Moses 1, Abraham 3 - Prelude to the Old Testament
4Digest
This podcast delves into the profound teachings of the Old Testament, particularly the Book of Moses, with host Jared Halverson. It highlights creative approaches to scripture study, emphasizing the importance of finding principles and applications over mere historical details. A central theme is the concept of "divine contraries"—seemingly opposing truths that coexist, such as God's infinite and intimate nature, and humanity's dual nature of dust and divinity. The teachings explore how the adversary attempts to uncouple these contraries to lead individuals astray and how Moses, Jesus, and others overcome these tactics through faith, remembering divine identity, and relying on God's word. The podcast also touches upon the Book of Abraham, advocating for a focus on its spiritual content and principles over controversies surrounding its translation, ultimately aiming to foster an unshaken faith and a deeper understanding of God's plan.
Outlines
Introduction to "Unshaken" and Scripture Study
Jared Halverson introduces the "Unshaken" podcast, sharing his background and passion for helping listeners navigate faith crises. He discusses the podcast's origin during COVID-19 and its global growth, emphasizing the deep study of scriptures like the Doctrine and Covenants.
Engaging with the Old Testament
The Old Testament, though intimidating, is rich with stories and doctrines. Halverson advocates for creative approaches, like rewriting songs, to make it relatable and emphasizes finding principles for application.
Training Teachers and Finding Principles
Halverson shares his experience training seminary teachers, using humor to ease anxieties. He defines principles as "concentrated truths packaged for application" and stresses their importance in scripture study.
The Enduring Relevance of Scripture
Scripture's relevance extends beyond its original context. Halverson reflects on his academic journey, emphasizing how scripture helps navigate life, drawing parallels to biblical figures who found hope and endurance.
Understanding Doubt and Effective Teaching
Drawing on expertise in doubt and anti-religious rhetoric, Halverson aims to strengthen faith by understanding scriptural attacks. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrates effective teaching, meeting people where they are to help them find Jesus.
Bridging Expectations and Education in Study
High expectations for scripture study without proper education lead to frustration. Halverson stresses the need to learn effective study methods to bridge this gap and "preach Jesus" from any scripture.
The Book of Moses and Divine Revelation
Moses chapter 1 is presented as a divinely originated prelude to scripture, restored through the JST. The concept of "God's own bosom" signifies God's intimate love and communication.
Authorship, Human Elements, and Divine Inspiration
Skepticism regarding Mosaic authorship and the documentary hypothesis is addressed. Halverson proposes a balanced view, acknowledging human elements alongside divine inspiration, making scripture more glorious.
Moses Chapter 1: God's Work and Glory
Moses chapter 1 serves as a perspective-setter, revealing God's work and glory: to bring about the immortality and eternal life of man, emphasizing both duration and quality of life.
Aligning Work with Passion and Divine Delight
The distinction between "work" and "glory" is explored, encouraging listeners to prioritize passion. God glories in His children, finding joy in their growth and service.
Moses' Encounter with God's Glory
Moses' face-to-face encounter with God involved divine communication and infusion of glory, enabling him to endure God's presence. This highlights God's infinite and intimate nature.
The Balance of God's Infinite and Intimate Nature
God's nature is a balance of the infinite (transcendent) and intimate (immanent). Separating these contraries leads to extremes; Joseph Smith's restored gospel provides this balance.
Manifestations of God's Dual Nature
God's transcendence (omnipotence, omniscience) and immanence (omnibenevolence) are shown through various examples. Jesus embodies this divine contrary, balancing His divine and intimate relationships.
Moses' Revelation: Condescension and Ascent
Moses' experience reveals God's condescension and the need for Moses to ascend. God's glory enables endurance, showcasing the balance of divine attributes.
God's Identity: Almighty and Father
God introduces Himself as "Almighty" (infinite) and immediately follows with "thou art my son" (intimate), establishing the core contrary of His nature.
God's Endless Works and Intimate Portions
God's works and words are endless, yet He offers Moses a portion to engage with, reflecting His desire for participation in His plan.
Moses' Work: A Portion of God's Glory
Moses participates in a portion of God's glory through his assigned work, highlighting the intimate aspect of God's plan for His children.
Moses as Similitude and the Savior's Fullness
Moses is in the "similitude of mine only begotten," emphasizing intimacy. The Savior's fullness represents the infinite aspect, requiring continued growth.
Growing Towards God's Fullness
The study aims to establish the infinite side of our relationship with God, encouraging growth from grace to grace until receiving a fullness, reflecting God's desire for us to become like Him.
Moses' Vision: Ends of the World and Purpose
Moses beholds the world's "ends," encompassing its physical extent and ultimate purpose—bringing all home to God, reflecting the intimate goal behind infinite creation.
The Adversary's Tactics: Minimizing and Maximizing
Satan attacks by minimizing or maximizing, aiming to close down faith. He attempts to lower Moses' identity and elevate his own.
Moses' Response to Adversity and Identity
After God's presence withdraws, Moses feels his nothingness but counters Satan by remembering his divine identity as a "son of God."
Humanity's Contrary: Dust and Divinity
Humanity's contrary is "dust and divinity"—depravity alongside divine potential. This involves balancing humility with confidence and reliance on inspiration with agency.
The Adversary's Goal: Uncoupling Contraries
Satan seeks to uncouple contraries, pushing individuals to extremes to cause them to fall from the path.
The Slave's Reminder: Mortal and Divine Worth
A slave's reminder to a general ("remember you are mortal") mirrors the need to balance pride with humility, recognizing both divine potential and dust nature.
Two Pockets of Truth: Humility and Divine Worth
An analogy of two pockets—one reminding us we are "dust and ashes," the other that "for your sake, the world was created"—illustrates balancing humility with divine worth.
Overcoming the Adversary's Tactics
Moses overcomes Satan by remembering his divine identity and God's words. Satan's tactics include minimizing, maximizing, and denying his own existence.
Satan's Defeat and the Absence of Moses Chapter 1
Satan is cast out after multiple attempts. His defeat highlights his desire for invisibility, and Moses chapter 1's absence suggests adversary influence in obscuring his defeat.
Questioning Identity and Resisting Temptation
Satan attempts to make Jesus question His identity, mirroring tactics against Moses. Jesus counters by quoting scripture, emphasizing reliance on God's word over miracles.
Divine Affirmation and Spiritual Foundation
The baptism of Jesus serves as a divine affirmation of His identity, providing a foundation against Satan's temptations.
Countering Adversity with Spiritual Experience
The adversary quickly attacks spiritual experiences. Juxtaposing light and darkness helps Moses recognize and overcome deception.
The Principle of Juxtaposition for Discernment
Juxtaposition, placing two things side-by-side, reveals differences. Moses uses this to contrast God's fading glory with Satan's darkness.
Unshaken Faith Amidst Opposition
Jacob's encounter with Sherem illustrates unshaken faith despite miracles. The frequency of spiritual experiences is key to resisting doubt and deception.
Judging by Spiritual Feelings and Comparisons
Comparing feelings in sacred versus secular spaces, and in serving others versus self, helps discern truth. Juxtaposing light and darkness diminishes deception.
The Spirit's Enduring Presence and Hope
Even in sin, the Spirit strives for us, offering hope and a path back, even when we feel distant from God.
Divine Commandments and Worship
Moses remembers God's commandments to worship Him only, a principle Jesus uses to resist temptation, reinforcing identity and reliance on divine guidance.
Overcoming Deception Through God's Word
Moses commands Satan to depart, relying on God's affirmation. Treasuring God's word is crucial to avoiding deception.
Persistent Inquiry and Divine Conversation
Moses' commitment to continually inquire of God maintains divine conversation. Asking questions is a path to knowledge, not doubt.
The Adversary's Tool: Fear vs. Faith
Satan uses fear, particularly of God's infinitude or one's inadequacy, to attack. Faith leads to seeing heaven, while fear leads to seeing hell.
The Power of Christ's Name in Resistance
Moses commands Satan to depart "in the name of the only begotten," highlighting Christ's power to overcome the adversary.
Resisting Temptation Through Christ's Power
Overcoming the adversary involves faith in Christ, submitting to God's will, and trusting His preventative power. Persistence in resisting temptation, invoking Christ's name, is key.
Moses' Persistence Against the Adversary
Moses' persistence counters Satan's. The winner is the last one standing, as Satan lacks endurance and seeks quick victories.
Keys to Overcoming the Adversary
Overcoming the adversary involves using spiritual eyes, remembering God's words, juxtaposing light and darkness, staying in the Spirit, recognizing deception, and persistently resisting temptation.
Revelation and the Holy Ghost's Return
After overcoming Satan, Moses receives intensified revelation. The return of the Holy Ghost depends on actions during perceived absence, testing one's reliance on God.
Called to Chosen: Divine Selection and Testing
Moses is chosen by God, moving from being "called" to "chosen." This signifies deeper divine selection, accessible through righteousness and passing spiritual tests.
Promises of Strength and Deliverance
Moses receives promises of strength and divine presence, empowering him to deliver his people and foreshadowing his future role.
Spiritual Sight and Divine Discernment
Moses discerns all inhabitants and lands by the Spirit of God, demonstrating spiritual sight beyond natural eyes for comprehensive understanding.
Understanding Creation: Why and How
Moses questions the "why" and "how" of creation. God responds by emphasizing trust in His wisdom and purpose, rather than detailed explanations of process.
God's Purpose: Immortality and Eternal Life
God reveals His purpose in creation is to bring about immortality and eternal life for His children, inviting them to become like Him.
Christ as the Creator and Word of Power
God created all things through the power of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who is full of grace and truth, highlighting Christ's role in creation.
Divine Answers: Trusting Wisdom and Purpose
God answers Moses' questions partially, emphasizing trust in His wisdom and purpose (immortality and eternal life) and Christ's role in creation.
Relational Approach to Understanding God
God explains creation through a relational "who" rather than a procedural "how." Trusting the Teacher (God) is paramount for understanding His divine plan.
Science for Process, Faith for Purpose
Science answers questions of process and method, while faith addresses purpose and meaning. Both are essential for a complete understanding of God's creations.
The "Who" and "Why" of Creation
The focus of creation is on the "who" (God) and the "why" (to bring us home and exalt us), not the "how." Understanding this relationship is key to navigating life and eternity.
God's Infinite Track Record and Purpose
God's infinite creations and His purpose to bring about immortality and eternal life demonstrate His track record. All creation shares the same purpose and ultimate "who."
Focusing on Earthly Experience for Navigation
God provides an account of this earth and its inhabitants to help Moses (and us) focus on navigating mortality, essential before understanding deeper mysteries.
The Infinite and Intimate God in Our Lives
Moses experiences both the infinite and intimate aspects of God. Understanding this balance is crucial for navigating our own dual nature of dust and divinity.
Abraham's Parallel Revelation and Faith Trials
Abraham's experience in chapter 3 parallels Moses', offering deeper understanding of God and His plan after passing faith trials.
Abraham's Face-to-Face Encounter and Relational Communication
Abraham speaks with God face-to-face, seeing His creations, mirroring Moses' experience and emphasizing the relational aspect of divine communication.
Abraham's Panoramic Vision and Promises
Abraham receives a panoramic vision, including an astronomy lesson, focusing on posterity and God's promises, similar to Moses' experience.
Abraham 3: Astronomy, Theology, and Spirits
Abraham chapter 3 presents an astronomy lesson transitioning into theology, revealing humanity's place in God's cosmic plan and the significance of spirits.
Kolob, Spirits' Hierarchy, and Christ's Centrality
The astronomy lesson centers on Kolob, paralleled with spirits, revealing a hierarchy where Christ is the most central and intelligent.
Charting Premortal Existence and Noble Spirits
Abraham 3 charts premortal existence, comparing stars near God's throne to noble and great spirits chosen to be rulers.
An Earlier Beginning: Premortal Life and Jesus
Abraham 3, like Moses and John, begins with an "earlier beginning," focusing on premortal life and Jesus as the Word before His mortal birth.
The Plan of Happiness and Progress
Abraham 3 outlines the parameters of the plan of happiness, emphasizing progress from loving parents to achieve immortality and eternal life.
The War in Heaven: Choosing the Savior
The choice of the Savior was pivotal, with Christ volunteering first, contrasting with Satan's alternative plan lacking self-sacrifice and eternal life.
Gravitational Pull of Divinity and Influence
The concept of gravitational pull illustrates Christ's and Heavenly Parents' immense influence, drawing all creation closer to them.
Time, Orbits, and Divine Knowledge
The vastness of God's time and knowledge is explored through orbits. A day for God equals a thousand years for man, highlighting exponential understanding.
The Infinite and Intimate God's Presence
God is both infinite, ruling the heavens and earth, and intimate, coming down to speak and dwell among His creations.
Laws for Advancement and Spiritual Growth
God institutes laws for the advancement of spirits, enabling growth and progress from grace to grace towards a fullness.
The Council in Heaven and Earth's Creation
In the Council in Heaven, God proposes creating an earth for spirits to dwell and be proven, setting the stage for creation accounts.
The Drama of the Savior's Selection
The selection of the Savior was dramatic, with Christ's worthiness to open seals preventing despair in heaven.
Christ: The Lion and the Lamb Duality
Christ is presented as both the fierce Lion and the submissive Lamb. This duality proves God's contraries and invites us to prove our own.
Controversies and Approaches to the Book of Abraham
The Book of Abraham faces controversies regarding its translation. Different approaches exist, viewing papyri as separate parts or catalysts for revelation.
Revelation as Translation: Changing People
Joseph Smith's "translations" are understood as revelation, involving changing people and connecting heaven and earth, not just linguistic transfer.
Premortality: A Mind-Blowing Doctrine
The doctrine of premortality collapses the distance between humanity and divinity, making us more like God and providing a framework for understanding our place.
Abraham 3: Understanding Our Place in God's Plan
Abraham chapter 3 provides a framework for understanding our place in the universe and God's plan, emphasizing premortality and the "noble and great ones."
Facsimile 2 and Distractions from Core Message
The placement of Facsimile 2 in the Pearl of Great Price often distracts readers with its Egyptian hieroglyphics, diverting attention from the core message about premortality.
Book of Abraham Controversy vs. Content Value
Focusing on controversies surrounding the Book of Abraham's papyri distracts from its profound content. The true worth lies in its teachings, not the physical artifacts.
Seer's Translation vs. Scholar's Translation Value
A seer's translation offers spiritual guidance for life and the afterlife, valued over a scholar's translation for its practical spiritual worth.
The Book of Abraham's Content and Insights
Despite debates about its provenance, the Book of Abraham offers valuable insights into Abraham's background, covenants, astronomy, creation, and humanity's connection to God.
Spiritual Sight and Eternal Perspective
The importance of spiritual eyes over natural ones is stressed, advocating for God's perspective on eternity as provided by prophets, concluding with a testimony of God's love.
Keywords
Scripture Study
The practice of reading, analyzing, and applying religious texts to gain understanding, spiritual insight, and guidance for life.
Faith Crisis
A period of doubt or questioning regarding religious beliefs, often navigated by seeking answers and strengthening one's spiritual foundation.
Old Testament
The first major section of the Christian Bible, containing historical accounts, laws, and prophecies of the ancient Israelites.
Joseph Smith Translation (JST)
A revision of the Bible by Joseph Smith aimed at restoring lost truths and clarifying passages, providing deeper insights into doctrine.
Divine Contrary
The concept of seemingly opposing truths that coexist and are essential for a complete understanding, revealing a more nuanced divine reality.
Proving Contraries
The principle of balancing opposing truths to gain a fuller understanding, such as divinity and humanity, or infinity and intimacy.
Adversary
The spiritual opponent of God and humanity, often referred to as Satan, who seeks to thwart God's plan through deception and opposition.
Christ's divinity
The belief that Jesus Christ is divine, the Son of God, possessing divine attributes and authority, central to Christian theology.
Spiritual experience
A personal encounter with the divine or heightened spiritual awareness that strengthens faith and provides guidance.
Juxtaposition
Placing two elements side-by-side to highlight differences, used in a spiritual context to contrast light and darkness, truth and deception.
Q&A
What is the main goal of the "Unshaken" podcast and Jared Halverson's teaching?
The main goal is to help people build an unshaken faith despite challenges and doubts, making scripture study engaging and relevant for navigating life.
How does Jared Halverson approach teaching the Old Testament, given its perceived difficulty?
He uses creative methods like rewriting pop songs and emphasizes finding principles and applications rather than focusing on trivia.
What does Jared Halverson mean by "God's own bosom" in relation to the Joseph Smith Translation?
"God's own bosom" signifies the scriptures as God has them in His heart—a source of divine love and truth, restored through the JST.
How does Jared Halverson explain the concept of "proving contraries" in relation to God's nature?
He explains that God is both infinite (transcendent) and intimate (immanent). Balancing these attributes is crucial for understanding God's character.
What is the adversary's primary strategy when confronting individuals?
The adversary uses contraries by minimizing or maximizing situations, aiming to uncouple truths and push individuals to extremes.
How does Moses overcome Satan's temptations in Moses chapter 1?
Moses overcomes Satan by remembering his divine identity as a "son of God" and recalling God's teachings, firmly holding onto revealed truths.
How does Satan attempt to undermine faith, and how can one resist?
Satan tries to make individuals question their identity. Resistance involves remembering God's word, relying on spiritual experiences, and invoking Christ's name.
What is the significance of spiritual experiences in overcoming adversity?
Spiritual experiences serve as a foundation of faith. Remembering and cherishing them helps maintain spiritual strength and recognize deception.
How does the principle of juxtaposition aid in discerning truth from deception?
Juxtaposition allows for a clearer comparison between opposing elements, like light and darkness, making the deceptive nature of darkness more apparent.
What role does persistence play in overcoming the adversary?
Persistence is crucial. Individuals must continually resist temptation, as the adversary lacks endurance and seeks quick victories.
How does Christ's role as the Creator relate to His role as Savior?
Christ, as the Word of God's power through whom all things were created, is intrinsically linked to His atoning sacrifice, enabling the plan of salvation.
What is the difference between immortality and eternal life?
Immortality is living forever, while eternal life is living with God and becoming like Him, achieved through Christ's Atonement and personal transformation.
How does the concept of "translation" apply in a scriptural context beyond language?
Scriptural "translation" can mean conveying to heaven, being changed, or transferring spiritual essence, signifying profound transformation.
What is the significance of premortality in understanding our divine potential?
The doctrine of premortality reveals our divine potential and collapses the perceived distance between humanity and divinity, encouraging growth towards becoming like God.
Why is the placement of Facsimile 2 in the Pearl of Great Price considered problematic?
Its placement often distracts readers with intricate hieroglyphics, diverting attention from the core message about premortality.
How does the speaker differentiate between a scholar's translation and a seer's translation of the Book of Abraham?
A seer's translation offers spiritual insights and principles for life, valued over a scholar's translation for its practical spiritual worth.
What is the main argument presented regarding the controversy surrounding the Book of Abraham?
Focusing on controversies distracts from the Book of Abraham's profound content. Its true worth lies in its teachings about God, creation, and covenants.
What does the concept of "spiritual eyes" imply in the context of the Book of Abraham?
"Spiritual eyes" refers to understanding divine truths through faith and spiritual perception, offering a clearer view of eternity than natural understanding.
Show Notes
When Moses stood on a "high mountain" and saw God face-to-face, his first realization was shocking: "Man is nothing." But God didn't leave him there. He revealed a truth that changes everything about how you see yourself and your purpose in this life.
Summary: In this episode, we explore the profound "prefaces" to the Bible found in Moses 1 and Abraham 3. We dive into the deep doctrine of our divine identity and the Plan of Salvation.
Moses 1: Identity and Discernment. We analyze Moses' encounter with God and his subsequent battle with Satan. We learn how knowing we are sons and daughters of God gives us the power to discern and dismiss the "son of the morning." Moses discovers that even though he is nothing compared to God, he is everything to God—because God's entire "work and glory" is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.
Abraham 3: The View from Above. We look with Abraham to see the "intelligences" organized before the world was. We explore the concept of "One above another" and the "Great and Noble Ones" who were chosen to lead.
The Pre-mortal Council: We recount the moment we all shouted for joy: the decision to follow Jesus Christ and come to earth to be "proved" to see if we would do all things the Lord commanded us.
Call-to-Action: Do you ever feel like "nothing" in the vastness of the universe? How does knowing you are a child of God change your perspective today? Share your thoughts in the comments! If this message helped you feel your divine worth, please like, subscribe, and share this video to help others stay "Unshaken."
Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
4:55 Learning to Love the Old Testament
17:46 Finding Christ in the Old Testament
24:16 Mosaic Authorship and the Joseph Smith Translation
35:06 God's Work and Glory
45:19 God's Contraries: The Infinite and the Intimate
1:01:48 Human Contraries: Dust and Divinity
1:11:07 Identity Crisis
1:19:19 Overcoming the Adversary
1:46:45 The Why, How, and Who of Creation
2:06:11 Stars, Spirits, and the Premortal Council
2:32:18 Book of Abraham Controversy
Table of contents
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