Ether V

12And it came to pass that the days of Ether was in the days of Coriantumr; and Coriantumr was king over all the land. 2And Ether was a prophet of the Lord; wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be constrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him. 3For he did cry from the morning even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled. 4Wherefore whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith and maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. 5And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe because they saw them not.

6And now I Moroni would speak somewhat concerning these things. I would shew unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen. Wherefore dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. 7For it was by faith that Christ shewed himself unto our fathers after that he had risen from the dead. And he shewed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him. Wherefore it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he shewed himself not unto the world but because of the faith of men: 8he has shewn himself unto the world and glorified the name of the Father and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers off the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen. 9Wherefore ye may also have hope and be partakers of the gift if ye will but have faith. 10Behold, it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God. 11Wherefore by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled. 12For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do no miracle among them; wherefore he shewed not himself until after their faith.

13Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. 14Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost. 15Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. 16Yea, and even all they which wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those which were before Christ, and also them which were after. 17And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

19And there were many whose faith was so exceeding strong, even before Christ came, which could not be kept from within the veil but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad. 20And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God that when God put forth his finger, he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith. 21And after that the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold any thing from his sight; wherefore he shewed him all things, for he could not be kept without the veil. 22And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles. Therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.

23And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things because of our weakness in writing; for Lord, thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, where unto thou hast not made us mighty in writing. For thou hast made all this people that they could speak much because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them. 24And thou hast made us that we could write but little because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty, even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them. 25Thou hast made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them. Wherefore when we write, we behold our weakness and stumble because of the placing of our words. And I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.

26And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn. And my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness. 27And if men come unto me, I will shew unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble. And my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me. for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 28Behold, I will shew unto the Gentiles their weakness. And I will shew unto them that faith, hope, and charity bringeth unto me, the fountain of all righteousness.

29And I Moroni having heard these words was comforted and said: O Lord, thy righteousness will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith. 30For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin: Remove!—and it was removed. And if he had not had faith, it would not have moved. Wherefore thou workest after that men have faith. 31For thus did thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after that they had faith and did speak in thy name, thou didst shew thyself unto them in great power.

32And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in the which man might have a more excellent hope. Wherefore man must hope or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. 33And again I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again, to prepare a place for the children of men. 34And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity. Wherefore except men shall have charity, they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. 35Wherefore I know by this thing which thou hast said that if the Gentiles have not charity because of our weakness that thou wilt prove them and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them which shall have more abundantly.

36And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. 37And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity, it mattereth not unto thee. Thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father.

38And now I Moroni bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren, whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. 39And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus and that he hath talked with me face to face and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language concerning these things. 40And only a few have I written because of my weakness in writing. 41And now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father and also the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.