Moses 1:1–11

God Revealed Himself to Moses

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

Moses saw God face-to-face upon an unknown mountain sometime after he spoke to the Lord in the burning bush but before he went to free the children of Israel from Egypt (see Moses 1:1–2, 17, 25–26, 42; see also Exodus 3:1–10).
No one can endure God’s presence unless the glory of God is upon him (see Moses 1:2, 11; see also D&C 67:11; 84:21–22).
Moses was a son of God and was in the “similitude” (likeness) of Jesus Christ (Moses 1:4, 6–7; see also D&C 25:1). In his calling and ministry, Moses was also a “type” or likeness of Jesus Christ (see Moses 1:25–26; see also Deuteronomy 18:15; 3 Nephi 20:23; also compare Exodus 2:1–10 and Matthew 2:11–23).
All other beliefs, objects, or persons that people place above God in their lives are false gods (see Moses 1:6; see also Exodus 20:1–6; Romans 1:25; D&C 93:19).
God knows all things (see Moses 1:6; see also 2 Nephi 9:20; Jacob 2:5; D&C 38:2).
Man and his works cannot compare with the majesty and greatness of God (see Moses 1:9–10; see also Mosiah 2:23–25; Helaman 12:7–8).

Suggestions for Teaching

Overview of Moses 1. Moses Saw Jesus Christ and Satan

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Christ appearing to Moses

Discuss what it is like to walk into a dark room from a brightly lit room, or vice versa. What happens to one’s eyesight? Compare what happened to Moses as he spoke to God (see Moses 1:1–9, 25–31) to what happened when he confronted Satan (see verses 12–24).

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Video presentation—“I Am a Son of God”

Consider showing part of the video “I Am a Son of God” (6:30). In this video, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles narrates Moses’s experience meeting God face-to-face. Play the video from the beginning, and stop the video after Moses’s vision ends (time code 2:50). Or, consider showing the entire video as you teach the following scripture block (Moses 1:12–23) to help students understand that we should not fear in the midst of adversity because God can help us. This video is available on LDS.org.

Moses 1:1–2. “An Exceedingly High Mountain”

Ask a student to read Moses 1:1–2 aloud. Explore the similar experiences of other prophets who were caught up to high mountains, including Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 40:1–4), John the Beloved (see Revelation 21:10), and Nephi (see 1 Nephi 11:1). The experiences of prophets who saw God face-to-face are recorded in Genesis 32:30; Exodus 33:11; Ether 12:38–39; Moses 7:2–4; Abraham 3:11; and Joseph Smith—History 1:15–17. Discuss how prophets today are like the prophets of old.

Moses 1:2, 9–11. “Man Is Nothing”

Ask a few students to take turns reading Moses 1:2, 9–11 aloud to see what happened to Moses. Discuss what happened to Moses by referring to the commentary under “Moses 1:2, 9–11. Why Could Moses Endure the Presence of God?” in the student manual. What did Moses learn about God and about himself? What did Moses mean when he said, “I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed” (see also 2 Nephi 4:16–23; Mosiah 4:5, 11; Alma 26:12; Helaman 12:7–8)?

Moses 1:3–6. “I Am”

Invite students to find the phrases in Moses 1:3–6 that God used to describe Himself. Discuss the meanings of these phrases:

“The Lord God Almighty” (verse 3; see 1 Nephi 7:12; Mosiah 4:9; Ether 3:4; D&C 93:17).
“Endless is my name” (verse 3; see D&C 19:9–12; 20:17; Moses 7:35).
“All things are present with me” (verse 6; see D&C 38:1–2; 130:4–7). Also review the statement by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in the commentary under “Moses 1:6. ‘All Things Are Present with Me’” in the student manual.
“I know them all” (verse 6; see 2 Nephi 9:20; Alma 26:35; Moroni 7:22). Also, display and invite a few students to take turns reading aloud the statements by the Prophet Joseph Smith and Elder James E. Talmage in the commentary under “Moses 1:6. ‘All Things Are Present with Me’” in the student manual.

Moses 1:4, 6–7. Moses Was a Son of God

Ask students: Has anyone ever told you that they would be honored to have you as a son or a daughter? You may want to suggest that students mark “my son” in Moses 1:4, 6–7. Review the commentary under “Moses 1:4–6. Moses Was a Son of God” in the student manual. Invite students to share their thoughts on the significance of being called “sons and daughters of God.”

Moses 1:6. “Thou Art in the Similitude”

Ask a student to read Moses 1:6 aloud. Explain that “in the similitude” means “resembling another” or “to be in the form or image of another.” In what ways was Moses’s life similar to the life of Jesus Christ? What are some things we are asked to do as members of the Church that are similar to what Jesus Christ did? What can we accomplish in this life, and in the next life, because we know we are in the similitude of God? Testify of our divine parentage and potential.

Moses 1:6. “There Is No God beside Me”

Invite a student to read Moses 1:6 aloud. Ask students to suggest some ideas, objects, or people that we sometimes place ahead of God in our lives. Display and invite a few students to take turns reading aloud the commentary under “Moses 1:6. ‘There Is No God beside Me’” in the student manual.