“Ether 13–15: Overcoming Anger,” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)
“Ether 13–15,” Book of Mormon Student Manual
Ether 13–15
Overcoming Anger
In His great love, Heavenly Father allows us to experience a wide range of emotions in mortality, such as love, peace, sadness, and frustration. Experiencing these emotions allows us to learn. As the Jaredites continued to rebel against the Lord, they allowed their emotions to lead to decisions that caused the destruction of their civilization. This lesson can help you overcome the temptation to act in anger throughout your life.
The results of anger
Read or watch the following account, shared by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018), of two brothers who lived together throughout their lives.
Many years ago I read the following Associated Press dispatch which appeared in the newspaper: An elderly man disclosed at the funeral of his brother, with whom he had shared, from early manhood, a small, one-room cabin near Canisteo, New York, that following a quarrel, they had divided the room in half with a chalk line, and neither had crossed the line or spoken a word to the other since that day—62 years before. Just think of the consequence of that anger. (Thomas S. Monson, “School Thy Feelings, O My Brother,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 68–69)
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What do you learn from President Monson’s story of the two brothers? Why do you think this message is important in the world today?
Think about your own feelings and how often you get angry. Consider under which circumstances you might be angry and how that anger can influence your thinking, actions, and relationships.
A fragile circumstance destroyed by anger
In the prophet Ether’s time, the people were very wicked. Ether had to live in a cave to hide from those who sought to kill him. Rival armies were continuously at war. One army was led by a king named Coriantumr, and another was led at different times by various dissenters, including a man named Shared. Ether warned Coriantumr to repent or the people would be destroyed.
Read Ether 13:22–31, looking for how anger influenced people’s actions.
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What did you find?
The Jaredites’ destruction illustrates the dangers of holding on to anger. Coriantumr and his armies eventually succeeded in defeating Shared. But others arose to lead the dissenters, including Shiz. After millions of his people had already been killed, Coriantumr tried to stop the bloodshed by writing multiple letters to Shiz seeking peace.
Read Ether 15:5–6, 15–30, looking for the impact the Jaredites’ anger had on individuals and groups of people.
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In what ways did anger impact individuals such as Coriantumr, Shiz, and others? How did their anger impact people around them?
One truth that this account teaches is anger can lead us to make choices that hurt ourselves and others.
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How have you seen anger affect relationships between friends, teammates, ward members, or family members?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained why we should seek to overcome feelings of anger and contention:
Jesus has asked that we “live together in love” [Doctrine and Covenants 42:45] with “no disputations among you” [3 Nephi 11:22]. “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me,” He warned the Nephites [3 Nephi 11:29]. Indeed, to a great degree, our relationship to Christ will be determined—or at least affected—by our relationship to each other. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Reconciliation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 78)
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Answer the following questions:
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Why do you think our relationship with others affects our relationship with Jesus Christ?
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What makes it hard to avoid acting in anger?
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How can Jesus Christ help us overcome anger?
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Complete at least one of the following options.
Option A. The Savior’s example of kindness
Study at least one example in the Savior’s life when He could have reacted in anger but chose to respond with love and kindness. You could study His Crucifixion (see Luke 23:33–43) or when a woman who committed adultery was brought to Him (see John 8:1–11).
Write a summary of the situation the Savior faced and how He responded. Then record how you could follow His example when you are faced with a difficult situation in the future.
Option B. Following the Savior’s example of kindness
Create a fictitious but realistic scenario where someone is angry with another person. Add some details, including names and a reason for the anger.
After creating a scenario, record how each person in the scenario could respond with kindness. It may be helpful to think of how the Savior might respond if He were present. Also record how the scenario could play out if people responded in anger.
Invitation to avoid anger
President Russell M. Nelson has said: “None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves” (“The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 97).
Make a plan for what you can do to control yourself and overcome anger. Your plan may be related to the way you treat or react to specific people. It could include ways you can follow the Savior’s example. Be sure to include ways you can reach out to Heavenly Father for divine help before or during difficult situations.