Moses

Son of Amram (Ex. 6:16, 18, 20; 1 Chr. 6:1–3); family (1 Chr. 23:13–17; 26:24–25); birth, exposure, and adoption (Ex. 2:1–10; Acts 7:20–21; Heb. 11:23); refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Heb. 11:24); flight into Midian (Ex. 2:10–20; Acts 7:24–29); marriage, birth of Gershom (Ex. 2:21–22; Acts 7:29); the bush, sent to Egypt (Ex. 3; Ps. 105:26; Acts 7:30–35); the three signs (Ex. 4:1–9, 21–23); Aaron his spokesman (Ex. 4:10–16); departs to Egypt (Ex. 4:19–20); circumcision of Gershom (Ex. 4:24–26); met by Aaron (Ex. 4:27–28); assembles Israel (Ex. 4:29–31); interview with Pharaoh (Ex. 5:1–5); reproached by the people (Ex. 5:20–21); his complaint to God (Ex. 5:22–23); further promise and charge (Ex. 6:1–9, 28–30; 7:1–9); the signs done (Ex. 7:10–11); the 10 plagues (Ex. 7:19–11:10; 12:29–30); pursuit, and passage of the Red Sea (Ex. 14; Acts 7:36); believed by the people (Ex. 14:31; Josh. 4:14); his song (Ex. 15:1–19); the people murmur against, at Marah (Ex. 15:24); at Sin (Ex. 16:2–3); at Rephidim (Ex. 17:2–3); on the return of the spies (Num. 14:2); on the rebellion of Korah (Num. 16:41); at Kadesh (Num. 20:2–3); when compassing Edom (Num. 21:5); sweetens the waters (Ex. 15:25); brings water out of the rock, at Horeb (Ex. 17:5–6); at Kadesh (Num. 20:7–11); brings quails, at Sin (Ex. 16:13); at Kibroth-hattaavah (Num. 11:31–34; Ps. 105:40); manna (Ex. 16:14–36; Num. 11:6–9; Deut. 8:3; Neh. 9:15; Ps. 78:24; 105:40; John 6:31–32); holds the rod while Joshua and Amalek fight (Ex. 17:9–12); goes up to God, the Law (Ex. 19; Heb. 12:21); returns, with the tables (Ex. 31:18; 32:7, 15–16); God will make of him a nation (Ex. 32:9–10; Num. 14:12); his intercessions (Ex. 32:11–13, 30–34; 34:8–9; Ps. 106:23); also at Taberah (Num. 11:2); on the return of the spies (Num. 14:13–19); on the rebellion of Korah (Num. 16:22); breaks the tables (Ex. 32:19); destroys the calf (Ex. 32:20); has the idolators slain (Ex. 32:25–29); a leader in God’s stead (Ex. 33:1–3); speaks with God face to face in the tabernacle (Ex. 33:7–11); sees God’s glory (Ex. 33:12–23); two new tables (Ex. 34:1–4, 27; JST Ex. 34:1–2 [Appendix]); with God another 40 days (Ex. 34:28); his face shines, the veil (Ex. 34:29–35; 2 Cor. 3:7, 13); rears the tabernacle (Ex. 40:17–38); consecrates Aaron and his sons (Lev. 8); the census (Num. 1); again, in the plains of Moab (Num. 26); sends the spies (Num. 13); rebellion of Korah (Num. 16; Ps. 106:16); sends to Edom (Num. 20:14); the brazen serpent (Num. 21:8–9; John 3:14); song at the well (Num. 21:17–18); views the land (Num. 27:12–14; Deut. 34:1–4); appoints Joshua (Num. 27:15–23); settles the 2½ tribes (Num. 32); “a prophet like unto him” (Deut. 18:15–19; Acts 3:22; 7:37; JS—H 1:40); Ebal and Gerizim (Deut. 27–28); exhortations (Deut. 29–31); the elders gathered (Deut. 31:28); his song (Deut. 32); blesses the 12 tribes (Deut. 33); his death (Deut. 34:1–8); his greatness (Deut. 34:10–12); his meekness (Num. 12:3); his faithfulness (Num. 12:7; Heb. 3:2, 5).

As was the case with many of the ancient prophets, Moses’ ministry extended beyond the limits of his own mortal lifetime. In company with Elijah, he came to the Mount of Transfiguration and bestowed keys of the priesthood upon Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:3–4; Mark 9:4–9; Luke 9:30; D&C 63:21; HC 3:387). From this event, which occurred before the Resurrection of Jesus, we understand that Moses was a translated being and had not died as reported in Deut. 34 (Alma 45:19). It was necessary that he be translated, in order to have a body of flesh and bones at the time of the Transfiguration, since the Resurrection had not yet taken place. Had he been a spirit only, he could not have performed the work on the mount of giving the keys to the mortal Peter, James, and John (see D&C 129).

Moses came again to the earth on April 3, 1836, to the temple in Kirtland, Ohio, and conferred the keys of the gathering of Israel upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C 110), so that the keys of authority would once more be operative among men on the earth.

Latter-day revelation speaks much concerning Moses. He is mentioned frequently in the Book of Mormon, and from the Doctrine and Covenants we learn concerning his ministry (D&C 84:20–26) and that he received the priesthood from his father-in-law Jethro (D&C 84:6). The Lord has also given us the record of several visions of Moses, which greatly enlarges our knowledge of him (Moses 1). The book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price also enriches our appreciation of its author.

Latter-day revelation concerning Moses confirms the biblical account of his greatness, his divine calling, and the events of his ministry and reaffirms that he was the author of the five books that bear his name (1 Ne. 5:11; Moses 1:40–41). He is one of the greatest of men. For other references see Ps. 103:7; Isa. 63:12; Jer. 15:1; Mal. 4:4; Matt. 23:2; Luke 16:29, 31; John 1:17; 5:46; Acts 7:20–44; 1 Cor. 10:2; 2 Tim. 3:8; Heb. 11:23–29; Jude 1:9; Rev. 15:3; 1 Ne. 4:2; 17:23–30, 42; D&C 8:3; JS—M 1:55.