Ether Chapter 2

2:6,16 - "...And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord...And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built..."
The barges they built was after the manner of which they had done before, which was after the instructions of the Lord.
We must consult with the Lord in all our doings, and He will guide our paths.


2:14 - "...And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord..."
The brother of Jared was chastened, but not necessarily for 3 hours, but still chastened.  We must not forget to say our prayers or get complacent in them.  If we do, we lose the Spirit of the Lord quicker.


2:14 - "...and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord..."
When we understand our nature and the nature of God, it becomes a natural thing to pray.  It can be easy to forget in this world, but we can do better.


2:18-25 - Three different concerns, three different responses
There were three concerns - light, air, and steering.  For Light, the response was to study it out and come to the Lord with the solution.  For Air, the answer was given immediately - to take action to make holes in the barges.  For Steering, another answer was given, but a different type - it was to just trust the Lord that He would steer them in the right direction.  Sometimes we need to trust the Lord, sometimes He tells us to take action, and sometimes we need to come up with a solution and present it to the Lord for approval.  This shows many ways in which we can receive revelations.


2:23 - "...ye cannot have windows..."
This statement was a hint.  In Genesis 6:16, it says that Noah's Ark had windows, or if you look at the footnote, some scholars believe that it was a shining stone that shone in the ark.  The answer to the question had already been given, and the brother of Jared needed to search the scriptures or have something brought to his remembrance to find the answer to the question he had and receive revelation.