Lifespan

Approximately 2200 B.C. (the time of the Tower of Babel).

Ministry

The brother of Jared was the first prophet of the Jaredites. His name is not given in the Book of Mormon, although its translator, Joseph Smith, declared his name to be Mahonri Moriancumer.

Preparation and Calling

We do not know how the brother of Jared is prepared or called to the position of prophet among his people.

Interaction with God

More than anything else, the brother of Jared is known for his interaction with God. The Lord appeared to him in a cloud following their departure from the great tower and gave him traveling instructions. Four years later, the Lord again appeared in a cloud, but this time His instructions, which lasted three hours, also included chastening for having not prayed as he ought to have done. Not long thereafter, the brother of Jared prepared eight barges for ocean travel and asked the Lord to touch sixteen stones to make them shone for lights for those barges. When the Lord touched the stones, the brother of Jared saw His finger, which astounded him. He then was given permission to see the Lord in full, along with a vision of the world essentially from its beginning to the end. The brother of Jared is often, therefore, credited as being one of the most faith-filled prophets to ever live.

Social Situation

Jared and his extended family were instructed to leave the Mesopotamian culture and travel to the Western Hemisphere. The brother of Jared was apparently the spiritual leader of that group as they journeyed and then began life anew in their new country.

Key Teachings

The brother of Jared’s personal eyewitness that the spirit body of Jesus Christ appeared as his human body would is one of the strongest witnesses that we are created in the image of God, and God does indeed have a body.

Living with the Prophet

One of the most humbling experiences perhaps recorded in our scriptures is the incident when the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared for three hours from within a cloud. Included in that conversation was a chastening by God because the brother of Jared had neglected his prayers. Though it is unlikely that any of us would have such a chastening, what can you do to ensure that you do not become guilty of the same neglect?

Sources

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 1, s.v. “Brother of Jared.”

Book of Mormon, Reader’s Edition, ed. Grant Hardy.