1 AND now I, Moroni, proceed to finish my record concerning the destruction of the people [ The Jaradites. ] of whom I have been writing.

2 For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether; for he [ Ether. ] truly told them [ The Jaradites. ] of all things, from the beginning of man; [ The creation, Adam and Eve. ] and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, [ "choice land" is only mentioned by that specific name in the Book Of Ether.(Ether 2:12; Ether 13:2) From the creation of man (the beginning) not the flood, this land (the land that he was on at the time - America. ) was created in the beginning, during the creation as a great land. The reference here to the receding of the waters is in association with the creation. After all Eden was on this land as well. ] a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof; [ So there are deed restrictions put upon this land called America. That is that who shall live here must serve him because this land has a purpose in the Lord - ie. next verse it is to be the site of the New Jerusalem. ]

3 And that it [ America. ] was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, [ Return of the city of Enoch? Lost Ten Tribes? Where does it say that it is coming from? Down out if heaven(Rev 21:2), pretty plain. Mic drop. John saw the New Jerusalem adorned as a bride ascending out of heaven as well. Isaiah said that these of the Ten Tribes would lay the foundation for the New Jerusalem. (Isaiah 51:16; 2 Ne. 8:16. ) ] and the holy sanctuary of the Lord. [ His temples. Will also descend from Heaven. ]

4 Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, [ So here it is. Ether saw our day and the second coming. Now Moroni is reading Ether's account and what is it that Moroni see's in Ether's account that he wants to make sure that we know? We need to remember that Moroni had already seen our day, so he knows what needs to be written down for us here. ] and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. [ American, specifically Jackson county which we are told is the site of the New Jerusalem. "This land" - or the land upon which the speaker is speaking, because it answers the question of which land is he referring to. ]

5 And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it [ The old Jerusalem, the Holy Land the place from which Lehi left. ] could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, [ Restoration of Old Jerusalem. ] and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel. [ For an inheritance property in the Holy Land was provided for the sons of Israel, namely: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, Naphtali, and Benjamin. ]

6 And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, [ This land - or the land that is under their feet at the time of this statement. America, this land, the land where the New Jerusalem will be built, the land that was promised to Lehi. The Lord further discusses this in 3 Ne. 21:23. ] unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, [ Signifying both Ephraim and Menessah. ] for which things there has been a type. [ So what is the type mentioned here? Alma 46:24–26 ]

7 For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, [ Young Joseph had established himself in Egypt, such that he could invite his family down and there they could survive. ] even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, [ "a" specific group or only a sub-group of the seed of Joseph. ] that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not.

8 Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; [ "the remnant" Or both Ephraim and Menessah. Again we find "this land" when Moroni is translating the record of the Jaradites. Remember that for an inheritance property in the Holy Land was provided for the sons of Israel, namely: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, Naphtali, and Benjamin. Here we are taught that Joseph's inheritance is this land, the American hemisphere which is identified as being choice above all other lands (see Ether 1:42, 10:28, 13:2; D&C 38:20). It was choice, but not necessarily from the standpoint of scenery or wealth. It was choice because it was chosen. America was to serve as the repository of sacred records written on metallic plates. It one day was to become the location for the restoration of the gospel. It was to host headquarters of the Lord’s restored church. (Thanks for the Covenant RUSSELL M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles November 22, 1988 BYU Devotional ). ] and it [ This land - America. ] shall be a land of their inheritance; [ The remnant of the house of Joseph (that was sold into Egypt) and his posterity; both Ephraim and Menessah. The Land Of Joseph "It was not by chance that the Puritans left their native land and sailed away to the shores of New England, and that others followed later. They were the advance guard of the army of the Lord, predestined to establish the God-given system of government under which we live, and to make of America, which is the land of Joseph, the gathering place of Ephraim, an asylum for the oppressed of all nations, and prepare the way for the restoration of the Gospel of Christ and the reestablishment of his Church upon earth." (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1930, 7). ] and they [ The remnant of the house of Joseph. ] shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they [ The remnant of the house of Joseph. ] shall no more be confounded, [ They(the Remnant of Jacob) will be in charge of the New Jerusalem and anyone that comes can help them but either way the city center is coming down from heaven and will be built up from there. Mixed or blended in disorder; perplexed; dismayed; put to shame and silence; astonished. ] until the end come when the earth shall pass away.

9 And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; [ There is a new heaven and a new earth because the New Jerusalem descends from heaven. What is it that will make the earth new? Well it nothing more than the return of the Ten Tribes with their population, and most likely there land mass as well. Why will there be a new heaven? See Moses 7:62 It the city of Enoch and the New Jerusalem are coming down from the heavens then they too will have changed. ] and they shall be like unto the old [ Or the time before the City of Enoch was taken up and the Lost Ten Tribes where also taken to the north countries. ] save the old have passed away, and all things have become new.

10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; [ So he is saying that the New Jerusalem comes after there is a new heaven and a new earth - vs 9. Where does it come from? See vs 3. ] and blessed are they who dwell therein, [ How are they blessed? They are lead under the direction of Jesus Christ, they dwell in peace, where there is only righteousness. ] for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; [ How are our garments made white? When we have become sanctified. ] and they are they who are numbered [ Whether literal seed or adopted it does not matter, as they are numbered and therefore are entitled to all of the blessings of Joseph and the House of Israel. This new city called Zion, will provide sanctuary for all and be held up by the power of the priesthood, which includes the fulness of the gospel. A place created for the "pure in heart" where they will receive the higher principles and truths of the full gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 97:21;100:16;101:18). Both where and how they live will come about under divine influence. It will provide a standard which to live where there are no creeds and political wranglings, by uniting the republics, states, provinces, territories, nations, tribes, kindred, tongues, people and sects of North and south America in one great and common bond of brotherhood. Truth and knowledge shall make them free, and love cement their union. The Lord also shall be their king and their lawgiver; while wars shall cease and peace prevail for a thousand years. ] among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.

11 And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; [ The previous fulfillment of promised blessing were prescribed to those of Joseph who are in the America's. Now this set of blessings apply's to those who are the inhabitants of the old world. ] and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, [ These just as those in New Jerusalem are lead under the direction of Christ. ] for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; [ They are those who have applied the atonement in their lives such that they have become sanctified. ] and they are they who were scattered [ So is this suggesting that they are those who were scattered as opposed to those who were lead away into the north countries? They were scattered so that they could be gathered as part of the first group, the ones who would prepare all things, and then do the work of the gathering. They would build up the restored church, build temples, do missionary work, and have things ready to bless all of Israel as they return. This is what the tribes of Joseph has as their responsibilities. (D&C 124:58; 133:32; 90:9; 2 Ne. 3:2-5 ) The Lord scattered some of them so they could complete their mission. First they were scattered because they would not follow what the Lord had asked them to do. They had to be scattered to teach them humility. ] and gathered in [ Then they are gathered, so that they might know that God does love them, that he has not forgotten them. ] from the four quarters of the earth, [ These would be a part of the gathering of Israel. ] and from the north countries, [ This would be the restoration of the Ten Tribes who were lead away by the hand of the Lord. Journal of Discourses, Orson Pratt Pratt 18:4 How long will they who come from the north countries tarry in the heights of Zion? some time. They have got to raise wheat, cultivate the grape, wine and oil, raise flocks and herds, and their souls will have to become as a watered garden. They will dwell in Zion a good while, and during that time, there will be twelve thousand chosen out of each of these ten tribes, besides twelve thousand that will be chosen from Judah, Joseph, and the remaining tribes, one hundred and forty-four thousand in all. Chosen for what? To be sealed in their foreheads. For what purpose? So that the power of death and pestilence and plague that will go forth in those days sweeping over the nations of the earth will have no power over them. These parties who are sealed in their foreheads will go forth among all people, nations and tongues, and gather up and hunt out the house of Israel, wherever they are scattered, and bring as many as they possibly can into the Church of the firstborn, preparatory to the great day of the coming of the Lord. One hundred and forty-four thousand missionaries! Quite a host. All this has got to take place. There are persons in this congregation who will be in the midst of Zion, when the ten tribes come to Zion from the north countries, and will assist in bestowing the blessings promised by the Almighty upon the heads of the tribes of Israel. There are servants of God in the midst of this congregation who will lay their hands upon many of each of these twelve thousand, chosen out of the ten tribes, and set them apart as missionaries to visit the nations of the earth and hunt up the remnants of the seed of Jacob. ] and are partakers [ One who has or takes a part, share or portion in common with others; a sharer; a participator in. ] of the fulfilling [ Accomplishing; performing; completing. In essence the culmination of the covenants made a long time ago. Think on that! ] of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham. [ What was the covenant that they Lord made with Abraham? The covenant that Nephi was not allowed to talk about more. A covenant between the Lord and Abraham which included 1) promise of land 2) promise of prosperity 3) promise of priesthood blessings 4) promise of gospel blessings for all families. ]

12 And when these things come, [ The fulfilling of the covenant that God made with their Father's. ] bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, there are they who were first, [ The lost ten tribes were the first to be lead away. ] who shall be last; [ The ten tribes shall be the last ones to be restored in the last days. ] and there are they who were last, [ Those who were scattered. ] who shall be first. [ The Lord provides us with the reasoning of the order of things in (D&C 90:9; 133:32; ]

13 And I was about to write more, [ So he knows more, he has seen more, specifically as to what is to happen on this land (America). Christ has shown him the same things that John saw, but as we know they were given to John to write. He closes his vision of these things just like Nephi does. So he is forbidden to write all that he knows, just as Nephi was, just as Moroni was. ] but I am forbidden; [ Just like his Father Mormon before him, Moroni was told not to write these things. There was more here that he knew, but was not allowed to write. Why? We find the answer that was told to his father Mormon. Mormon was told by God to stop as well and only put certain things in to test my people. Because if they will receive this they will receive the rest through the power of the holy ghost. So there is more here that Moroni wanted to talk about but God left it to others like John to declare, because the Lord intends this to be a test. Just like the coming of Jesus Christ was to the Jews. We today skip over the critical message of the Book Of Mormon as a result we have been warned that we are under condemnation as a church. Sure we learn the stories but if you go to 3 Nephi remember that the message that Jesus shares with the people is the message that he was commanded by the father to share. See 3 Ne: ] but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people.

14 And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock he made the remainder of this record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people, by night.

15 And it came to pass that in that same year in which he was cast out from among the people there began to be a great war among the people, for there were many who rose up, who were mighty men, and sought to destroy Coriantumr by their secret plans of wickedness, of which hath been spoken.

16 And now Coriantumr, having studied, himself, in all the arts of war and all the cunning of the world, wherefore he gave battle unto them who sought to destroy him.

17 But he repented not, neither his fair sons nor daughters; neither the fair sons and daughters of Cohor; neither the fair sons and daughters of Corihor; and in fine, there were none of the fair sons and daughters upon the face of the whole earth who repented of their sins.

18 Wherefore, it came to pass that in the first year that Ether dwelt in the cavity of a rock, there were many people who were slain by the sword of those secret combinations, fighting against Coriantumr that they might obtain the kingdom.

19 And it came to pass that the sons of Coriantumr fought much and bled much.

20 And in the second year the word of the Lord came to Ether, that he should go and prophesy unto Coriantumr that, if he would repent, and all his household, the Lord would give unto him his kingdom and spare the people—

21 Otherwise they should be destroyed, and all his household save it were himself. And he should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance; and Coriantumr should receive a burial by them; and every soul should be destroyed save it were Coriantumr.

22 And it came to pass that Coriantumr repented not, neither his household, neither the people; and the wars ceased not; and they sought to kill Ether, but he fled from before them and hid again in the cavity of the rock.

23 And it came to pass that there arose up Shared, and he also gave battle unto Coriantumr; and he did beat him, insomuch that in the third year he did bring him into captivity.

24 And the sons of Coriantumr, in the fourth year, did beat Shared, and did obtain the kingdom again unto their father.

25 Now there began to be a war upon all the face of the land, every man with his band fighting for that which he desired.

26 And there were robbers, and in fine, all manner of wickedness upon all the face of the land.

27 And it came to pass that Coriantumr was exceedingly angry with Shared, and he went against him with his armies to battle; and they did meet in great anger, and they did meet in the valley of Gilgal; and the battle became exceedingly sore.

28 And it came to pass that Shared fought against him for the space of three days. And it came to pass that Coriantumr beat him, and did pursue him until he came to the plains of Heshlon. [ The name Heshlon appears to be a Hebraic toponym that was likely applied by King Mosiah or Moroni as they translated and abridged the Jaredite record. The name corresponds with the Hebrew root ḥāšal, which means to “make weak, prostrate, weary, thin, crush.”(Stephen D. Ricks, Paul Y. Hoskisson, Robert F. Smith, and John Gee, Dictionary of Proper Names and Foreign Words in the Book of Mormon (Interpreter Foundation; Eborn Books, 2022), s.v. “Heshlon.” For a full discussion on this etymology, see Bowen and Olavarria, “Place of Crushing,” 230–233) Furthermore, the suffix -ôn as used in place names throughout the Bible and Book of Mormon could mean “place of,” thereby making Heshlon “the place of crushing.”(See Bowen and Olavarria, “Place of Crushing,” 231. Another prominent place name that uses this ending in a wordplay is Jershon, or the “place of inheritance.” See Scripture Central, “Why Was Jershon Called a Land of Inheritance? (Alma 27:22),” KnoWhy 134 (July 1, 2016)) “the battle on the plains of Heshlon marks a dramatic reversal of Coriantumr’s expectations and fortunes. What Coriantumr had hoped would be a final victory over Shared, his archenemy, instead turned into the crushing or breaking of the strength of his own forces on the plains of Heshlon.” ]

29 And it came to pass that Shared gave him battle again upon the plains; and behold, he did beat Coriantumr, [ While Coriantumr experienced initial victories, the battle at Heshlon marked the beginning of his defeat. Even though Coriantumr eventually killed Shared and was therefore victorious, it is a victory that came at great costs, almost including the cost of Coriantumr’s own life. ] and drove him back again to the valley of Gilgal.

30 And Coriantumr gave Shared battle again in the valley of Gilgal, in which he beat Shared and slew him.

31 And Shared wounded Coriantumr in his thigh, that he did not go to battle again for the space of two years, in which time all the people upon the face of the land were shedding blood, [ Suggesting that what happened at Heshlon was symbolic of the crushing of the entire people. In this way, Heshlon also serves as “a didactic inference that the judgments of God as pronounced by a prophet are inescapable. From this point forward, the narrative drives inexorably toward the final Jaredite destruction,” just as Ether had prophesied. (see Ether 12:3; 13:21.) ] and there was none to restrain them.