Ether watched to the end or at least to the end of the fulfillment of prophecy. Moroni has only given us an overview, but sufficient to stand as a second witness to the conditions of the choice land of all other lands, being carried out. They must “serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fullness of his wrath should come upon them” (Ether 2:8). We again should remind ourselves that the same conditions have been extended to the Gentiles who collectively now occupy this land. Many of these conditions are not being met today and we need to repent.
Ether’s last words show his total dedication to the will of the Lord. He sought not fame nor fortune, but only salvation in the kingdom of God (v. 34). His reference to being translated is evidence that he was aware of the doctrine the Prophet Joseph Smith taught us:
Now the doctrine of translation is a power that belongs to [the Melchizedek] priesthood… .
Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine where men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered into so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (see Hebrews 11:35). [TPJS, 170]
Perhaps Ether has carried on other assignments on this earth, as has Moroni, (see commentary on Moroni 10:32–34). Someday we will learn more about this last great Jaredite prophet.