An Ether Allegory

As I read the Book of Ether a few years ago, I happened upon a few interesting parallels. As with any metaphor, if taken too far, this allegory is of no use.

In the second chapter of Ether, the brother of Jared ascends a mountain to speak with the Lord. He is commanded to cross the ocean, and is instructed to build barges in order to do so. The brother of Jared returns to the Lord after building the barges with two major problems: no air and no light. The Lord immediately solves the firs problem (air), then lets the brother of Jared think of his own solution for the second(light). The brother of Jared works out a solution, prepares stones, and brings them before the Lord. He believes that if the Lord touches the stones, they will give light.

The journey across the ocean can be compared to our journey through life to the Celestial Kingdom. We are faced in our mortal lives with two great problems, or two great deaths: physical death and spiritual death. If these problems are not solved, we will not reach our desired destination, however, we are powerless to solve either of the problems on our own. The problem of physical death is similar to the Jaredites' lack of air. The Lord solves this problem for all of us through His resurrection; it is a free gift to all, and we need not do anything to receive it. Spiritual death is similar to the Jaredites' lack of light, as is its solution. We do not have to invent a solution, but we do have to seek it out. None of us is born knowing the way to Salvation, We must find it on our own. And when we've found the solution, we have to work at it, as the brother of Jared had to work and prepare the stones that would give the light. But, even after all the work we have done in finding and preparing, the problem of spiritual death is no more solved than it was before we started; we need the Lord's touch. Through His power, our work is sanctified -- we are sanctified and can reach our desired destination. Without His touch, our work gives no more light than sixteen ordinary stones.