Ether 7

(Below is a list of questions that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

One of the reasons Heavenly Father wants us to keep the commandments is because breaking them usually causes bad things for others as well as ourselves. Rejecting the words of prophets leads to captivity. As we repent of our iniquities, we begin to prosper.

1-2. Was the brother of Jared's warning to the people in regards to having a King fulfilled in the days of Orihah?

3. Was the brother of Jared's warning to the people in regards to having a king fulfilled in the days of Kib?

4-5. How did Corihor become king? Was the brother of Jared's warning fulfilled in the days of Corihor?

6-7. How did Corihor's unrighteous choices affect his family, friends and neighbors? What are some examples of actions that modern prophets warn us against? How could those actions lead to physical and spiritual captivity? What would you say to people today who disobey the counsel of the prophets but don't feel like they are in spiritual captivity?

"Another mistake we make is that we foolishly think we are free to choose, without wanting the consequences of those choices! Bainville, The French philosopher, said, 'One must want the consequences of what one wants.'" – Neal A Maxwell, Ensign, July 2002

8-9. How was the kingship restored to Kib?

10. Who reigned after King Kib?

11. Was Shule a righteous King?

13. What happened to Corihor during this time?

14-18. Who did Noah rebel against? Who did he draw away with him? Why do the wicked choices of one person cause so much pain and suffering within his or her family? Satan would have us believe that our choices only affect ourselves. How does this chapter prove this statement to be false?

15. Why is it that when one person gives into pride or temptation they seek to draw others away with them? How does such collusion cause rifts to be greater then they would have been otherwise? Is collusion more likely to be based on knowledge or belief?

19. Do you think that by this time the people in Shule's kingdom were beginning to see the wisdom in the council given by the brother of Jared before he died? What indications support your answer?

20. How had wickedness caused division in the land? How does wickedness cause division in our own personal lives? Who are we divided from? In what ways have you experienced or I'll deserve spiritual captivity that resulted because of disobedience to the commandments or counsel of the prophets?

21. What kind of King was Cohor? How did he lose his kingdom?

22. What kind of King was Nimrod? What freedoms was he granted? How are we granted greater freedom when we choose to follow The Lord and seek after righteousness?

23. What is the role of a prophet? Of what things did they prophesy?

24. How did the people receive the Prophets? How did King Shule react?

25-26. How did Shule's protection of the Prophets bless his people?

26. What happened when the people obeyed the words of the prophets? How have you been blessed for heeding the words of the prophets? What is one thing you can do better to heed the words of the prophets and qualify for the Lords blessings?

"The truly righteous are prosperous, in the sense that they have confidence, which triggers faith into activity and creates beneficial circumstances from less favorable ones. They do not wait for the Lord to give or withhold rewards, but instead call on him for guidance about what will be most beneficial for them, both temporally and spiritually. Such guidance may lead to changing occupations, moving to another district, acquiring training or new skills, or accepting things as they are but working within one's own limitations and following the spirits direction in other ways." – Alan Webster, Ensign, April 1990

27. How does remembering the blessings we have received from the Lord help us gain wisdom and act in righteousness? How grateful is a person who remembers? Why is gratitude such an important character trait to develop?