Written by Taylor Berhow, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.
Understand God the Father
In Moses chapter one, found in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses is transfigured (a special change of nature to a more glorified state) by God the Father, allowing him to see the Almighty face to face. These few precious verses that we have had revealed to us provide significant insight to Moses’ relationship with God; it is easy, and important, for us to apply what Moses learned about his relationship with God to our own lives.
An important idea that is revealed to Moses is the fact that God created the world and all of the things, which exist upon it. Moses must have been greatly impressed with these creations, as he “marveled and wondered,” over them. The idea of creation is one, which completely overwhelms me. The complexity of each living creature on this planet is so immense; it is a wonder how life processes exist and function in the effective and miraculous way that they do. Creation is an example of the awesome power held by our Heavenly Father, but more importantly than the endless and limitless abilities of God the Father, is the personal relationship each one of his creations can choose to have with him. This is another concept that Moses’ interaction with God in Moses, chapter one, teaches us.
The Father has infinite power to create life and create all things, yet he still chooses to uplift and support even his smallest, seemingly insignificant creations. Moses learns that without the support and fortification of God the Father, he has no strength. When God’s glory was removed from Moses, “Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth” (See Moses 1:9) When he is left alone, lacking the presence of God, he truly understands his own nothingness and exclaims, “Now for this cause, I know that man is nothing” (See Moses 1:10)
There is another important concept gleaned from this scene on the mountain. After the strength of the natural man is returned to Moses, he is visited and tempted by Satan, who commands Moses to worship him. Moses learns something incredibly vital to us all. In a time of immense temptation and difficulty, God dwells with Moses and strengthens him. Likewise, when Satan enters our lives, whether it be directly or in a way less obvious to us, or those around us, God the Father will provide strength if we ask for it. Often, he strengthens us when we forget to ask, or when an excess of pride blinds us from the way. Moses’ experience with these uplifting truths is a testimony to myself, and to all of the Father’s children, that our Heavenly Father loves and supports us in our greatest times of need. Our relationship with him is contingent on our efforts to improve it, but his love has no qualifications, for he truly has an infinite love for all of his children.
Additional Resources:
Request a free copy of the Bible, a testament of Jesus Christ—comparable to the Book of Mormon.
Read the Articles of Faith, 13 statements that summarize Mormon fundamental beliefs.
Moses was a prophet. Learn about modern-day prophets who live on the earth today.