Jared is the first in a long sequence of leaders associated with the civilization known as the Jaredites. Jared, knowing that his brother is “highly favored of the Lord” (verse 34), wisely depends on his leadership and intercession with heaven to ensure that their families and associates are spared the confounding of languages and then prepared to be guided by the Lord toward the promised land. Thus the stage is set for the first of several oceanic migrations contributing to the building up of the great nations chronicled in the Book of Mormon. After a number of years of preparation, Jared and his circle are led by the Lord “three hundred and forty and four days upon the water” (Ether 6:11) until they reach the shores of the New World—a choice land concerning which the Lord decrees: “Whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). Having attained their new homeland, Jared and his circle of followers are “taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high” (Ether 6:17). At the end of his days, Jared, despite firm warnings from his brother, permits his posterity to establish a monarchial system of governance in the land (see Ether 6:24–27). Thus is established a pattern that endures for generations among the Jaredites—either to their blessing through the influence and inspiration of righteous kings, or to their captivity and suffering through the oppression of evil kings. In the end, the latter prevails—unto the utter extinction of the Jaredite civilization, for the Lord has decreed with an unalterable decree “that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them” (Ether 2:8).