Come, Follow Me 2026: Week 2 (January 5–11)

Moses 1; Abraham 3
Divine Identity, Resistance to Temptation, and the Eternal Work of God

Doctrinal Architecture: Three-Lens Analysis

This week's study unveils foundational truths through a structured theological lens, progressing from Moses's visionary encounter to Abraham's premortal revelations.

Ancient Context: Moses 1 commences not with creation but with divine self-disclosure, addressing Moses's plea: “Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens” (Moses 1:36). Abraham 3 extends this to premortal councils, framing earthly probation as purposeful testing (Abraham 3:22–28).

Modern Application: These visions clarify identity amid deception, as Satan counters divine affirmations with doubt (Moses 1:12), urging discernment in daily choices.

Eternal Principle: God's work centers on bringing "to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39), linking premortal nobility, mortal proving, and exaltation across dispensations.

Exegetical Analysis: Textual Archaeology

Delve into 9 key passages, excavating layers of meaning through original context and prophetic restoration.

1. Moses 1:4: God declares, “thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten”—establishing divine sonship as the antidote to isolation, revealed post-glory vision (Moses 1:1–3).
2. Moses 1:6: “Mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior”—prefigures redemptive mission, tying personal work to cosmic purpose.
3. Moses 1:12: Satan's counterfeit: “Moses, son of man, worship me”—mimics divine address but substitutes flattery for truth.
4. Moses 1:13–15: Moses resists: “I will not cease to call upon God...Get thee hence, Satan”—invokes covenant language, rejecting imitation power.
5. Moses 1:18, 20–22: Angelic rescue underscores: “the power of God...cast Satan down”—affirming divine intervention over self-reliance.
6. Moses 1:24–26: “Depart hence, Satan”—Moses's triumph via remembrance of divine witness, modeling post-revelation resilience.
7. Moses 1:31–39: “For behold, this is my work and my glory”—distinguishes immortality (universal resurrection) from eternal life (exaltation through Christ).
8. Abraham 3:22–23: “These I will make my rulers...ye were...in the beginning, in the presence of God”—affirms premortal agency and hierarchy.
9. Abraham 3:24–26: “We will prove them...to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them”—defines probationary purpose.

These layers reveal a narrative arc: affirmation, assault, triumph, and purpose.

Historical & Cultural Matrix

In ancient Near Eastern contexts, divine encounters often involved theophanies amid cosmic chaos, yet Moses 1 and Abraham 3—restored through Joseph Smith—transcend this by unveiling premortal realms unknown to biblical scribes. Moses's vision precedes Genesis revisions, providing "context for the Creation story." Abraham's astronomy-infused revelation (Abraham 3) bridges Egyptian cosmology with eternal councils, creating temporal bridges: ancient prophets glimpse dispensational truths fulfilled in latter-day scripture, illuminating why God initiates not with creation but identity.

Cross-Reference Web Matrix

SCHOLARLY CROSS-REFERENCE WEB MATRIX
Doctrinal Threads Across Dispensations

Primary Pattern: Divine Identity as Children of God in the Plan of Salvation
├─ Ancient Foundations (Genesis through Malachi)
│ ├─ Moses 1:4: “thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten”
│ ├─ Abraham 3:22–23: “ye were...in the beginning, in the presence of God”
│ └─ Prophetic type/symbol: Moses as type of Israel, proving through trials (Abraham 3:25)
│
├─ Meridian Fulfillment (New Testament parallels)
│ ├─ Christ's teaching: Matthew 4:1–11 (Satan's temptations post-baptismal witness)
│ ├─ Apostolic witness: “Ye are gods” (Psalm 82:6, echoed in John 10:34)
│ └─ Gospel fulfillment: Sonship enables overcoming, as in Moses 1:24–26
│
├─ Restoration Revelation (D&C/Pearl of Great Price)
│ ├─ Modern revelation: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36, cf. Moses 1:20)
│ ├─ Joseph Smith insight: Inspired translation reveals premortal life (Abraham 3:22–28)
│ └─ Latter-day application: Earth's purpose for proving (Abraham 3:25; D&C 11:20)
│
└─ Living Prophets (From bundle sources only)
├─ President Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” (worldwide devotional for young adults, May 2022): “If the Lord were speaking to you directly, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity”
├─ President Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity”: “The way you think about who you really are affects almost every decision you will ever make”
└─ Modern application: Prioritizing child-of-God identity over other labels shapes choices

Theological Discussion Points: Socratic Progression

1. What contrasts emerge between God's address in Moses 1:4,6 and Satan's in Moses 1:12?
2. How does Moses's invocation of priesthood power (Moses 1:15,20) reveal layers of resistance?
3. In what ways do counterfeits in Moses 1:13–18 parallel modern deceptions?
4. Why does Moses query “why these things are so” (Moses 1:30), and how does verse 39 resolve it?
5. Distinguish immortality from eternal life in Moses 1:39—what role does Christ play?
6. List premortal truths in Abraham 3:22–28; how do they reframe agency?
7. Trace the pattern: divine witness, satanic doubt, triumphant reliance (Moses 1:12–26).
8. How does Abraham 3:24–26 connect premortal choice to mortal probation?
9. Apply Nelson's counsel: How does identity as God's child influence daily decisions?
10. What “work” does God assign (Moses 1:6; D&C 11:20)—personal or collective?
11. Synthesize: How do these visions frame Genesis as response to Moses 1:36?
12. Transformative query: In proving contexts (Abraham 3:25), what eternal choices emerge?

Modern Prophetic Synthesis: Then and Now

Bundle sources integrate living revelation seamlessly: President Nelson's “Choices for Eternity” parallels Moses 1:4,6 against Moses 1:12, urging identity prioritization. Then: Moses beholds worlds, resists Satan. Now: “the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity”; decisions flow from divine sonship. Continuity manifests in resisting post-vision temptation, bridging ancient visions to contemporary devotionals.

Seminary & Institute Integration

Seminary emphases (via bundle) highlight Moses's works (Gospel Art Book, nos. 13–16; Old Testament Stories, pp. 64–84) as fulfillment of Moses 1:6, revealing patterns of divine commissioning. Institute-level patterns connect Abraham 3:22–28 to probationary “prove” (v. 25), prefiguring temple covenants without specifics.

Teaching Applications

Employ reverent discovery: Mirror activity (Moses 1:4) for children, contrasting God/Satan messages; family dinner discussions on resisting Satan (Moses 1:12–26). Act out temptations; draw premortal scenes (Abraham 3:22–28) synced to “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 164–65). Advanced: Chart identity lists per Nelson, fostering “temporal bridges” in youth classes.

Personal Study Pathways

Level 1 (Foundational): Read Moses 1; list divine affirmations vs. satanic doubts.
Level 2 (Analytical): Map Abraham 3:22–28 truths; contrast immortality/eternal life.
Level 3 (Synthetic): Journal choices rooted in “child of God” identity (Nelson).
Level 4 (Transformative): Role-play Moses 1:12–26 scenarios; ponder personal “work” (Moses 1:39).

Research Extensions

Consult Gospel Library: “Children of God,” “Premortal Life,” “Eternal Life”; full “Choices for Eternity” (May 2022); Gary E. Stevenson, “Deceive Me Not” (Liahona, Nov. 2019, 93–96). Methodology: Trace “prove” motif via index; compare visions in Pearl of Great Price student manual.

These restored visions of premortal councils and divine purpose invite scholarly pursuit of covenantal patterns spanning eternity.