November 18-24: Ether 6-11

"That Evil May Be Done Away"

Brent Croxton (American, born 1955)
16 Stones (triptych) (2018)
Digital giclee art prints, 20 x 20 inches, each
Courtesy of the artist
croxtonbrent@gmail.com

The artist Brent Croxton writes, “The story of the Brother of Jared is my wife’s favorite scripture story from the Book of Mormon. I created this art print triptych for her. This series is a graphic interpretation that follows the telling of this amazing story. The scripture says that the Brother of Jared ‘did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying… touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness.’ The Lord then touched each stone, one by one, with His finger and they shone.” {Ether 3:1, 4)

Croxton continues, “Interestingly enough, the British explorer, Percy Fawcett, conducted multiple expeditions to Brazil during the 1920s where he is said to have died in the jungle searching for a lost city he called ‘Z’ where some of the indigenous people believed a special temple was built that was lit by shining crystals. Also, in the Old Testament story of Noah, there is a reference to a window that Noah built into the ark. (Genesis 6:16) In the footnote related to that verse it says, the English word ‘window’ was translated from the Hebrew word ‘tsohar’ which ‘some rabbis believed was a precious stone that shone in the ark.’”

Discussion Questions

1. While in the barges, tossed by a "furious wind" causing them "many times" to be "buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves" and "the great and terrible tempests," (Ether 6:5-6), the Lord caused the wind to always blow them "towards the promised land" (Ether 6:5) [see also: "the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land" (Ether 6;8)]. How can this understanding of the direction that the wind is blowing help when you are buried in the depths of trouble and facing mountains of woes?

2. Much of the trouble for the people in these chapters happens in darkness and in secret (for example Ether 8:16, 18). What about darkness and secrets can lead to trouble?

3. Under Lib's leadership, the people worked hard - "they were exceedingly industrious" (Ether 10:22). "Never could [there] be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord" (Ether 10:28). Does hard work always lead to blessings? Are the blessings always material/financial?

For Children & Youth 

1.  While they were in the barges, the brother of Jared and the other people in the boat "did sing praises unto the Lord," all day long and into the night (Ether 6:9).  When you think of singing praises of thanks to the Lord, what song do you want to sing?  Maybe you might want to write some words (or a poem) to such a song of praise.  If you were in a barge on and under the waves, what would you want to include in your songs of praise?

2.  Young people can have tremendous power and influence for good or for evil.  In these chapters, we read of "the daughter of Jared' who was "exceedingly expert" in persuasion (Ether 8:8).  She thought up an evil plan to help her father get more power (Ether 8:9-11) and she was directly the one to put the whole plan of darkness into effect (Ether 8:17).  She used her power and influence for evil.  How have you used your power and influence to bring about good?    When she was the General Young Women's President, Elaine S. Dalton said to and of the young women in the Church, "Today there could be no more powerful force for virtue in the world.  You must never underestimate the power of your righteous influence," ("A Return to Virtue, October 2008 General Conference).

3. Art Project: Take a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" stiff paper. Draw onto the paper what you think the barges might have looked like, including the waves tossing them along. Roll the paper into a large tube and staple or tape it together. Punch 3 or 4 holes on the top and thread string through, tying them together into a knot to suspend your tube. Now punch many holes along the bottom end of the tube. Tie pieces of ribbon, string, strips of cloth, or yarn from the holes to make a windsock. Hang your windsock outside where you can see the wind blow the streamers and remind you that the Lord is blowing you, through a furious wind, in the direction of your Promised Land.