Moses is referenced a few times in the Doctrine and Covenants. We learn various things about him through these scriptures such as his ministry and the priesthood. Doctrine and Covenants 84 includes details of the Melchizedek priesthood.
One could also compare Moses and Joseph Smith. In 2 Nephi 3:9 it says “He shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you to deliver my people, O house of Israel.”
A comparison of these two prophets includes details of them both doubting their abilities at some point. It was said that Moses felt he wasn’t a qualified speaker. Also Joseph Smith had imperfections, and with his limited education had a difficult time. However both prophets experienced strength from their brothers, friends, and other leaders. They valued their counsel and realized the difficult task placed before them. Not only did they have support from other leaders, but most importantly had support from heavenly messengers.
Another similarity of Moses and Joseph Smith includes being called by God to be a Prophet, and had direct communication from God. Both spoke face-to-face with the Lord on multiple occasions. This is amazing to realize these men had the experience to talk with God.
Why is it important to compare these two figures in our Church? I came to the conclusion that while they both shared several similarities, there was a specific parallel between them: which was Zion. These two men were crucial to God’s work, because they both established Zion. They both shared God’s message from the following hymn
“ Israel, Israel, God is calling. Calling three from lands of woe. Babylon the great is falling; God shall all her tow’rs o’erthrow. Come to Zion, come to Zion. And within her walls rejoice. Come to Zion, come to Zion. Zion’s walls shall ring with praise.”
We can learn from this hymn that God and his prophets are always calling his children to a place which will ultimately, all will be well. Moses and Joseph Smith gathered their people and prepared them for Zion. Both groups of people traveled away for their safety, and also to worship more freely.
In D&C 84:4 it says “New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of saints.” I wanted to compare and bring in more meaning with this verse. We have been told that the righteous would be saved at the last day, and our preservation will be brought about by righteousness. Such righteous incidents include the restoration of the gospel, revelations, and the Book of Mormon. In Moses 7:62, it says “to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare… and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.“
Zion is described as “a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” (Doctrine and Covenant 115:6) As we have talked in class, Zion is most commonly known as a place and even a group of people. However we have also talked about how we can live to establish this in our homes and hearts in modern day. We can learn from Moses and Joseph Smith’s time of gathering to Zion, and take these principles and apply them to our lives.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “The gathering of Israel consists of receiving the truth, gaining again a true knowledge of the Redeemer, and coming back into the true fold of the Good Shepherd” Ensign May 1977.
It is great to compare Joseph Smith and Moses; to identify how they established Zion in their times. Most importantly, I thought it was great to compare that to my life, and take from their example to improve myself.
You've given me a lot to think about! I had heard some comparisons before, but now I'm thinking about more.
ReplyDeleteThey were both called in a face-to-face sort of way.
They both died before making it with the saints to their destinations.
I think it's great how God uses symbolism to teach us, even in the people he chooses to fulfill roles. Another example of this could be the fantastic symbolisms between Abraham and Jesus Christ. Perhaps were we to list each prophet, we could come up with one for each of them?
My roommate and I were just discussing how interesting it is that Moses is so often discussed in the Doctrine and Covenants. But looking at these comparisons it's easy to see his importance and how his life parallels that of Joseph's. He ushered in the restoration in his dispensation and he was the last prophet to do so before Christ's reign. As the last prophet to do so after Christ, Joseph would've had a lot to learn from Moses's story.
ReplyDeleteFrom scriptures we see that prophets have always known of other prophets, both in their own dispensation and in dispensations previous to their own. Another angle to look at Joseph Smith is Joseph trying to follow the example of prophets of old. I can only imagine how daunting the task must had appeared to Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God. Nephi undoubtedly felt this also, and used the example of Moses' life in 1st Nephi 4:2 when he said, "Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses." In this, Nephi was looking to Moses as an example, as an excellent leader. I wouldn't think it a stretch to imagine that Joseph would have thought similarly, that Moses was also a great leader and tried to model his service after Moses'.
ReplyDeleteMy dad compares Brigham Young to Moses a lot (because of leading the saints to the wilderness), so it was different for me to think about the comparisons with Joseph Smith. I think the linking between my dad's comparison and the comparison here is the building of Zion like you discussed. Perhaps Moses is one of the great examples of the work it takes to build Zion and we can all learn from his experience as we try to create Zion in our own lives.
ReplyDeleteAs I was writing this post, and researching Moses and Joseph Smith, I was surprised how many times Brigham Young was compared to Moses as well. I have only been in classes/ Sunday school lessons where Moses has been compared to Joseph Smith. It was neat to see how you can compare the significant leaders of this church. By doing so you can possibly see some of their success, and learn what it takes to become faithful, and closer to God. I tried to do this with this post, and gathered from them how to create my own Zion in my life. Thanks for your comment!
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