Moroni 1-6

 Moroni 1

Though he hadn’t meant to add more to this record

Moroni hoped these next chapters would be of worth.

He had to stay on the run since the Lamanites

Would kill him because he would not deny the Christ.

 

Moroni 2

First Moroni shared what Jesus had said to those

Chosen as disciples about the Holy Ghost,

“Pray to Heavenly Father in my name and then

“You’ll be able to give the Holy Ghost to men.”

Only the disciples were privileged to hear it.

By the laying on of hands they gave the Spirit.

 

Moroni 3

This chapter explains how one should ordain a priest

Sharing the exact words that call each man to preach.

These words are for teachers, as well, Moroni said.

Hands should be laid on the priest or the teacher’s head.

Moroni 4

Here Moroni wrote down the first sacrament prayer.

It’s used for the bread in our churches everywhere.

Those who keep their part of the covenant will then

Always have the Lord’s Spirit to be there with them.

 

Moroni 5

Here Moroni shared how their church would bless the wine.

This is in D&C 20, verse 79.

In the present day, water represents His blood.

If we drink we’re told we’ll have His spirit with us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moroni 6

In this chapter Moroni spoke of baptism.

First, to qualify, one must meet the conditions:

Show that you are worthy and have a broken heart,

Repent of your sins so that you have a clean start,

Take Christ’s name, decide that you’ll serve Him to the end,

Then you’re truly ready to be baptized and cleansed.

Take good care of those who’ve been baptized afterward,

Remember each one and nourish them with God’s word.

Watch over them, pray that they’ll stay in the right way.

Then rely on Christ, that He will finish their faith.

Moroni described why Nephite church members went:

To support their members and take the sacrament.

They would fast and pray.  They were strict if there was sin

But anyone who would repent was forgiven.

Their meetings were led by the Holy Ghost’s promptings,

Leading them to preach, pray, to supplicate or sing.

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

Ether 12-15

 Ether 12

Ether lived in the days of Coriantumr.

Though no one would listen, he preached on, undeterred.

“Believers can hope for a better world,” he taught,

“They’ll be given a place at the right hand of God.

“Their hope acts like an anchor and it will help them

“Keep their souls steadfast, sure, always avoiding sin.”

Here Moroni wrote about what having faith means:

We have faith when we hope for things we haven’t seen.

“Do not doubt though you’ve not yet seen it with your eyes,

“You won’t have a witness until your faith’s been tried.”

Then he shared examples of faith in the scriptures,

“It is thanks to their faith that miracles occurred.

“We must first believe in the Son of God,” he said,

“To see miracles like the Brother of Jared.”

Then Moroni shared, “Though we’re mighty when we speak,

“I worry we’ll be mocked because our writing’s weak.”

But the Lord assured him, “Fools mock but don’t worry,

“They will mourn!  My grace is sufficient for the meek.

“All men have weakness.  They’ll be humbled before long.

“If they have faith in me I’ll make those weak things strong.”

Last, he shared that he has seen Jesus, face to face.

“Seek this Jesus,” he shared, that you may have His grace.”

 

Ether 13

At this point Moroni finished Ether’s record.

The Jaredites rejected all of Ether’s words.

Ether spoke of his land, of how it was chosen

And that it would be called a New Jerusalem.

He shared many marvelous and great prophecies

But they cast him out, he was so poorly esteemed.

So by day he hid in a cave and there he’d write

Of his people’s destruction that he viewed at night.

Many tried to destroy King Coriantumr

But he fought them off.  He was a great warrior.

None of Coriantumr’s people would repent.

Neither would his enemies, so Ether was sent.

He told the king, “Repent!  You’ll be spared if you do.

“If you don’t everyone will be destroyed but you.”

Neither the Jaredites nor their king would listen.

They tried to kill Ether and so he hid again.

The land was full of bloodshed, wickedness and robbers.

Then a man named Shared fought Coriantumr.

They fought back and forth, one would win and later lose.

Each took turns attacking and then being pursued.

When they faced each other in Gilgal Shared died

After wounding Coriantumr in his thigh.

 

Ether 14

At this time the Lord sent a curse upon the land—

They lost their possessions that were not in their hands.

Then Gilead took over.  This did not last long

His high priest murdered him as he sat on the throne.

That high priest was murdered by Lib, a giant man.

He and Coriantumr fought throughout the land.

At the plains of Agosh Lib finally was killed

But Shiz took his place so the battle raged on still.

He was Lib’s brother and he fought ferociously,

Forcing Coriantumr and his men to flee.

Shiz followed and destroyed everything in the land.

Making people worry, “Against Shiz, who can stand?”

So they either joined Coriantumr or Shiz

And soon they would receive what the Lord had promised.

Finally, Shiz caught up to Coriantumr.

They fought by the seashore that was on the border.

Later their armies fought three more times on a hill.

Shiz smote Coriantumr.  It looked like he’d been killed.

Ether 15

Coriantumr would recover from his wounds.

And realized that Ether’s words would come to pass soon.

Two million Jaredites had already been killed.

He felt sorrow seeing the prophecies fulfilled.

He wrote Shiz and offered to give him the kingdom

For his people’s sake if Shiz promised to spare them.

Shiz refused and said he would only stop the fight

If he got to take King Coriantumr’s life.

Coriantumr’s people wouldn’t hear of this,

So they fought twice more against the people of Shiz.

For the next four years they recruited everyone.

This would even include their women and children.

Finally they marched and for five days they would fight

Mourning for all those who had fallen every night.

At this point only 120 were left.

They were mighty men and were all prepared for death.

Soon only 59 were left of those strong men.

When the morning came they awoke and fought again.

Soon all but Coriantumr and Shiz were dead.

Shiz fainted.  Coriantumr cut off his head.

When the king fainted Ether was told to go forth.

He saw their destruction and finished his record.

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

Ether 6-11

 Ether 6

Here Moroni shared more about the Jaredites.

Those sixteen stones worked and gave all the barges light.

After they had gathered their flocks and herds and food

They left and never stopped expressing gratitude.

God produced a wind that would blow them on their way.

Their journey took them 344 days.

When they finally made it to the promised land

They gave thanks for the tender mercies God gave them.

Then they all went forth and began to till the earth

And their families grew larger as each wife gave birth.

They were taught to humbly walk and began to spread.

Knowing he would soon die, the brother of Jared

Asked his brother to gather their women and men.

They asked all the people what was desired of them.

Their people requested that one son be named king.

Both brothers were grieved that they’d request such a thing.

Though they felt that it would lead to captivity

They let their people choose Orihah as their king.

While he reigned both Jared and his brother would die.

Their king walked humbly and God blessed the Jaredites.

 

Ether 7

Though Orihah and his son Kib reigned righteously,

Kib’s rebellious son gathered himself an army.

He took his dad captive.  For many years he’d rule

But while in prison, Kib begat a son named Shule.

Shule was angry with his brother, King Corihor.

He gathered an army and armed his men with swords.

He won back the kingdom and later became king

And, like his grandfather he governed righteously.

But his nephew, Noah, a son of Corihor,

Drew many away, such as his brother, Cohor.

He gave battle to Shule and would take him captive

But Shule’s sons crept into the house to come save him.

They slew Noah and placed their father on his throne.

Meanwhile Noah’s son built a kingdom of his own.

The country was divided between Shule and Cohor.

This would not last long, Cohor was soon killed in war.

Cohor’s son, Nimrod, gave the kingdom back to Shule.

He received great favors under his monarch’s rule.

It was at this point in time that prophets were sent

Saying, “You’ll be destroyed if you do not repent.”

Thanks to Shule’s support the people listened to them

They repented and began to prosper again.

 

Ether 8

Shule’s grandson undoubtedly made his father sad—

He rebelled and took half the kingdom from his dad.

He kept his father, Omer, in captivity

But Omer’s other sons would set their father free.

They were mad at their brother, Jared, and fought him.

When he nearly died Jared gave back the kingdom.

Seeing how her father sorrowed for what was lost,

His daughter would win it back, no matter the cost.

She went before Akish and when he saw her dance

He asked for her hand in marriage; this was her plan.

Jared told Akish, “You can marry my daughter

“Only if you’ll bring me the head of my father.”

Akish formed a band—a secret combination—

Just the kind that led to the Nephites’ destruction.

Every secret combination plays the same role:

Overthrowing freedom in all lands.  That’s the goal.

Any nation that will uphold such corruption

Will, like the Nephites, be subject to destruction.

 

Ether 9

Akish succeeded—his band made Jared the king—

But Omer escaped.  God had warned him in a dream.

Being the king’s son-in-law must not have been enough

Akish wanted more; he had become so corrupt.

So he had his friends murder his father-in-law

And then he, himself, became king over them all.

Omer and his family settled by the seashore

But, in time, they’d come back after a lengthy war.

Though the king, Akish grew so jealous of his son

That he had him starved to death, stuck in a prison.

Akish had more sons, one of whom fled to Omer.

All the rest began a war against their father.

After many years only 30 souls remained

That’s when Omer came back and once again would reign.

When Emer became king he filled his father’s steps,

He ruled righteously and the Jaredites were blessed.

His son, Coriantum, reigned next in righteousness.

He was followed by Com, who was followed by Heth.

Wickedness was widespread.  People forgot the Lord.

Heth dethroned his dad and killed him with his own sword.

Prophets warned the people, calling them to repent.

They would not listen.  God sent famine and serpents.

Many people perished and it was only then

That they repented and God ended the famine.

 

 

 

 

Ether 10

Only one survivor from Heth’s family remained.

He rebuilt the kingdom and virtuously reigned.

While he ruled King Shez walked in the ways of the Lord

But two of his sons made mistakes we can’t ignore.

Shez, his eldest son, rebelled against his father

But then he was killed by the hand of a robber.

Riplakish reigned next after Shez had passed away

His ego and cruelty earned his people’s hate.

After forty two years of his taxes and sins,

They rebelled and would eventually kill him.

Riplakish had a descendant, Morianton,

Who came back later and fought till the throne was won.

He would ease their burdens and earned the people’s trust

But the choices he made for himself were not just.

Morianton’s downfall was immorality.

His successor, Kim, would rule in iniquity.

Kim’s brother imprisoned him.  That’s where Kim would stay

With his sons and daughters for the rest of his days.

His son Levi fought and he won the kingdom back.

He was righteous and got the kingdom back on track.

Corom, Kish and Lib were the kings who would come next.

Each of them were good and all their people were blessed.

But Lib’s son Hearthom was placed in captivity

And for four generations that’s where they would be.

Finally, his great-great-great grandson would fight back

And for years Com refused to give up the attack.

When he beat King Amgid and regained the kingdom,

Robbers were the source of problems for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ether 11

Prophets warned the people, if they did not repent,

They would be destroyed because of their wickedness.

Though they were rejected, King Com protected them

And his days were blessed as he listened to those men.

Shiblom would reign next.  His brother started a war

And killed all the prophets.  Destruction was in store.

All the contentions, pestilences and famines

Would eventually get the people to repent.

When Shiblom was killed his son Seth was imprisoned,

But the kingdom was won back by his wicked son.

Aha’s life was short, he was followed by Ethem.

He was wicked too, so prophets came to warn him.

Nobody would listen, and Ethem’s son, Moron,

Was also wicked and witnessed two rebellions.

Though he won the first fight he would, ultimately,

Spend all the rest of his days in captivity.

His son, Coriantor, spent his days in prison

At which time prophets again warned of destruction.

One such prophet, Ether, was Coriantor’s son.

Their words were, again, rejected by everyone.

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

Ether 1-5

 Ether 1

The next fifteen chapters known as Ether comprise

The account and ministry of the Jaredites.

It begins with its author, Ether’s, family tree

And how his ancestor, Jared, and his family

Were around at the time of the tower of Babel,

When God confounded the language of the people.

Jared’s brother was a large and a mighty man.

He prayed and asked God to show compassion on them.

God spared them and their families and even their friends

And said he’d bless them and lead them to a choice land.

 

Ether 2

They gathered provisions, God led them in a cloud.

Step by step he would show them where to go and how.

He would lead their fam’lies to a land of promise

Where, if they would serve God, they always would be blessed.

But if the people fell into iniquity

They would be swept off; that’s His eternal decree.

This promise applies still, the people will be free—

As long as they serve the Lord—from captivity.

All of Jared’s people were led to the seashore

Where they pitched their tents and would dwell for four years more.

Jared’s brother must not have prayed much for a time.

For three hours the Lord chastised him for being blind.

When he had repented the Lord told him to go

And build eight barges in the way that He would show.

These barges were so tight that they were like a dish

But there were some problems he felt that God had missed,

“How will we have light, Lord?  How will we breathe or steer?”

God gave him a solution so that they’d have air.

When his request for a source of light was renewed

God asked him in return, “What would you have me do?”

 

Ether 3

So the prophet came up with a plan of his own.

He asked God if he would touch sixteen clear, white stones.

Jared’s brother had molten them all out of rock

What would happen next gave this prophet quite a shock.

When he saw that the Lord’s finger was like a man’s

He was shocked!  It took him some time to understand.

“It is thanks to your faith that my finger you’ve seen.”

“Show yourself to me, Lord,” was then the prophet’s plea.

He would then be the first man to see Jesus Christ.

“In me,” said the Savior, “Men have eternal life.”

Though he didn’t have a physical body yet

His spirit looked just how he would look in the flesh.

Jesus ministered to him and gave this command,

“Write about my visit but show it to no man.

“After I have come I’ll make sure that what you write

“Will be shown to all mankind in my own due time.”

 

Ether 4

When would these things come forth?  What did the Savior mean?

Jesus said when Gentiles repent and become clean.

But if they contend against and deny God’s word

They will not be shown greater things; they’ll be accursed.

“If you will believe this you’ll come to know it’s true

“You will know because I’ll send my Spirit to you.

“All that persuades men to do good is of the Lord.

“Good, after all, comes only from me: your Savior.

“Come to me,” Jesus then says to men of our time

“Rend the veil of unbelief that makes your mind blind.

“If your heart is broken and your spirit’s contrite

“You will understand what my servant John will write.

“When you get this record you’ll know the time has come

“For the Father’s work to begin for everyone.

“Repent.  Believe in me.  Be baptized in my name.

“Signs will follow you if you do and you’ll be saved.”

 

Ether 5

In this chapter Moroni says he has foreseen

That the plates would be shown by God’s power to three.

They would testify of The Book of Mormon’s truth.

Their words have been written to strengthen me and you.

  

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes