Ether 6-11

• Response:
  The presence of horses in the Book of Mormon has been a point of contention, but several explanations and evidences provide a nuanced perspective. While mainstream archaeological consensus holds that horses were absent in the Americas between the end of the Pleistocene (roughly 10,000 years ago) and their reintroduction by the Spaniards in the 16th century, emerging evidence and interpretive frameworks offer plausible answers to this challenge.

  1. Survival of Post-Pleistocene Horses:
     Recent findings suggest that small populations of horses may have survived the Pleistocene extinction in localized areas. Research by Wade Miller and others has identified horse remains in post-Pleistocene strata in Mexico, indicating that some equids may have persisted longer than traditionally thought (Wade Miller and Matthew Roper, 2017). While these populations would have been small and localized, their existence aligns with the possibility that they could have been known to Jaredite or Nephite cultures.
  2. Loanshifting and Linguistic Flexibility:
     The term “horse” in the Book of Mormon may represent linguistic loanshifting, where a familiar name is applied to an unfamiliar animal. Indigenous peoples could have used “horse” to describe animals with similar functions or appearances, such as deer or tapirs. This is consistent with examples of loanshifting in other cultures (FAIR Latter-day Saints, Loanshifting).
  3. Cultural and Artistic Evidence:
     Non-Mormon scholars have noted potential pre-Columbian evidence for horses, including traditions, petroglyphs, and archaeological findings. British anthropologist M.F. Ashley Montague suggested that the genetic traits of smaller horses introduced by Spaniards could indicate hybridization with earlier, smaller populations of American horses. Additionally, Yuri Kuchinsky pointed to oral traditions and art among Native Americans that may predate European contact. While not definitive, these accounts suggest the possibility of pre-Columbian horse survival or cultural memory of horses.
  4. Preservation and Detection Challenges:
     Archaeological evidence is inherently incomplete, especially for species with small populations or those existing in remote areas. Tropical and subtropical climates, common in Book of Mormon lands, significantly degrade organic materials, making the discovery of ancient horse remains less likely. Similar issues exist with other species mentioned in ancient texts that lack direct archaeological corroboration.

  Conclusion:
  While direct archaeological evidence for horses in Book of Mormon times remains limited, the combination of scientific findings, interpretive possibilities like loanshifting, and cultural accounts provides a reasonable framework for understanding their mention. These factors align with the broader principle that lack of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence.

  Resources:

  • – Daniel Johnson, “‘Hard’ Evidence of Ancient American Horses,” BYU Studies Quarterly 54 (2015): 
  • – FAIR Latter-day Saints, “Loanshifting: Deer and Tapirs“
  • – Wade Miller, “The Presence of Pre-Columbian Horses in America,” 2018 FAIR Conference
     

Response:
The daughter of Jared’s reference to a “record” in Ether 8:9 raises intriguing questions about the origins and transmission of knowledge regarding secret combinations. While the Book of Mormon does not explicitly identify this record, contextual clues suggest it could relate to a broader tradition of ancient records, including those brought from the Tower of Babel by the Jaredites or even records from the antediluvian world (before Noah’s flood).

1. The Jaredite Record and Babel Traditions
   The Jaredites originated at the time of the Tower of Babel, a place associated with corruption, secret plans, and power struggles (Genesis 11:1-9). The Jaredite record may have preserved traditions or writings detailing the use of secret combinations for political gain, passed down through oral or written traditions. This aligns with the Book of Mormon’s consistent warnings about secret combinations as a recurring tool of societal destruction.
2. Apocryphal Accounts and Ancient Traditions
   Several apocryphal and extra-biblical sources describe secret combinations or oaths as tools for acquiring power:

• Book of Enoch: This ancient text (not part of the biblical canon but referenced in Jude 1:14-15) describes the rise of secret, sinful practices taught by fallen angels to humans. The “Watchers” introduced forbidden knowledge, including secret oaths and combinations that corrupted early societies.
  • Reference: The Book of Enoch (Chapter 8).
• Jasher (Referenced in Joshua 10:13): The Book of Jasher, an extra-biblical source, mentions human schemes and conspiracies to consolidate power and control, echoing themes found in Ether 8. While not directly referencing “secret combinations,” it highlights early examples of human ambition leading to societal corruption.
  • Reference: The Book of Jasher (Chapter 9).
• Apocryphal Writings on Cain and Lamech: The lineage of Cain is often associated with secret works of darkness. Lamech, a descendant of Cain, is described as forming a secret covenant in which murder was used to gain power and protect conspirators. This aligns with the description of secret combinations in Ether 8.
  • Reference: Moses 5:29-31, Pearl of Great Price.

3. Symbolic Connection to Biblical Patterns
   The Jaredite account parallels other scriptural warnings about pride, oaths, and secret combinations. For example:

• Cain’s pact with Satan in Moses 5:29-31 introduces the concept of secret works as a means of gaining dominion.
• Nimrod, associated with Babel, is described in some Jewish traditions as a hunter of men and a leader of conspiracies to consolidate power (Jasher 7:47).

4. Broader Implications
   The reference by the daughter of Jared serves as a cautionary tale, warning that such knowledge—regardless of its origin—brings destruction. It highlights the enduring nature of these practices across civilizations and the importance of rejecting them to preserve freedom and righteousness.

Resources:

• The Book of Enoch
• The Book of Jasher
• FAIR Latter-day Saints, “Secret Combinations”
• Why Are Secret Combinations Associated with Cain and Getting Gain?

Response:
The brother of Jared’s opposition to kingship and King Mosiah’s subsequent rejection of monarchy in favor of judges are profound examples of the Book of Mormon’s internal consistency and its message about governance. These accounts also provide a compelling response to the criticism that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon, as they reveal complex narrative and doctrinal connections across centuries and different authors.

1. The Brother of Jared’s Warning about Kingship
   In Ether 6:23, the brother of Jared expresses grave concern about establishing a monarchy, stating, “Surely this thing leadeth into captivity.” His opposition reflects a divine perspective: while kings can rule righteously, human history shows that absolute power often leads to tyranny and corruption. This concern proved prophetic as the Jaredite record repeatedly highlights the destructive cycles of wicked kings, rebellion, and captivity.
2. King Mosiah and the Plates of Ether
   In Mosiah 28:11-19, King Mosiah translates the Jaredite record, including the brother of Jared’s warning about kings. Shortly afterward, in Mosiah 29, Mosiah abolishes the Nephite monarchy and establishes a system of judges, declaring, “Because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you” (Mosiah 29:16).

Mosiah’s decision directly reflects the lessons learned from the Jaredite record. The parallels between the Jaredites’ downfall under kings and the Nephites’ own vulnerabilities provide a clear justification for Mosiah’s reforms. This demonstrates a deep, internal logic in the Book of Mormon: Mosiah’s actions are informed by earlier records, reinforcing the book’s overarching themes of accountability and governance.

3. Implications for Authorship
   Critics often claim that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon, but the connections between Ether and Mosiah challenge this view:

• Complex Narrative Structure: The Book of Mormon features multiple records with different authors, each contributing distinct historical and doctrinal insights. The connection between Ether and Mosiah requires a level of planning and coherence far beyond what would be expected from an uneducated 19th-century farm boy.
• Theological and Political Depth: The Book of Mormon presents nuanced perspectives on governance, including principles like separation of powers, checks on authority, and the dangers of centralized power. These ideas align with ancient political thought and stand apart from 19th-century frontier American ideals.
• A Unique Critique of Kingship: The Book of Mormon’s warnings against monarchy are distinct from 19th-century American attitudes. While Joseph Smith’s contemporaries were critical of monarchy, their objections were often rooted in Enlightenment ideals about liberty and democracy. In contrast, the Book of Mormon’s critique focuses on spiritual consequences, human fallibility, and the moral dangers of unchecked power. This aligns more closely with ancient views on governance, where kingship was accepted but recognized as vulnerable to corruption if leaders failed to adhere to divine law. The depth and theological basis of this critique suggest a worldview that is remarkably consistent with the text’s purported ancient origins.

4. Eternal Lessons about Governance
   The Book of Mormon’s warnings about kingship highlight timeless principles: power can corrupt, and shared governance fosters accountability. The brother of Jared’s foresight and King Mosiah’s reforms emphasize the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating mistakes.

Resources:

• Government and Legal History in the Book of Mormon
• Government By the Voice of the People
• How Did King Benjamin’s Speech Lead to Nephite Democracy?

This connection between Ether and Mosiah underscores the richness and authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Its interwoven narrative reflects divine inspiration and provides valuable lessons for individuals and societies alike.