Why Is the Book of Ether Included Here?

Many readers of the Book of Mormon have asked - for what purpose did Mormon include the Book of Ether and why did he include it after the Nephite nation had been destroyed (Mormon Chapter 6)?

Basically, the Book of Ether is included as a second witness that nations rise and fall by the same spiritual laws — and as a warning to the last‑days Gentiles who will read the Book of Mormon.

The The Book of Ether is included to show that the destruction of the Nephites was not unique. God has judged nations before, and He will judge nations again. Ether is a second witness of the same pattern — placed after the Nephite destruction so modern readers cannot miss the message. More specifically:

  1. Ether is a Mirror image of the Nephit destruction. After reading the Book of either you will see that: a)The Jaredites rose in power; b)Became wicked; c) Fell into secret combinations; d)Rejected prophets; and e)Destroyed themselves. This is exactly what happened to the Nephites. Mormon's message -- you just watched one civilization fall. Now let me show you another one that fell the same way.

  2. Ether shows that God's dealing with nations is consistent: a)God blesses nations that follow Him; b)God warns nations through prophets; c)God withdraws protections when wickedness becomes widespread; d)Pride almost always precedes one's collapse.

  3. Ether is written as a warning for latter-day people (us). By the time Mormon inserts the Book of Ether, the Nephite nation has basically been destroyed.

  4. Ether testified that Christ was/is known to all nations. You will see that the Jaradites knew Christ, they were taught by Christ, the Brother of Jared saw Christ, and their civilization was guided by Christ. In other words, Christ is the God of all nations, not just Israel.

  5. Ether completes Mormon's editorial design. Mormon's insertion at this point is deliberate. Christ comes (3 Nephi), the Nephites fall (Mormon 6), the book of Ethers shows another fallen nation (the Jaredites), and then Moroni warns of this in the last days.

The book of Ether becomes the bridge between the Nephite destrustion and Moroni's final testimony and basically says, this has happend before, it has happened again, and it can happen in our day as well.