Moses 1; Abraham 3: Lesson 5

Moses 1:12–26

“Get Thee Hence, Satan”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

We all have felt Satan’s temptations. Moses learned one way we can be strengthened against temptation. By remembering our true identity, we can draw strength from God to overcome temptation. This lesson can help you find that strength.

Learning tip. Some lessons will invite you to record what you have learned in a notebook. You can use a paper notebook or create a notebook in Gospel Library. You may want to consider having a notebook that you use only for seminary so that all your seminary thoughts are in the same place.

Study the Scriptures

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

We speak boldly because Satan is a real being set on destroying you, and you face his influence at a younger and younger age. (“We Are All Enlisted,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 45)

What are some of the temptations teenagers face? What makes it difficult for teens to resist those temptations? How effective do you feel you are at overcoming temptation?

Although Moses was a mighty prophet, he also faced great temptation. Shortly after Moses’s experience with God, he had an extremely difficult experience where “Satan came tempting him” (Moses 1:12). Because of what Moses knew and did, he was able to prevail.

Read Moses 1:12–22. As you read, mark what Moses did to overcome Satan’s temptations. Or you can watch the video “I Am a Son of God” from timecode 2:50 to 6:30 for ideas.

Make a note next to Moses 1:12, or in a notebook, with a list of your findings. You may want to title the list “How Moses Overcame Temptation.”

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

How can understanding who I am give me power?

One way Satan tempted Moses was to question his identity. Reread Moses 1:12–13. What did Satan call Moses in verse 12, and how did Moses respond in verse 13?

Make a note next to the phrase “son of man” in verse 12.

• Why do you think Satan used this phrase in speaking to Moses?

Make a note next to the phrase “I am a son of God” in verse 13.

• How do you think Moses benefited from knowing this truth?

President Bonnie H. Cordon shared the following experience about being called as the Young Women General President.

As I sat on the couch with my husband, our prophet pulled his chair over, almost knee to knee with us, and looked at me with his piercing blue eyes. I wasn’t sure if my heart was racing or had completely stopped as he called me to serve as the Young Women General President. He asked a question that still echoes in my heart, “Bonnie, what’s the most important thing the [youth] need to know?”

I pondered for a moment and said, “They need to know who they are.”

“YES!” he exclaimed, “and they need to know their purpose.” (“Come unto Christ and Don’t Come Alone,” Liahona, Nov 2021, 10)

To help you remember who you are, make a reminder! You can place a note on a mirror or by your bed, set an alarm on a phone, or create your own approach.

Option B

How does calling upon God help me deal with temptation?

Moses is not the only person who has overcome Satan’s attempts to destroy him. Jesus Christ himself was also tempted (see Matthew 4:1–11). In 1820, Satan confronted Joseph Smith as well.

Read Joseph Smith—History 1:13–16, looking for similarities to the story of Moses. Record what you find in your notebook.

You may want to consider the following:

• How did the Prophet ultimately overcome Satan?

• What happened as a result of the Prophet overcoming Satan (see Moses 1:24–25; Joseph Smith—History 1:17)?

Both Joseph and Moses sought God’s help through prayer. But they were more than just basic prayers. President Russell M. Nelson taught:

When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him—when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life—you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do.

When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you. (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 42)

Over the next few days, follow the pattern of prayer taught by Moses, Joseph Smith, and President Nelson. Pay attention to any difference you feel as you pray more fervently.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you draw strength from God to overcome temptation.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• Your insights on the importance of the phrases “son of man” and “son of God” in verses 12 and 13.

• What you experienced as you followed the pattern of prayer taught by Moses, Joseph Smith, and President Nelson.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?