The book of Moses may be divided into two major The book of Moses may be divided into two major sectionssections::

Moses 1Moses 1, which relates experiences from Moses’ life that are , which relates experiences from Moses’ life that are not not found in the book of Genesisfound in the book of Genesis..

Moses 2-8Moses 2-8, which contains the inspired and restored account of events , which contains the inspired and restored account of events described in the Bible, including the Creation of the earth; the Fall of described in the Bible, including the Creation of the earth; the Fall of Adam and Eve; the story of Cain and Abel; the ministry, teachings, Adam and Eve; the story of Cain and Abel; the ministry, teachings, and visions of Enoch; and the story of Noah up to the time the Lord and visions of Enoch; and the story of Noah up to the time the Lord decreed the destruction of all flesh by the Flood. decreed the destruction of all flesh by the Flood.

At this point, one must return to Genesis 6:14 for a continuation of the At this point, one must return to Genesis 6:14 for a continuation of the scriptural recordscriptural record..

The Book of MosesThe Book of MosesSoon after the Church was organized on 6 April 1830, the Lord Soon after the Church was organized on 6 April 1830, the Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith to begin an inspired translation, commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith to begin an inspired translation, or revision, of the King James Version of the Bible. or revision, of the King James Version of the Bible.

Today this inspired revision, which Today this inspired revision, which the Prophet worked on until the the Prophet worked on until the time of his deathtime of his death, is known as the Joseph Smith Translation. , is known as the Joseph Smith Translation.

The Prophet Joseph Smith restored to the Bible “many parts which are The Prophet Joseph Smith restored to the Bible “many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord (which plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord (which were) taken away” (I Nephi 13:26; see also I Nephi 13:39-40). were) taken away” (I Nephi 13:26; see also I Nephi 13:39-40).

Between June 1830 and February 1831, the Prophet completed Between June 1830 and February 1831, the Prophet completed Genesis 1:1 through 6:13, which is now contained in the Pearl of Genesis 1:1 through 6:13, which is now contained in the Pearl of Great PriceGreat Price as Moses 1-8as Moses 1-8..

In an introduction to Moses 1, the Prophet In an introduction to Moses 1, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote: Joseph Smith wrote:

““The Lord, who well knew our infantile The Lord, who well knew our infantile and delicate situation, vouchsafed for us a and delicate situation, vouchsafed for us a supply of strength, and granted us ‘line supply of strength, and granted us ‘line upon line of knowledge --- here a little upon line of knowledge --- here a little and there a little,’ of which the following and there a little,’ of which the following was a precious morsel” (was a precious morsel” (HCHC, 1:98)., 1:98).

Moses 1Moses 1Some scholars believe that Moses was receiving his Some scholars believe that Moses was receiving his endowment.endowment.

Moses 1:1-8Moses 1:1-8 Moses is with GodMoses is with God

Moses 1:9-23Moses 1:9-23 Moses is in a state of weakness and Moses is in a state of weakness and encounters Satanencounters Satan

Moses 1:24-42Moses 1:24-42 Moses is back in the presence of Moses is back in the presence of GodGod

The Book of Moses is intended for believers (Moses 1:42).The Book of Moses is intended for believers (Moses 1:42).

Moses 1 was probably deleted from the Genesis Moses 1 was probably deleted from the Genesis account by evil menaccount by evil men. . WhyWhy? ?

1. 1. Satan does not want us to know that we can have power over Satan does not want us to know that we can have power over him.him.

2.2. So people would not think that visions and revelation still So people would not think that visions and revelation still happen today.happen today.

3. 3. If Moses existed, than people must accept that God exist.If Moses existed, than people must accept that God exist.

4.4. Lucifer does not want us to know that there is no glory Lucifer does not want us to know that there is no glory associated with him.associated with him.

Moses 1 is given after the “burning bush” experience and before Moses 1 is given after the “burning bush” experience and before going to fulfill his mission in Egyptgoing to fulfill his mission in Egypt ( (HCHC 1:98). 1:98).

It seems to be the starting point of the Book of It seems to be the starting point of the Book of Genesis.Genesis.

Moses 1:3-8Moses 1:3-8 Who Spoke to Who Spoke to Moses?Moses?

The personage who spoke to Moses was the pre-mortal The personage who spoke to Moses was the pre-mortal Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. Being one with Heavenly Father, Jesus at times speaks as if Being one with Heavenly Father, Jesus at times speaks as if He were God the Father (see Moses 1:6). This is known as He were God the Father (see Moses 1:6). This is known as divine investituredivine investiture, whereby Christ is invested with authority , whereby Christ is invested with authority to speak for and in behalf of the Father (D&C 29:1, 42, 46).to speak for and in behalf of the Father (D&C 29:1, 42, 46).

President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:

““All revelation since the fall has come through Jesus All revelation since the fall has come through Jesus Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old Testament… Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old Testament… He is the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel; the He is the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel; the one who led that nation out of Egyptian bondage, one who led that nation out of Egyptian bondage, and who gave and fulfilled the Law of Moses. and who gave and fulfilled the Law of Moses. The The Father has never dealt with man directly and Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Sonexcept to introduce and bear record of the Son” ” ((Doctrines of SalvationDoctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, , comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. (1954-56), 1:27).3 vols. (1954-56), 1:27).

Moses 1:4-6Moses 1:4-6 Moses was a Son of GodMoses was a Son of God

In a 1909 discourse titled “The Origin of Man,” the First In a 1909 discourse titled “The Origin of Man,” the First Presidency wrote: “Man is the child of God, formed in the Presidency wrote: “Man is the child of God, formed in the divine image and endowed with divine attributes, and even divine image and endowed with divine attributes, and even as the infant son of an earthly father and mother is capable as the infant son of an earthly father and mother is capable in due time of becoming a man, so the undeveloped in due time of becoming a man, so the undeveloped offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience through ages and eons, of evolving into a God” through ages and eons, of evolving into a God” ((Improvement EraImprovement Era, Nov. 1909, 81). (Hebrews 12:9)., Nov. 1909, 81). (Hebrews 12:9).

Elder Packer said that arguably the greatest hymn that has Elder Packer said that arguably the greatest hymn that has ever been written is “ever been written is “I Am a Child of GodI Am a Child of God.”.”

Elder Boyd K. Packer, a member of the Elder Boyd K. Packer, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained:

““The Father is the one true God. This thing is The Father is the one true God. This thing is certain: no one will ever ascend above Him; certain: no one will ever ascend above Him; no one will ever replace Him. Nor will no one will ever replace Him. Nor will anything ever change the relationship that we, anything ever change the relationship that we, His literal offspring, have with Him. He is His literal offspring, have with Him. He is Elohim, the Father. He is God. Of Him there Elohim, the Father. He is God. Of Him there is only one. We revere our Father and our is only one. We revere our Father and our God; we worship Him” (C.R. Oct. 1984).God; we worship Him” (C.R. Oct. 1984).

Moses 1:6Moses 1:6 ““All things are present with meAll things are present with me””

Concerning God’s knowledge of all things, the Concerning God’s knowledge of all things, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

““Without the knowledge of all things God would not Without the knowledge of all things God would not be able to save any portion of his creatures; for it is be able to save any portion of his creatures; for it is by reason of the knowledge which has of all things, by reason of the knowledge which has of all things, from the beginning to the end, that enables Him to from the beginning to the end, that enables Him to give that understanding to his creatures by which give that understanding to his creatures by which they are made partakers of eternal life; and if it were they are made partakers of eternal life; and if it were not for the idea existing in the minds of men that not for the idea existing in the minds of men that God had all knowledge it would be impossible for God had all knowledge it would be impossible for them to exercise faith in Him” (them to exercise faith in Him” (Lectures on Faith Lectures on Faith (1985), 51-52).(1985), 51-52).

Moses 1:10Moses 1:10

We are living on a small planet that is part of a very modest solar We are living on a small planet that is part of a very modest solar system, which, in turn, is located at the outer edge of the awesome Milky system, which, in turn, is located at the outer edge of the awesome Milky Way galaxy. If we were sufficiently distant from the Milky Way, it Way galaxy. If we were sufficiently distant from the Milky Way, it would be but another bright dot among countless other bright dots in would be but another bright dot among countless other bright dots in space, all of which could cause us to conclude comparatively, “that man space, all of which could cause us to conclude comparatively, “that man is nothing.” Yet we are rescued by reassuring realities such as that God is nothing.” Yet we are rescued by reassuring realities such as that God knows and loves each of us, personally and perfectly. Hence, there is knows and loves each of us, personally and perfectly. Hence, there is incredible intimacy in the vastness of it all. Are not the very hairs of incredible intimacy in the vastness of it all. Are not the very hairs of one’s head numbered? Is not the fall of each sparrow noticed? one’s head numbered? Is not the fall of each sparrow noticed? (Matthew 10:29-30). Has Jesus not borne, and therefore knows, our (Matthew 10:29-30). Has Jesus not borne, and therefore knows, our individual sins, sicknesses, and infirmities? (Alma 7:11-12). (Neal A. individual sins, sicknesses, and infirmities? (Alma 7:11-12). (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, We Will Prove Them HerewithWe Will Prove Them Herewith, 1-2)., 1-2).

Moses 1:34Moses 1:34

And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.

There are ten different Hebrew meanings for AdamThere are ten different Hebrew meanings for Adam::

1. Many, without number1. Many, without number2. Man2. Man3. Mankind3. Mankind4. Adam4. Adam5. Eve and Adam5. Eve and Adam6. Red6. Red7. Blood7. Blood8. Ground/ dust8. Ground/ dust9. I Corinthians 15:459. I Corinthians 15:4510.110.1stst Adam = 1 Adam = 1stst Adam Adam last Adam = Christlast Adam = Christ

Isaiah 63:1Isaiah 63:1 Edom in Hebrew Edom in Hebrew = Adam= Adam

Moses 1:35-38Moses 1:35-38 ““There are many There are many worldsworlds””

President Brigham Young said: President Brigham Young said:

““How many earths are there? I observed this morning that How many earths are there? I observed this morning that you may take the particles of matter composing this earth, you may take the particles of matter composing this earth, and if they could be enumerated they would only be a and if they could be enumerated they would only be a beginning to the number of the creations of God; and they beginning to the number of the creations of God; and they are continually coming into existence, and undergoing are continually coming into existence, and undergoing changes and passing through the same experience that we changes and passing through the same experience that we are passing through” (are passing through” (JDJD, 14:71)., 14:71).

Moses 1:35-39Moses 1:35-39 “Jesus Christ Redeemed All “Jesus Christ Redeemed All of of God’s Creations”God’s Creations”

Elder Marion G. Romney, then a member of the Quorum of the Elder Marion G. Romney, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:Twelve Apostles, taught:

““Jesus Christ, in the sense of being its Creator and Redeemer, is the Jesus Christ, in the sense of being its Creator and Redeemer, is the Lord of the whole universe. Except for his mortal ministry Lord of the whole universe. Except for his mortal ministry accomplished on this earth, his service and relationship to other accomplished on this earth, his service and relationship to other worlds and their inhabitants are the same as his service and worlds and their inhabitants are the same as his service and relationship to this earth and its inhabitants…relationship to this earth and its inhabitants…

“… “… In short, Jesus Christ, through whom God created the universe, In short, Jesus Christ, through whom God created the universe, was chosen to put into operation throughout the universe Elohim’s was chosen to put into operation throughout the universe Elohim’s great plan ‘the gospel of Jesus Christ --- the only way whereby man great plan ‘the gospel of Jesus Christ --- the only way whereby man can obtain eternal life” (“Jesus Christ: Lord of the Universe,” can obtain eternal life” (“Jesus Christ: Lord of the Universe,” Improvement EraImprovement Era, Nov. 1968, 46, 48)., Nov. 1968, 46, 48).

Moses 1:39Moses 1:39 ““The Unselfishness of GodThe Unselfishness of God””

After quoting Moses 1:39, President Marion G. After quoting Moses 1:39, President Marion G. Romney, who was a counselor in the First Romney, who was a counselor in the First Presidency, said: Presidency, said:

““Hence, we see the complete unselfishness of our Hence, we see the complete unselfishness of our Father in Heaven. His whole work and glory is to Father in Heaven. His whole work and glory is to bring eternal life and happiness to his children. bring eternal life and happiness to his children. Should not our whole purpose in this life, therefore, Should not our whole purpose in this life, therefore, be made up of righteous service one to anotherbe made up of righteous service one to another? ? If If not, how can we ever hope to be as he isnot, how can we ever hope to be as he is?” (C.R., ?” (C.R., Oct. 1981, 132).Oct. 1981, 132).

Elder John A. Widtsoe has written:Elder John A. Widtsoe has written:

In our preexistent state, in the day of the great council, In our preexistent state, in the day of the great council, we made a certain agreement with the Almighty. The we made a certain agreement with the Almighty. The Lord proposed a plan, conceived by him. We Lord proposed a plan, conceived by him. We accepted it. Since the plan is intended for all men, we accepted it. Since the plan is intended for all men, we become parties to the salvation of every person under become parties to the salvation of every person under that plan. We agreed, right then and there, to be not that plan. We agreed, right then and there, to be not only saviors for ourselves but measurably, saviors for only saviors for ourselves but measurably, saviors for the whole human family. the whole human family. We went into a partnership We went into a partnership with the Lordwith the Lord. . The working out of the plan became The working out of the plan became then not merely the Father’s work, and the Savior’s then not merely the Father’s work, and the Savior’s work, but also our workwork, but also our work. The least of us, the . The least of us, the humblest, is in partnership with the Almighty in humblest, is in partnership with the Almighty in achieving the purpose of the eternal plan of salvation.achieving the purpose of the eternal plan of salvation.

That places us in a very responsible That places us in a very responsible attitude towards the human race. By attitude towards the human race. By that doctrine, with the Lord at the that doctrine, with the Lord at the head, we become saviors on Mount head, we become saviors on Mount Zion, all committed to offering Zion, all committed to offering salvation to the untold numbers of salvation to the untold numbers of spirits. To do this is the Lord’s self-spirits. To do this is the Lord’s self-imposed duty, this labor his highest imposed duty, this labor his highest glory. Likewise, it is man’s duty, self glory. Likewise, it is man’s duty, self –imposed, his pleasure and joy, his –imposed, his pleasure and joy, his labor, and ultimately his glorylabor, and ultimately his glory(C.R., (C.R., Worth of SoulsWorth of Souls, 1934, 189)., 1934, 189).

What is Man’s Highest IdealWhat is Man’s Highest Ideal??

Under the gospel what is man’s highest ideal? Under the Under the gospel what is man’s highest ideal? Under the gospel it must be to become like the father. If the Lord’s gospel it must be to become like the father. If the Lord’s concern is chiefly to bring happiness and joy, salvation to concern is chiefly to bring happiness and joy, salvation to the whole human family, we cannot be like the father unless the whole human family, we cannot be like the father unless we too engage in that work. There is no chance for the we too engage in that work. There is no chance for the narrow, selfish introspective man in the kingdom of God. narrow, selfish introspective man in the kingdom of God. He may survive in the world of men; he may win fame, He may survive in the world of men; he may win fame, fortune, and power before men, but he will not stand high fortune, and power before men, but he will not stand high before the Lord unless he learns to do the works of God, before the Lord unless he learns to do the works of God, which always point toward the salvation of the whole which always point toward the salvation of the whole human family (“human family (“Church Service on Genealogical Church Service on Genealogical CommitteesCommittees,” 29).,” 29).