Ether stands as a significant figure in the chronicles of the Jaredite people, taking his place as the last prophet among them. He is the son of Coriantor and a direct descendant of Jared, who led a group from the Tower of Babel to the Promised Land. Ether’s life is characterized by his unwavering faith and dedication to his prophetic calling.
During the reign of Coriantumr, the final king before the Jaredite destruction, Ether exhibited such a powerful spiritual presence that he was described as unable to be restrained due to the Spirit of the Lord within him (Ether 12:2). His teachings were both a warning and a message of hope; tirelessly, he exhorted the people to repentance and faith, prophesying of their certain destruction should they continue in wickedness (Ether 12:3). Moreover, Ether taught of a future, better world, promised to those who believed in God—a world where the faithful could hope for a place at the right hand of God (Ether 12:4).
His prophecies encompassed both the history of humanity from its beginning and the eschatological vision of a restored Jerusalem, as well as the New Jerusalem in the Promised Land (Ether 13:3-12). Despite the grandeur and significance of his revelations, the Jaredite people largely dismissed Ether, driven by mortal concerns and consumed by internecine conflicts. As a result of this rejection and the accompanying danger to his life, Ether was compelled to dwell by day in the cavity of a rock, only emerging at night to observe and record the tragic self-destruction of his people (Ether 13:13-14).
Ether was fearless in delivering the divine mandate to Coriantumr, including the grave warning that if repentance was not embraced, the king would outlive his people to witness the arrival of a new people favored by the Lord (Ether 13:20-21). The refusal of Coriantumr and his subjects to heed this warning culminated in the utter demise of the Jaredite nation, save for Coriantumr himself (Ether 15:19).
Having chronicled the entire Jaredite saga, Ether concluded his record, conscientiously hiding it where it would eventually be discovered by the people of Limhi (Ether 15:33; Mosiah 8:9). His final written thoughts reflect a deep surrender to God’s will, valuing salvation in the kingdom of God over his own mortal destiny, whether by translation from this life or through experiencing death (Ether 15:34). The life and works of Ether are preserved as a testament to his faith and as a sobering witness of the consequences of a people’s failure to embrace prophetic warnings.