After the design problems had been solved by the Lord, then came the moment to prepare for boarding. This was not to be a short trip, but a long ocean voyage that ended after 344 days. The people “prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water” (Ether 6:4). They also prepared “food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them” (Ether 6:4). We suspect the Jaredites would have known the length of the looming voyage, so they could provide sufficient provisions for themselves and their animals, with no burdensome surplus. Some of the animals carried aboard the vessels could have been for human consumption during the voyage or for milk and eggs. Unlike at the start of the journey, at the great tower of Babel, no mention is made of fish or bees. (For a fuller discussion of the Jaredite animals, and the meaning of such words as beasts, fowls, flocks and herds, see Sorting out the Jaredite Animals, below)

There is no mention of the number of people who entered the boats nor their names. There is also the question of how many persons a boat could reasonably hold, including animals and supplies. Noah’s ark, watertight like the vessels of the Jaredites, carried only four families (Ether 6:7 and Gen. 7:7). Would the eight vessels convey 32 or more families? Also, it is difficult to envisage not having some adults or parents aboard each of the boats. Assuming at least one adult couple per boat, this would require at least eight couples. There were children aboard the vessels (Ether 6:3). But how many adults and children elected to stay behind on the Asian coast, or were required to remain because of lack of space within the boats? The record is silent on these issues. We do know, however, that a significant number of families departed from the great tower, and numerous families reached the promised land (Ether 1:41; 6:13-16; and see below, Spreading and Multiplying on the Land, and Did Some Families Remain Behind in Asia?).