“Moses 1; Abraham 3,” Scripture Helps: Old Testament (2025)
Scripture Helps
Moses 1; Abraham 3
Moses conversed face-to-face with Jesus Christ, who spoke for Heavenly Father. Moses learned about his identity as a son of God and that God had a work for him to do. Moses then encountered Satan and was able to overcome him in the name of the Only Begotten Son. In another vision, the Lord showed Moses worlds without number and taught Moses that His work and glory was to save and exalt His children. The prophet Abraham also spoke with the Lord face-to-face. He learned about the nature and order of the cosmos and about the central role of Jesus Christ in the plan of salvation. The Lord showed Abraham the Council in Heaven, which occurred before the world was created, including Heavenly Father’s selection of Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world.
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Background and Context
What is the book of Moses?
Shortly after the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, the Prophet Joseph Smith began an inspired translation, or revision, of the King James Version of the Bible. Today this inspired translation, which the Prophet worked on until his death, is known as the Joseph Smith Translation. The book of Moses is part of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. (For more about the Joseph Smith Translation, see “What is the Joseph Smith Translation?” in the introduction to Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)
Moses 1 is particularly exceptional because it is completely unique material, with no counterpart in the Bible. Moses’s sacred experiences recorded in Moses 1 serve as a preface to the account of the Creation. In addition, Moses 2–8 presents information that is not found in the corresponding material in Genesis. These valuable contributions include:
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The significance of the Fall of Adam and Eve and clear explanations of its effects on humankind.
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Evidence that Adam and Eve and their descendants enjoyed the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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The establishment of Zion in Enoch’s day and his visions of the Lord.
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Details concerning the conditions on the earth before the Flood, as well as Noah’s efforts to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and warn the people to repent.
Who was speaking to Moses?
In Moses 1, Moses was speaking with the premortal Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. Because He is one with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ sometimes speaks as if He were God the Father. This is known as divine investiture of authority, in which Christ is invested with authority to speak for and in behalf of the Father.
President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “Before the Fall, our Heavenly Father spoke directly to Adam and Eve. Thereafter, the Father introduced His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer and gave us the command to ‘hear Him.’ From this direction we conclude that the scriptural records of words spoken by ‘God’ or the ‘Lord’ are almost always the words of Jehovah, our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.”
What does it mean that “all things are present” with God?
As mortals, we have a limited view of the past and present and can only guess what will happen in the future. This is not so for God. He knows “the end from the beginning.”
God’s omniscience—His knowledge of all things—makes the plan of salvation possible. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The great Jehovah contemplated the whole of the events connected with the earth, pertaining to the plan of salvation, before it rolled into existence … ; the past, the present, and the future were and are, with Him, one eternal ‘now’; … He comprehended the Fall of man, and his redemption; He knew the plan of salvation and pointed it out; He was acquainted with the situation of all nations and with their destiny; He ordered all things according to the counsel of His own will; He knows the situation of both the living and the dead, and has made ample provision for their redemption, according to their several circumstances, and the laws of the kingdom of God, whether in this world, or in the world to come.”
Why did Moses say that “man is nothing”?
As a member of Pharaoh’s household, Moses “was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” However, after experiencing a vision of the power and glory of God, he humbly acknowledged that in comparison, “man is nothing.”
Even though Moses felt insignificant compared to God, the truth is that all people are of infinite worth. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then a member of the First Presidency, taught: “This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it.”
What does it mean to be transfigured?
Transfiguration is “the condition of persons who are temporarily changed in appearance and nature—that is, lifted to a higher spiritual level—so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings.”
What does it mean that Jesus Christ created “worlds without number?”
Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, “Long before He was born at Bethlehem and became known as Jesus of Nazareth, our Savior was Jehovah. Way back then, under the direction of the Father, Christ was the Lord of the universe, who created worlds without number—of which ours is only one (see Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2). How many planets are there in the universe with people on them? We don’t know, but we are not alone in the universe! God is not the God of only one planet!”
What is the difference between immortality and eternal life?
“Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, ‘This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ [Moses 1:39]. Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to live in God’s presence and to continue as families. Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, to inherit eternal life requires our ‘obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel’ [Articles of Faith 1:3].”
What is the book of Abraham?
The book of Abraham is Joseph Smith’s “inspired translation of the writings of Abraham.” It contains unique details about Abraham’s life and ministry. It also provides significant insights about important doctrinal topics such as the Abrahamic covenant, foreordination, the Council in Heaven, and the planning and Creation of the earth.
In 1835 a man named Michael Chandler brought four Egyptian mummies and several papyrus scrolls of ancient Egyptian writings to Kirtland, Ohio. Members of the Church purchased the mummies and rolls of papyrus. Joseph Smith later translated some of the writings and published them as the “Book of Abraham” in a Church publication called the Times and Seasons beginning in March 1842.
Papyrus fragment showing part of “A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham, No. 1”
Today, only small fragments of the long papyrus scrolls possessed by Joseph Smith are known to exist. The original scrolls had been sold after the Prophet’s death and many parts were lost. The writing on these surviving fragments does not appear to be from the portion of the scrolls that match the translation given in the book of Abraham. It is possible that Joseph translated the book of Abraham from portions of the papyrus that are now missing. Another possibility is that the Prophet’s study of the papyrus served as a catalyst that prompted a revelation about Abraham—similar to how Joseph received revelation about the life of Moses while studying the Bible. In any case, it is clear that Joseph Smith did not translate the book of Abraham using conventional means. He did not know Egyptian or have the tools needed to understand it without the Lord’s help. Like his previous translation of the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the book of Abraham through revelation from God.
The book of Abraham includes details that are not found in the Bible but are consistent with other ancient texts. However, the greatest evidence of the truthfulness of the book of Abraham is not found in physical or historical evidence but in prayerful consideration of its content and power. As with all other scriptures, a testimony of the truthfulness of these writings is primarily a matter of faith.
What is the Urim and Thummim?
Urim and thummim come from Hebrew words meaning “lights” and “perfections.” The name Urim and Thummim was given to an instrument the Lord prepared to assist individuals in obtaining revelation and translating languages.
The scriptures reveal that there was more than one such instrument. The Old Testament records that Israelite high priests used a Urim and Thummim to receive revelation. In the New World, prophets of the Book of Mormon used a pair of stones they called “interpreters.” The Prophet Joseph Smith was given the interpreters that had previously been given to the brother of Jared. The Prophet described them as being “two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim.”
Why did the Lord show Abraham the order, movements, and times of stars and planets?
Abraham’s vision of the stars and planets occurred while he was traveling to Egypt. Ancient Egyptians were familiar with the movement of planets and stars, and they had religious beliefs connected with them. During Abraham’s vision, the Lord instructed Abraham to teach the truths he learned to the Egyptians. It is possible the Lord taught Abraham about the cosmos so that he could share the gospel with the Egyptians in a way that would resonate with them.
One of these stars, known to Heavenly Father as Kolob, can be a symbol of Jesus Christ. Kolob is the great star, which is “nearest unto the throne of God,” “the great one,” “the first creation” and “set … to govern all those which belong to the same order.” Abraham learned that it is not size that makes one star or planet greater than another but rather its proximity to Kolob. The same is true with the children of God—their greatness and glory will depend upon their proximity to God.
What are “intelligences”?
The term intelligences can be used to describe the spirit children of God. It can also describe “the spirit element that existed before we were begotten as spirit children.” Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught, “Prophets have revealed that we first existed as intelligences and that we were given form, or spirit bodies, by God, thus becoming His spirit children—sons and daughters of heavenly parents.”
What does it mean to be “chosen,” or foreordained?
Abraham learned that he was one of many noble and great spirits in the premortal life. God said He would make these spirits His “rulers.” In his vision of the spirit world, President Joseph F. Smith described noble and great spirits “who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.” Of these spirits, Joseph F. Smith’s vision revealed: “Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.”
God’s appointment of certain spirits to fulfill specific missions on earth is called foreordination.
“Foreordination does not guarantee that individuals will receive certain callings or responsibilities. Such opportunities come in this life as a result of the righteous exercise of agency, just as foreordination came as a result of righteousness in the premortal existence. …
“The doctrine of foreordination applies to all members of the Church, not just to the Savior and His prophets. Before the creation of the earth, faithful women were given certain responsibilities and faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood duties. As people prove themselves worthy, they will be given opportunities to fulfill the assignments they then receive.”
What is an estate, and how does one keep it?
The term “first estate” refers to our premortal life. We kept our first estate by accepting Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and choosing to follow Jesus Christ. Because we kept our first estate, we were given the opportunity to come to earth and receive a physical body.
Our mortal existence on earth is known as our “second estate.” We keep our second estate by choosing to follow Jesus Christ and receiving the ordinances of His gospel. Those who keep their second estate will receive eternal life and have “glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.” Those who do not have the opportunity to accept and live the gospel in mortality are given that opportunity in the spirit world, after they die.
Learn More
Overcoming Satan’s opposition
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Jeffrey R. Holland, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 6–11
God’s work and glory
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Patrick Kearon, “God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home,” Liahona, May 2024, 87–89
The book of Abraham
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Andrew C. Skinner, “The Book of Abraham: A Most Remarkable Gift for Our Time” (digital-only article), Liahona, Jan. 2022, Gospel Library
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Topics and Questions, “Abraham, Book of,” Gospel Library
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Gospel Topics Essays, “Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham,” Gospel Library
Media
Video
“I Am a Son of God” (6:30)
Images
Joseph and Sidney, by Annie Henrie Nader
Moses Seeing Jehovah, by Joseph Brickey
Moses Overcomes Satan, by Joseph Brickey