before proceeding through the wilderness under a cloud of divine guidance. The group traveled for years, eventually reaching the seashore at Moriancumer, where they remained in tents for four years; during this time, the Brother of Jared repented for a period of neglected prayer, prompting renewed communion with the Lord. The preparations for their transoceanic voyage highlighted the Brother of Jared's ingenuity and reliance on : the instructed the construction of eight tight, watertight barges, light upon the water like unto the lightness of a and tight like unto a dish, equipped with air holes and provisions but lacking windows or fire for illumination due to the risks of submersion and tempest. Trusting in the 's query for his own proposal, he fashioned stones from a rock on Mount Shelem and presented them in prayer, leading to the pivotal moment when the extended His hand and touched each one, first revealing His finger, which initially struck the Brother of Jared with fear despite his perfect faith, and then, at his request, manifesting His entire premortal form as Christ. In this encounter, Christ explained His role as creator and redeemer, foretold the mortal ministry and , and commissioned the Brother of Jared to record these visions on plates, which were later sealed up by Moroni until a time of sufficient faith, underscoring the Brother of Jared's unique spiritual attainment as one who "saw the " face to face.

Name and Identity

Anonymity in the Book of Ether

In the , the central figure known as the brother of Jared is consistently referred to solely by this relational title, without any personal name provided throughout the narrative's key chapters. This occurs in chapters 1 through 3, where he is introduced and depicted as Jared's spiritually favored sibling who intercedes through ( 1:34), and extends to chapter 6, which describes the successful ocean voyage and his later life among the ( 6:1–29). This deliberate anonymity serves a purpose by positioning the brother of Jared as a representative figure for the collective faith of his people, rather than an individually glorified leader, thereby underscoring themes of humility and communal reliance on divine guidance during the ' migration. By withholding his name, the text contrasts his obedient communion with God against the prideful aspirations of the builders, who sought to "make us a name" (Genesis 11:4), emphasizing instead the ' unified preservation through faith. The also parallels other unnamed righteous figures in scripture who facilitate communal without personal acclaim, such as the intercessory roles of unnamed prophets or servants who lead families or groups toward covenant blessings. In this vein, the brother of Jared's unnamed status highlights his function in enabling the Jaredite family's migration and establishment in , prioritizing group covenant over individual legacy. A specific textual example appears in Ether 2:5, where the brother of Jared is engaged in for the people's preservation during their wilderness journey, yet the verse introduces his divine interaction without naming him, focusing instead on the Lord's responsive guidance in a . This choice reinforces the narrative's emphasis on his role as a humble mediator for the collective group.

Revelation of the Name Mahonri Moriancumer

In 1834, while residing in , was asked by Elder Reynolds Cahoon to bless and name his newborn son. During the blessing, Smith named the child Mahonri Moriancumer, explaining that the Lord had just revealed this to be the name of the Brother of Jared, the faithful from the who led his people from the . This incident, occurring five years after the Book of Mormon's publication, provided a for the figure intentionally left anonymous in the scriptural text. The etymology of the name remains interpretive, with "Moriancumer" directly associated with the sea of Moriancumer referenced in Ether 2:1, the coastal area where the settled after their journey. "Mahonri" has been proposed by some scholars to derive from possibly meaning "one who is greatly beloved," reflecting the Brother of Jared's profound and close relationship with the , though such linguistic connections are not definitively established. Within Latter-day Saint tradition, the name Mahonri Moriancumer is widely accepted and referenced in church teachings, manuals, and historical accounts to humanize the scriptural narrative, yet it holds no status in standard works like the or . It appears in educational resources and other church materials, underscoring its role in devotional contexts without altering the original text's emphasis on anonymity.

Historical and Scriptural Context

The Jaredite Era and Confusion of Tongues

The are depicted in the as a pre-Columbian civilization originating from the and migrating to the , descending from , his brother (known as the Brother of Jared), and their families and friends who were preserved during the events surrounding the . Their history spans approximately 1,600 years, from their departure from the until their eventual destruction around 600 B.C. due to internal wars, as recorded in the . This narrative positions the as one of the earliest groups to inhabit the , distinct from later Nephite and Lamanite societies. The Confusion of Tongues, a pivotal event in both biblical and accounts, parallels the incident described in Genesis 11:1-9, where humanity's unified language was divided by divine intervention, leading to the scattering of peoples across the earth. In the , this event is elaborated in verses 1:33-37, stating that the , in His wrath, confounded the languages at the great tower, causing the people to be scattered upon the face of the earth as sworn in divine judgment. This scattering disrupted societal unity and marked the dispersion of post-flood populations, setting the stage for the ' unique journey. According to Latter-day Saint , the Jaredite era is placed in the post-, pre-Abrahamic period, approximately 2200 B.C., shortly after Noah's and before the covenant with Abraham around 2000 B.C. The Jaredites were distinguished by their preservation from this linguistic division; through the prayers of the Brother of Jared, the had compassion and did not confound their language, allowing , his brother, and their companions to retain their ability to communicate. This divine mercy enabled their group to remain intact amid the broader scattering, facilitating their subsequent travels as a cohesive people.

Relation to the Jaredites' Migration

The Brother of Jared served as the primary spiritual leader for his family and companions during the ' exodus from the region near the , where his fervent prayers directly influenced divine intervention to preserve their language and unity amid the confusion of tongues. Described as a "large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the ," he interceded on behalf of his brother , requesting that the not confound their speech, which prompted compassion from and spared them from linguistic division. Extending his pleas, the Brother of Jared cried unto the for their friends and families as well, ensuring that a larger group remained unconfounded and capable of collective migration. This role positioned him as the conduit for ongoing , guiding the group's departure from the toward a divinely appointed destination. The migrating party included the Brother of Jared and his immediate family—comprising sons and daughters—alongside Jared's household and their associates, forming a cohesive group that traveled in multiple barges across the . Traditional interpretations based on scriptural details of their familial structure suggest eight barges in total, accommodating the extended families of Jared's four sons and the Brother of Jared's four sons, along with provisions for flocks, herds, and other animals. Upon embarking, the group commended themselves to the , enduring a 344-day voyage driven by a divinely directed furious toward the , during which they praised continually despite tempests and submersion. This journey underscored the Brother of Jared's in maintaining , as he led in songs of throughout the ordeal. The migration fulfilled a covenantal promised land motif, with the directing the to a "land of promise, which was choice above all other lands," preserved for a righteous people and interpreted in Latter-day Saint theology as the . swore in His wrath that any nation possessing this land must serve Him—the true and only —or face being "swept off" upon ripening in iniquity, emphasizing from bondage and only for those who serve Christ. Upon arrival, the group humbled themselves in gratitude, establishing a foundation for contingent on . The Brother of Jared's foundational role initiated the Jaredite lineage, which proliferated into a nation with kings beginning with Orihah, Jared's son, and eventually led to cycles of righteousness and wickedness culminating in total destruction by civil war around 600 B.C. Moroni, the final Nephite prophet, abridged the 24 gold plates containing the Jaredite record—discovered by Limhi's people—into the , preserving this history as a cautionary narrative on the consequences of forsaking covenants in the . This abridgment highlights the ' rise from humble migrants to a mighty civilization, only to perish due to unrepentant iniquity, serving as a theological warning for latter-day inhabitants.

Key Events in the Narrative

Journey from the Tower of Babel

Following the confusion of languages at the , Jared and his brother led their families and companions, along with gathered flocks of every kind, into the valley of northward from the tower. They prepared vessels to carry from the waters, laid snares for fowls of the air, and brought swarms of honey bees along with seeds of every kind from the land, ensuring provisions for their sustenance and livestock during . The Lord appeared in a cloud and commanded them to journey into an uninhabited quarter of the wilderness, going before them to provide directions on their path. As they traveled, the group constructed barges to cross various bodies of water encountered en route, continually guided by the Lord's hand without explicit mention of a navigational device, though their steering concerns arose later in preparations. Divine favor preserved their flocks and ensured no hunger or thirst afflicted them, as their gathered resources sustained the company through the wilderness stages. The journey culminated when they arrived at the great sea that divided the lands, where they pitched tents and named the place Moriancumer. They dwelt there in tents along the seashore for four years. At the end of four years, the Lord came down in a and chastened the brother of Jared for neglecting but forgave him and his brethren upon , warning that the Spirit would not always strive with the unrepentant and instructing him on obedience, emphasizing that the required serving the true God or facing destruction when ripened in iniquity. This multi-year trek through and waters underscored the group's reliance on and divine direction before attempting the ocean crossing.

Construction of the Barges

Following the Lord's command to prepare for an ocean crossing, the brother of Jared directed the construction of eight barges to transport his brother , their families, and associates to the . These vessels were built after the pattern of smaller barges the group had previously used to navigate inland waters during their journey from the . The brother of Jared and his brethren carried out the work precisely as instructed, emphasizing obedience to divine specifications over independent innovation. The barges were designed for durability and seaworthiness, measuring the length of a and featuring peaked ends to cut through waves. Each was rendered exceedingly watertight, with the bottom, sides, and top sealed to hold water like a dish, and a door that closed tightly in the same manner. For ventilation, plugs were installed in holes at the top and bottom, allowing air to enter when open but enabling quick closure against flooding during storms. Lacking sails or rudders, the barges depended on winds directed by the for propulsion and navigation across the great sea. Upon completing the vessels, the brother of Jared informed the that he had followed the directives faithfully, confirming their readiness for the voyage over . This construction phase highlighted the ' reliance on revelation, as the brother of Jared served as the primary conduit for the Lord's guidance to the group. The barges ultimately proved sufficient for the 344-day journey, withstanding fierce tempests and submersion while carrying provisions and passengers safely to their destination.

Solution for Light in the Barges

As the prepared their barges for the transoceanic voyage, the brother of Jared identified a critical challenge: the sealed vessels, designed to withstand being "buried in the depths of the sea" amid fierce waves, lacked any source of , rendering and survival difficult during the prolonged journey in darkness. The acknowledged this issue, explaining that windows would shatter under the pressure of the waters and that could not be used as it might consume the limited air supply, then directly asked the brother of Jared, "What will ye that I should do that ye may have in your vessels?" In response, the brother of Jared proposed an innovative solution by fashioning sixteen small stones from molten rock, creating them white and clear like transparent to serve as potential light sources for the eight barges. He prepared two stones for each vessel, demonstrating initiative in addressing the problem rather than awaiting further divine instruction. This approach highlighted the brother of Jared's proactive , as he studied the challenge, crafted the stones himself, and then sought the Lord's assistance to activate them, illustrating a pattern where the Lord encourages personal effort before providing additional help. To complete the preparation, he ascended Mount Shelem, noted for its great height, carrying the stones in his hands to pray for their illumination during the voyage across the "raging deep."

Theophany and Visions

Presentation of the Stones to the Lord

Following the earlier inquiry about providing for the barges, the Brother of Jared prepared sixteen small, transparent stones molten from rock and ascended Mount Shelem, a peak of great height, to present them in . Carrying the stones in his hands to the summit, he prostrated himself before the , acknowledging human weakness and the holiness of while expressing dependence on after years of affliction in the . In his , the Brother of Jared cast the stones before the as a solution to the practical challenge of during the sea voyage, humbly pleading for their illumination to benefit his . He affirmed the 's omnipotence, stating, "touch these stones, O , with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in ," thereby demonstrating profound and submission rather than . This act of presentation underscored his , as he recognized that even great divine power might appear small to understanding, yet trusted in God's ability to fulfill the need. The emotional depth of the Brother of Jared's plea revealed a transition from addressing a logistical concern to invoking a deeper spiritual covenant, marking the stones not merely as tools but as instruments of divine intervention. In response, the Lord extended His hand and touched each stone, preparing them to provide the requested and initiating an encounter of unprecedented intimacy. This moment of presentation thus bridged the earthly preparation of the vessels with a profound , highlighting the Brother of Jared's role as a faithful intermediary for his people's journey.

Revelation of the Lord's Spirit Body

In the narrative, after the Brother of Jared presented the sixteen transparent stones to the atop Mount Shelem and prayed for divine intervention to provide for the barges during the ocean voyage, the responded by stretching forth His hand and touching each stone one by one with His finger. This act caused the stones to shine forth with a glow, resolving the challenge of illumination in the sealed vessels. As the performed this , the was lifted from the Brother of Jared's eyes, allowing him to behold the Lord's finger, which appeared as the finger of a man, resembling flesh and blood. Struck with fear at this unprecedented manifestation, the Brother of Jared fell to the earth before the . The , observing the Brother of Jared's , inquired why he had fallen and reassured him to arise. Trembling, the Brother of Jared explained that he had seen the 's and feared being smitten, as he had not previously known that the possessed flesh and blood. This encounter marked a pivotal moment of , where the Brother of Jared's exceeding enabled him to perceive a tangible aspect of the divine form, an experience unique among mortals up to that point. In response, the affirmed that the Brother of Jared's had allowed him to see the finger of His spirit body, which mirrored the flesh and blood He would later assume. The further explained that this spirit body was the form after which humanity had been created in the beginning, emphasizing the premortal existence of spirits and their tangible, nature. This doctrinal insight underscored the 's premortal identity and the inherent spiritual resemblance between and humankind, providing a foundational understanding of divine embodiment in Latter-day Saint theology. The illuminated stones, now prepared by this divine touch, ensured safe passage across the waters, fulfilling their practical purpose for the Jaredite journey.

Pre-Mortal Vision of Jesus Christ

Following the revelation of His spirit body, the Lord's response to the brother of Jared's unparalleled extended to an expansive encompassing Christ's premortal existence and future mortal mission. The Lord declared, "Because of thy thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding as thou hast" (Ether 3:9), affirming that this enabled the brother of Jared to perceive divine truths otherwise veiled from humanity. In this vision, Christ revealed His identity as the premortal , stating, "Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the and the . In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters" (Ether 3:14). This disclosure highlighted Christ's foreordained role in the premortal council of heaven as the Redeemer, whose would provide eternal life through , establishing Him as both the Creator and Savior. The vision further unveiled key aspects of Christ's mortal ministry, including His birth into flesh, earthly teachings and works, sacrificial death, and resurrection. Christ explained that He would appear to His people "in the flesh" in the same manner as He then appeared in spirit (Ether 3:16), and that He ministered to the brother of Jared "even as he ministered unto the Nephites" (Ether 3:18), foreshadowing His future interactions with humanity through doctrine, miracles, and personal ministry. Because the brother of Jared's faith allowed no doubt—"for he knew, nothing doubting" (Ether 3:19)—the Lord could not withhold "all things" from his sight, including the births, lives, deaths, and judgments of all inhabitants of the earth, past and future, up to the ends of time (Ether 3:25–26). This panoramic revelation underscored Christ's central role in salvation history, with His atonement addressing human sin and enabling redemption from the Fall (Ether 3:13). In response, the brother of Jared testified of the 's truthfulness, affirming, "Yea, , I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a of truth, and canst not lie" (Ether 3:12), demonstrating his complete redemption and restoration to through faith (Ether 3:13). To protect the sacred nature of these revelations until Christ's mortal glorification, the commanded the brother of Jared to record the vision on plates, seal them, and reveal them only in His due time, using interpreters to magnify the record for future generations (Ether 3:21, 27). This measure ensured the visions remained confidential during the brother of Jared's lifetime, preserving their doctrinal purity and preventing premature dissemination (Ether 3:14).

Legacy and Theological Significance

Role in Book of Mormon Record-Keeping

The Brother of Jared received divine instruction to document his profound vision of the premortal Savior, which he wrote on plates that were later sealed. Following the described in Ether 3, the Lord commanded him to write the full account of this , along with all that he had seen and heard, emphasizing its confidentiality until a future time appointed by . This record was then sealed by divine directive and passed down through his descendants, beginning with his son Pagag, with explicit prohibitions against its disclosure except by 's command, ensuring its preservation as a hidden testament within the Jaredite lineage. This sealed record was meticulously transmitted through successive generations of Jaredite prophets, safeguarding its contents amid the rise and fall of their civilization. It was transmitted through successive generations of Jaredite prophets, ultimately reaching the prophet Ether, who incorporated it into his comprehensive chronicle of the Jaredites' history and prophecies. Ether's broader record, in turn, was abridged centuries later by Moroni, the final Nephite prophet, who condensed key elements—including references to the Brother of Jared's plates—into the Book of Ether while respecting the seal on the visionary portion. This abridgment process highlights the record's role as a foundational element in the compilation of the Book of Mormon, bridging ancient Jaredite revelations with later Nephite documentation. The sealed record of the Brother of Jared's vision remains undisclosed, containing the unexpurgated details of the Brother of Jared's , which the prophesied would be revealed only in the to those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ and heed His covenants. Moroni, in his abridgment, quoted the 's words affirming that this revelation's timing depends on the spiritual readiness of humanity, underscoring its eschatological significance within the Book of Mormon's prophetic framework. This sealed content thus represents a deferred but promised expansion of scriptural canon, tied directly to the Brother of Jared's original inscription. The plates themselves were rediscovered centuries after the Jaredites' destruction, found among a cache of ancient records by the people of King Limhi during their explorations in the land of Desolation. These artifacts, including the twenty-four gold plates, were brought to , where King Mosiah translated them using the interpreters, thereby integrating the Jaredite history—including the abridged account of the Brother of Jared's record—into Nephite knowledge and scripture. This translation event not only preserved the narrative but also facilitated its inclusion in the broader record compiled by Mormon and Moroni.

Exemplar of Faith in Latter-day Saint Teachings

In Latter-day Saint doctrine, the Brother of Jared exemplifies proactive faith, as illustrated by his initiative in fashioning sixteen stones from rock and presenting them to the Lord for illumination during the ocean voyage, rather than passively awaiting divine intervention. This act, described in Ether 3:1–5, underscores obedience coupled with personal effort, prompting the Lord to touch the stones and imbue them with light. His approach highlights a core theme: faith requires action, aligning with the principle that "the Lord doth not require that man should run faster than he hath strength," yet expects diligent seeking of His guidance. The Brother of Jared's reaches its zenith in his atop Mount Shelem, where unwavering belief allows him to see beyond the of mortality. The explains, "Because of thy thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my ," and further, "He that can see me can see also." This of the premortal spirit body of Jesus Christ symbolizes access to God's presence through perfect , a doctrine echoed in 17:1–3, where the needed to witness the plates is compared directly to the Brother of Jared's, as both involve divine manifestations granted to the faithful without altering the natural order. Latter-day Saint leaders frequently interpret the Brother of Jared's experience as a model for overcoming spiritual darkness through belief in the unseen. In a 2004 address, described how the Brother of Jared's lifetime of incremental —starting with small trusts and building to profound —transforms lives, urging modern believers to exercise similar reliance on the for guidance. , in the same year, emphasized this as finding in Jesus Christ, quoting the Lord's appearance to affirm that such visions come to those who repent and seek with pure . Earlier, in 2003, Hales portrayed the Brother of Jared's diligence amid tribulation—preparing vessels and stones despite uncertainty—as essential to gaining and , teaching that bridges human weakness to divine power. This narrative parallels biblical theophanies, such as beholding God on Sinai (Exodus 33:18–23), in revealing divine form through covenant faithfulness, yet stands unique in Latter-day for explicitly depicting the premortal Christ, reinforcing beliefs in eternal progression and pre-mortal existence. The Brother of Jared's story permeates Latter-day Saint culture, inspiring youth lessons in the Come, Follow Me program that explore faith's role in personal revelation, and featured in official artwork like Robert T. Barrett's depiction of the Lord's finger touching the stones. It also appears in children's songs recounting his journey, reinforcing themes of trust for younger audiences.

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