Week 2: January 5–11 - Moses 1; Abraham 3

Week Overview

Imagine the moment Moses stands in God's presence, beholding His glory, only to face a stark contrast from Satan moments later. Feel the weight of these visions in Moses 1 and Abraham 3, where the Lord reveals truths about existence before "the beginning" described in Genesis 1:1. Through Joseph Smith's inspired translation, these chapters answer profound questions: Who is God? Who are we? What is God’s work, and what is our place in it? Notice how Moses pleads, “Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens” (Moses 1:36), setting the stage for revelations that frame the entire Creation narrative.

Key Scripture Moments

Here's the remarkable moment when God declares Moses's worth: “And thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior: wherefore, ... thou art a son of God; and he hath caused that thou shouldst be called Moses” (Moses 1:6, from Moses 1:4, 6). Notice what happens next as Satan counters: “Moses, son of man, worship me” (Moses 1:12).

Observe the turning point in Moses's resistance: “Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not” (Moses 1:16), culminating in divine power: “And it came to pass that when Satan had departed from the presence of Moses, ... the glory of God was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God” (Moses 1:25–26).

Finally, witness God's purpose unveiled: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Hidden Connections

These visions link across prophets: Abraham sees premortal intelligences gathered, echoing Moses's glimpse of God's creations (Moses 1:27–39; Abraham 3:22–28). In Abraham 3:24–26, noble spirits chosen for leadership connect to Moses's divine commission (Moses 1:6), revealing how premortal choices prepare earthly missions. Satan’s counterfeit temptations in Moses 1:12–18 mirror modern deceptions, contrasting God's affirming voice.

Pattern Discovery

Notice this pattern repeating: God affirms divine sonship first (Moses 1:4, 6), Satan denies it (Moses 1:12), and faithfulness prevails through reliance on the Lord (Moses 1:20–26). This echoes in Abraham 3:22–28, where premortal spirits prove themselves, linking to earthly tests like those Moses faced. God's work centers on eternal life for all (Moses 1:39; Abraham 3:26), a theme bridging Moses's vision to Abraham's.

Simple Questions

1. What differences emerge between God’s words in Moses 1:4, 6 and Satan’s in Moses 1:12?
2. How does Moses respond to temptation in verses 13, 15, 18, 20–22, 26—what builds his strength?
3. Why does Moses ask, “Tell me … why these things are so” (Moses 1:30), and what follows in verses 31–39?
4. In Abraham 3:22–28, what truths about premortal life stand out, including roles of Jesus Christ and noble spirits?
5. How do phrases like “before the world was” and “prove” in Abraham 3:22–28 connect to Moses 1:39?
6. What counterfeits does Satan offer in Moses 1:13–18, and how does the Lord counter them in verses 24–26?

One Big Idea

God's work and glory—“to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39)—defines our divine destiny as His children, revealed through Moses's post-vision plea (Moses 1:36) and Abraham's premortal glimpse (Abraham 3:22–28). This principle, restored via Joseph Smith, transforms Genesis by showing our spirits existed "before the world was" (Abraham 3:22), proving ourselves through earthly choices (Abraham 3:25).

Living It

Compare God’s message in Moses 1:4 with Satan’s in verse 12 during family meals, helping children distinguish voices and affirm, “You are a child of God.”
Act out Moses’s resistance in Moses 1:12–26—pray, walk away, seek help—practicing responses to temptations like those in Abraham 3:25.
Make a list of daily choices shaped by premortal truths in Abraham 3:22–28, treating self and others as divine children.

Faith Builder

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “If the Lord were speaking to you directly, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity” (“Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 2022], Gospel Library). He added, “The way you think about who you really are affects almost every decision you will ever make” (“Choices for Eternity”). These words echo God’s declaration in Moses 1:4, 6 and the premortal truths of Abraham 3:22–28.

These visions invite us to embrace our identity as children of God, resisting deception to fulfill His work of eternal life through Jesus Christ.