Ether: A Brief Theological Introduction

The Book of Mormon: brief theological introductions #11

by Rosalynde Frandsen Welch

And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God that ye may repent. Following the destruction of the Nephite people, Moroni works in solitude to complete a long-promised translation of an ancient the Jaredite plates. Discovered amid the ruins of a lost civilization, this record has captivated Nephites imaginations for centuries. Now Moroni sees foreshadowed therein the spiritual wonders and historical tragedies of his own people. In this brief theological introduction, literary scholar Rosalynde Frandsen Welch explores the book of Ether a sweeping history in which Moroni, absorbed in the past, turns his heart to future readers whose spiritual fate will be at stake. According to Welch, Moroni s work as translator-prophet brilliantly reframes the nature of scripture itself. Like the brother of Jared s luminous stones, Moroni s offering glows with his powerful testimony of Christ. In faith, his record extends the promise of Christ s saving power to people in every place and time.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Theology, Church, Mormonism

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2020

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I have read the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon more times than I can count, Rosalynde Frandsen Welch uncovered truths that I had not noticed in the past. One truth I will touch on is Welch's point, that "God manifests his power to his children, individually and collectively, in a form befitting the character of our faith." This caused me to think of the variety of ways people recognize God's power in their life--it is not the same for everyone. God speaks to each in the language that the individual best understands. While this was not Welch's initial point, her statement led me to that recognition.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that I agree with Rosalynde that the connection between the appearance of the Lord's finger in Ether Chapter 2 is as tied to the overall project of the Book of Mormon as she claims, but this is still a great book musing on poor Moroni and his project, how he adapts the book of Ether into that project, and many of the related issues of what constitutes scripture and how we can use these very human writings to encounter the divine. The best of these "Brief Theological Introductions" uses the text to springboard into a good discussion, and while I didn't find the springboard particularly compelling, there are good insights about the text and the discussion is compelling. This did not feel like an agenda imposed on the text like some of the other volumes in this series, and so I found it more enjoyable even I didn't quite buy a few of the connections she made.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars. I trudged through the first half but really liked and got great insight from the 2nd half. In particular the author’s discussion of the “weakness of God” through the prism of the story of the Brother of Jared I found remarkably enlightening.

[William Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having delayed my review several weeks, I find it hard to be specific in my praise of this second-to-last volume in the Brief Theological Introductions to the Book of Mormon, but this was one of the standouts of the series. The depth of scholarship continues to impress, and the level of both the writing and thinking behind it are extremely high.

Welch’s re-situating of Ether as a microcosm for the Book of Mormon overall, while simultaneously providing an outlet for Moroni to process the destruction of his people as a parallel and second iteration of the same pride cycle experienced by the Jaredites, is both masterful and insightful. The particular attention she provides to Moroni’s strong interest in Christianizing the Jaredite record and almost total disinterest in the culture and context of that people is also intriguing, with an interesting modern parallel in the colonizing aspects of European settlement in America and the early Church members’ interactions with the indigenous Americans. Uncomfortable at times, but important to understand.

Perhaps the most impactful portion for me comes at the end. The most masterful of conclusions across the entire series (thus far), Welch re-situates once more the crowning event of the Jaredite record, the vision of the brother of Jared, as a type of the Plan of Salvation. Knowledge is what separates man from God, and as we approach in faith and understanding, the veil is parted, and we are reunited with God. It’s a powerful passage.

[Ethan Unklesbay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only wish these books had come out sooner.

This volume helps me see the events of the BoM as happening over the course of more than a thousand years. Welch underscores that Moroni looks from the pre-Nephite people up to his own day, and beyond towards our present—and he sees people and circumstances that are constantly changing, and doctrines and truths that do not change.

An excellent addition to this series.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing my read of BTI as I'm working through the Book of Mormon this year for Sunday School. This was a very pleasant, thoughtful read. It doesn't attempt to cover all the material in the book, leaning towards specific themes. All the books in this series vary on that spectrum. Welch focuses mostly on Moroni as compiler and editor rather than the events in the book. Some interesting thoughts on the ethics of appropriating texts from a different culture from your own ends, which Moroni is effectively doing here. We usually sweep that under the rug in Sunday School, because as Mormons we have this assumption that the gospel looks essentially the same throughout all cultures everywhere. The two most profound additions to my understanding of the gospel according to the Book of Mormon are (1) how Moroni uses the book of Ether as a template for the Gentiles in the modern day. Moroni is writing from within the Abrahamic covenant, while the Jaredites were not. Really profound, as it changes the way you read the book. and (2) Welch's re-reading of the famous "weak things become strong" to focus not on the writer, but the reader. It's the grace that falls on us receiving the book that make it into scripture. I did wish she had room to cover the 1000+ year history of the Jaredites-- it is barely touched at all other than to comment that Moroni doesn't care about it, except when it supports his doctrinal ends. We just had the lesson on this, Ether 6-11, last Sunday, and it was very fun looking for hidden gems in there. There was one nugget I had never pieced together-- Welch suggests that Moroni is inspired by the stones touched by Christ in the Brother of Jared narrative, and uses similar language himself when talking about his editing the Book of Mormon. They are two things of the same kind. Just like there were 16 stones, there are 16 books in the Book of Mormon. Loved it!

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brief theological introduction to the book of Ether hones in on the author Moroni's wrestle with the underlying Jaredite text. We learn to see the book of Ether less as an account of the rise and fall of the Jaredites -- the common LDS perspective -- and more as Moroni's effort to cast the Jaredite experience as a parallel to both past Nephite and future Gentile experience. In so doing, Welch teases out an expansive theology that imagines salvation for those inside and outside ethnic "chosenness." She also suggests an understanding of the Book of Mormon, not as an artifact that God dedicated at a single moment in time, but rather as an amalgam of countless micro events that flash into sacredness only when a reader engages them.

Welch's insights are fresh, heartfelt, and inspiring. This volume is up there with the best of this excellent series.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure if it was the writing or my own lack of focus but this wasn’t my favorite in the series. There were a few great points to keep in mind, however. For example, how the brother of Jared might have been astonished at seeing the finger of the Lord because he didn’t think of God as a being like us and how he then had to still keep faith that such a being would safely carry him across the vast ocean. That’s a pretty cool thought.

[Louise Hartvigsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really resonated with the author's premise that the reader is an important part of whether writings become sacred/scripture. That every time we approach reading sacred texts, we can be renewed and gain something important, like in the four year rotation of the standard works in church wide study plans.

[RK Bitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful examination of the Book of Ether and the man behind it all, Moroni. Very insightful. Took me a bit to get through so what resonates is found in the latter half. Scripture becomes scripture when we read with real intent and God touches it, letting it illuminate our entire journey across the great deep.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking

This is the second book in this series that I have read and again have found it very informative and thought provoking. It really brings to light that there is much more in the scriptures than reading, even regular reading and studying has brought to my mind. Well worth the time and consideration.

[conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great insights here, making this another excellent addition to the series. I particularly loved the way that Rosalynde talks about the Jaredites and how Moroni is thinking about and revising and interpreting the teachings and history of the Jaredites to find Christian ideas and beliefs.

[Courtney Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. There really isn’t a weak link in the series. Comparing Brother of Jared’s 16 stones to Moroni’s compiling 16 books of scripture and both needing the Lord’s sanctifying touch? Exquisitely presented. My vision is expanded, and I’m feeling so grateful for the work of these scholars.

[Sherman Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another worthwhile and thought provoking entry to this series. Welch gave me several new angles to think about the Book of Ether.

I appreciated her take on how Moroni may have seen this history of an extra-Israelite people (not a directly a party to the Abrahamic covenant) as especially meaningful to us Gentiles who would have the Book of Mormon today.

Also resonated with the final chapter "A Reader Centered Theology of Scripture" where Welch proposes that a text becomes "scripture" not necessarily by some ecclesiastical stamp of approval, but instead as a reader approaches it with a sincere heart, real intent, and the companionship of the Spirit. Love this line "The Book of Mormon comes into the world anew every time a reader cracks its cover a recieves the grace shining from its pages."

[Greg Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Scripture's center of gravity lies in the present, not in the past."

This is just one of the many lines I found myself pondering again and again in this wonderful work. Welch has a beautiful perspective coupled with an insightful approach to theological writing.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas. Scripture looks more toward readership to establish scriptural authority than it does toward authorship. Trusting in the saving power of a God incarnate and wounded, who reveals himself in weakness, requires more faith than confidence in a mighty Lord of Hosts.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The portions on the formation of scripture, time, and "these things" were all fascinating and shined. Otherwise sometimes very repetitive and not as compelling in its evidence (the argument may be there, but the evidence was not highlighted).

[Chanel Earl]

I really liked chapter 4.

[Brad Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023- Jun

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a hard time getting into this one.

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say this is one of the better ones in the series. She identifies some important themes and teases out some insights from some close reading.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books has me thinking about the gentle power of God, as represented by Christ’s finger. We all can use our gentle power to make needed change in the world.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved looking at Ether from the POV of universal human salvation outside of the house of Israel.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insights into the book of Ether. Very glad I read this.

[Dixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I'll need to revisit this book when I have more brain space to focus on the text.

[Jenalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very strong insights.

[Bennett Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written and i enjoyed the perspectives the author took for the book of Ether.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing, and beautiful thought going on here in this volume. There's so much creativity here in Welch's reading, grounded in an incredible textual dexterity, and the result is a book that makes seemingly familiar stories, such as the Brother of Jared and the sixteen stones, into rich sites for ongoing reflection. I'm of the belief that the Book of Ether is central to understanding the project of the Book of Mormon as a whole, and Welch's work here takes up issues of scriptural production, reading, and translation in ways that support this approach to Ether.