While serving as a senior missionary in San Francisco twenty years ago, I met missionaries from the Pacific Islands cultures whose names also are descriptive. I am certain there are many more interesting things to be learned on this subject. Great article.
HelenCNovember 13, 2024
Thank you for this clarifying explanation.
John A WarnickNovember 13, 2024
TY. Excellent article. I listened to a podcast recently which suggested, if I captured it correctly, that the Egyptian symbols for the actual name of the Brother of Jared would require something like 11 symbols and the Brother of Jared only a few symbols. Hence, they suggested that it was a practical consideration for Moroni, who faced the twin difficulties of using the Egyptian language and symbols in his writing on the plates and the need to use the space on the plates conservatively. Thank you for a fuller understanding of what Moroni and Ether were upagainst as they preserved the story of the Brother of Jared, Jared, and their people
Lisa CroftNovember 13, 2024
I think there is one more possibility. The BofM is a story. It is a literary masterpiece created by Mormon and his son Moroni and tells of a family wandering earthly paths, Ether is taken out of chronological order and iplaced as the opposite book end from Lehi’s story. The two stories parallel each other and tell the story of a covenant people. Jared’s brother is a type of Christ who is the Mediator & Advocate w/God along our covenant path. By leaving his name unknown, it prompts us to ask, who is he really? All things in scripture lead us to Jesus Christ.
CindyNovember 13, 2024
I love how you explained the reasoning as to why the Book of Mormon doesn't give the name of Jared's brother. I was in an Institute class when this was revealed to us:
Ether 1:34–35. What is the name of the brother of Jared?
Elder George Reynolds of the Seventy related the following account, which shows that the name of the brother of Jared was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown it to me. Elder William F. Cahoon, who was standing near heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (“The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, May 1, 1892, 282).
Patrick R. Elliott, Sr.November 13, 2024
Mahonri Moriancumer is the name of the brother of Jared.
Barry HNovember 13, 2024
Very interesting and certainly makes sense. Thanks for sharing your research and insights. Now we know you can write far more than interesting and humorous life stories (which I always enjoy).
Barbara KNovember 13, 2024
I like the idea I heard that Mahonri Moriancomer needed many more symbols to write than Jared's brother did. It was a matter of saving space as the name appears often in the account.
Comments | Return to Story
Gerry H.November 13, 2024
While serving as a senior missionary in San Francisco twenty years ago, I met missionaries from the Pacific Islands cultures whose names also are descriptive. I am certain there are many more interesting things to be learned on this subject. Great article.
HelenCNovember 13, 2024
Thank you for this clarifying explanation.
John A WarnickNovember 13, 2024
TY. Excellent article. I listened to a podcast recently which suggested, if I captured it correctly, that the Egyptian symbols for the actual name of the Brother of Jared would require something like 11 symbols and the Brother of Jared only a few symbols. Hence, they suggested that it was a practical consideration for Moroni, who faced the twin difficulties of using the Egyptian language and symbols in his writing on the plates and the need to use the space on the plates conservatively. Thank you for a fuller understanding of what Moroni and Ether were upagainst as they preserved the story of the Brother of Jared, Jared, and their people
Lisa CroftNovember 13, 2024
I think there is one more possibility. The BofM is a story. It is a literary masterpiece created by Mormon and his son Moroni and tells of a family wandering earthly paths, Ether is taken out of chronological order and iplaced as the opposite book end from Lehi’s story. The two stories parallel each other and tell the story of a covenant people. Jared’s brother is a type of Christ who is the Mediator & Advocate w/God along our covenant path. By leaving his name unknown, it prompts us to ask, who is he really? All things in scripture lead us to Jesus Christ.
CindyNovember 13, 2024
I love how you explained the reasoning as to why the Book of Mormon doesn't give the name of Jared's brother. I was in an Institute class when this was revealed to us: Ether 1:34–35. What is the name of the brother of Jared? Elder George Reynolds of the Seventy related the following account, which shows that the name of the brother of Jared was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith: “While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown it to me. Elder William F. Cahoon, who was standing near heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (“The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, May 1, 1892, 282).
Patrick R. Elliott, Sr.November 13, 2024
Mahonri Moriancumer is the name of the brother of Jared.
Barry HNovember 13, 2024
Very interesting and certainly makes sense. Thanks for sharing your research and insights. Now we know you can write far more than interesting and humorous life stories (which I always enjoy).
Barbara KNovember 13, 2024
I like the idea I heard that Mahonri Moriancomer needed many more symbols to write than Jared's brother did. It was a matter of saving space as the name appears often in the account.
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