In the Book of Mormon, we find an intriguing description of the Jaredite vessels: they were “tight like unto a dish” (Ether 6:2), specifically designed to keep water from entering during their journey across the great deep. This seemingly simple description carries deep spiritual significance, especially when connected to another ancient vessel—Noah’s ark.
In Genesis 6:14, God commands Noah to “pitch” the ark within and without. The Hebrew word used here, “kaphar,” literally means “to cover” and is the same word that appears throughout the Old Testament as “atonement.” This connection reveals something beautiful about the Atonement’s purpose—to cover us, to protect us, to make us spiritually waterproof. Just as the pitch sealed Noah’s ark against the flood waters, making it possible for his family to survive the deluge, the Atonement of Jesus Christ seals us against spiritual destruction.
What strikes me most about these parallel accounts is how both vessels needed complete sealing. The ark was pitched “within and without.” The Jaredite vessels were “tight like unto a dish,” with specially designed seals for even their air holes. This thoroughness teaches us something powerful about how the Atonement works in our lives—it must penetrate completely, sealing both our outward actions and inward desires.
The Jaredite record adds another beautiful detail: these vessels were “exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish” (Ether 2:17). This detail matters—they didn’t just repel water, they could contain it. Like these vessels, our covenant relationship with God isn’t just about defending against life’s storms; it’s about our capacity to hold and treasure the living water He provides.
I testify that just as the Lord provided ways to seal these ancient vessels physically, He has provided His Atonement to seal us against spiritually. Through sacred covenants and ordinances, we too can become “tight like unto a dish,” capable of navigating life’s storms while retaining the living water He provides.
Elder Linder 