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KnoWhy #240 - Where did the Brother of Jared Get the Idea of Shining Stones? (Ether 6:3)

TitleKnoWhy #240 - Where did the Brother of Jared Get the Idea of Shining Stones? (Ether 6:3)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2016
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
Keywords16 Small Stones; Ancient Near East; Brother of Jared; Endowment; Jaredite; Noah (Prophet); Noah's Ark; Prophet; Revelation; Shining Stones; Temple; Urim and Thummim
Abstract

In order to provide light for their seafaring barges, the brother of Jared prepared sixteen small stones and asked the Lord to touch them with His finger so that they would “shine forth in darkness.” While stones that emit light may seem like an absurdity to some modern readers, legends of their existence and importance were widely spread throughout the ancient world. Of particular relevance are ancient sources which claimed that Noah used shining stones in his ark. If these sources are correct, then the brother of Jared’s solution for providing light may result from him likening the story of Noah’s salvation to his own people.

URLhttps://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/where-did-the-brother-of-jared-get-the-idea-of-shining-stones
Citation Key2614

Scripture Reference

Ether 6:3