Ether taught about all things from the beginning; but even the greatest vision means nothing to the wicked.
The waters of the Flood had to recede off the face of these lands that would later be called the Americas, which is evidence of the great Flood as a worldwide disaster; the Flood covered the whole earth and was its baptism by water (see also 3 Nephi 22:8–9).
The Lord set the Western Hemisphere apart for his special purposes. He brought groups of people here to these chosen lands to serve him (see commentary at 2 Nephi 1:5–6 and 2 Nephi 1:7–11).