Ether 5

Ether 5

Moroni’s Word of Warning

Ether 5:1–2

1 And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.

2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;

Comments

This very short chapter was also a chapter in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon. It is Moroni speaking, and it is unrelated to his task of writing the book of Ether. When he states, “Ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates,” it is very clear that Moroni is addressing Joseph Smith directly. This entire chapter is written directly to the person who will be translating the records. It is obvious that Moroni has seen him, and, as part of the vision he has had of the coming forth of the record that he and his father wrote, he saw Joseph’s role as well.

The testificatory amen at the end of the previous chapter was the reason the chapter had ended. What Moroni was speaking of at that time was the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and he gave an admonition to those who would receive it that they should repent and be baptized (Ether 4:18–19). With that on his mind, Moroni turned his thoughts to Joseph Smith and the way in which this record might be deemed to be true. That was a topic he covered in Ether 4:11–12, and he picks it up here, but in a much more precise direction toward Joseph Smith.

Verse 2 sets the stage for both the three and the eight witnesses.

Ether 5:3–5

3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.

4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.

5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God.

Comments

Although verse 2 of this chapter allows for the eight witnesses, the instructions are specifically for the three witnesses. Those were the first to receive that privilege. The reason for choosing three is based on the Deuteronomic requirement of the number of witnesses that would establish truth. Therefore, the three are intended to represent a truthful witness.

Verse 4 indicates that they would not only be able to testify of the plates, but also of the “power of God.” Thus, it was only the three that received the visionary experience. The promise to the three is that if they are repentant and continue in faithfulness, they would “come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, [and] they shall be received into the kingdom of God.” Even though the three may have wavered in their testimony of Joseph, they never did waver in their testimony of the plates and their experience as witnesses.

Ether 5:6

6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.

Comments

Moroni closes this chapter with amen, because he is testifying to the truth of what he has just declared. Interestingly, he also states, in a negatively introduced statement, that he has authority from God “for these things” of which he declared. Humankind might wonder about his authority, but when we present ourselves before God in our judgement, we will know for certain that he did have that authority.