Editing Book of Ether (section)

==Parallels==
The Book of Ether parallels in many ways the story of the Book of Mormon as a whole. A small group (Jared and his companions; Lehi and his family) separate themselves from a wicked society (the Tower of Babel; Jerusalem just prior to its destruction) and establish a new nation (the Jaredites; the Nephites) in "the promised land." In each case the group is divided following the death of the original leaders and the divisions contend for many generations. The fortunes of the nations are dependent upon their obedience to God—righteousness brings prosperity and wickedness brings destruction (sometimes delayed). Ultimately, the wicked prevail and the nation is destroyed.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/appendix-cycle|title=Book of Mormon Student Manual|year=2009|website=ChurchofJesusChrist.org|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|page=414|access-date=2016-11-03}}</ref>

These parallels are often emphasized in [[Mormonism]] as applicable to the present day. The Americas are still considered "the promised land" and the continued prosperity of the present nations are believed to be contingent on the righteousness of their people.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}}