Leviticus 14 - 18

In our day, to be politically correct, the world teaches tolerance and patience for all beliefs and related actions whether morally correct or not. For those of the priesthood who have been called after the "Order of the Son of God", we have been instructed that -

"...No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:41 - 42)

"...giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (New Testament 2 Peter 1:5 - 7)

And our decisions -

"...are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:30)

But in the exercising of all these virtues, the scriptures are clear and very specific that -

"...the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." (Book of Mormon Alma 45:16)

In my mind this means that we love the transgressor not the sin. We cannot tolerate or accept the sin. This concept becomes clear in the Law of Moses. First the Lord commands -

"Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Old Testament Exodus 20:14)

But like our children, the world pushes to see the line or the limits. What this commandment means is that sexual relations or reserved for marriage, period. Some may brush off sexual relations with the question - "it depends of what your definition of sexual relations means". I believe it is any action that that tends crosses the line of love and compassion to sexual stimilus. I believe the children of Israel needed more rules and guidelines so the Lord told them -

"None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness..." (Old Testament Leviticus 18:6)

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (Old Testament Leviticus 18:22)

"Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith..." (Old Testament Leviticus 18:23)

"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations..." (Old Testament Leviticus 18:26)

"For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people." (Old Testament Leviticus 18:29)

These commandments are still commandments today as given anciently. Let me so state again -

"...I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;
32 Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:31 - 32)

Leviticus 7 - 13

The law of Moses was given as a means to an end. Notwithstanding the great signs and miracles given by the Lord, it was very difficult to get "Egypt", the idols and traditions of the Egyptians out of the hearts of the children of Israel. We can see this in the making of the golden calf. Again, a testament that miracles and signs seem to provide no conversion. For it is -

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign..." (New Testament Matthew 16:4)

It appears that after all was done to sanctify the people in the wilderness, the Lord seemed to resort back to the basics with the children of Israel in teaching obedience and commandments to prepare them to receive the Spirit and bring them to Christ. It is obvious that the children of Israel had become spiritually weak an immature.

Much of the law was in regards to sacrifice this being -

"...the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal." (Book of Mormon Alma 34:14)

But the law also included issues of health and related procedures. This is much different in modern day as the Lord revealed the Word of Wisdom being -

"A WORD OF WISDOM, for the benefit of ...the church, and also the saints in Zion—
2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89:1 - 3)

I see this revelation as one that was not much different as that in the law of Moses. The Lord's intent was to take the weakest of saints, and through obedience, develop sufficient faith and spiritual strength to prepare them for greater things, such that -

"... you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 2:9)

Wherefore the Law of Moses -

"...was [their] schoolmaster to bring [them] unto Christ, that [they] might be justified by faith." (New Testament Galatians 3:24)

As we begin to understand the patience and love of God, we -

"...come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life... this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 4:6 - 7)

Leviticus 1 - 6

As Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, the Lord -

"...gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 5:5)

"And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 5:6 - 8)


During the exodus of the children of Israel, Aaron and his sons were givin the calling to administer the sacred rites of sacrifices and oblations at the tabernacle. To minister in this work Moses was instructed -

"...thou shalt anoint them... that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations." (Old Testament Exodus 40:15)

Not only were they to be ordained to the office of a Priest, but they were to be remain worthy, clean, and pure for as instructed by the Lord -

"..Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.
8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
9 And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.
10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them." (Old Testament Leviticus 8:6 - 10)

And during this work, the Lord gave specific instructions for varying offerings including burnt, meat, peace, sin, trespass offerings and how they were to be done. This was a serious and sacred matter to the Lord for when -

"...Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." (Old Testament Leviticus 10:1 - 2)

After his death the Savior said to the children of Israel in the Americas-

"...ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:19 - 20)

This sacrifice also being of a serious and sacred nature for -

"...whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:20)

In modern day we are instructed that -

"It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus; and the...priest shall administer it..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:75 - 76)

I believe the administration of the sacrament by the priests should be much the same as in ancient days where the priest should be anointed or ordained with in the Aaronic Priesthood, washed clean - both physically and spiritually, wearing the appropriate atire, and sanctified by the Spirit worthy to minister in the symbolic flesh and blood of the Savior.

Exodus 35 - 40

Throughout Exodus, the Lord gives specific instructions of those who are to administer -

"...In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel." (Old Testament Exodus 27:21)

The Lord gives instructions on how they were to perform sacrifices and how they were to dress. But the most important instruction from the Lord to Moses with -

"...thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him..." (Old Testament Exodus 40:12 - 13)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "anoint" as -

"...to apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration..."

Sanctify is defined by the same as -

"...to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use - consecrate; to free from sin - purify; to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to..."

All this for the purpose -

"...that he may minister unto me in the priest's office..." (Old Testament Exodus 40:13)

And to Aaron's sons -

"...thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations." (Old Testament Exodus 40:15)

It becomes apparent that those who minister in sacred things do not do so of their volition, for -

"...no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (New Testament Hebrews 5:4)

And those called should be washed clean, anointed, and sanctified to minister in such sacred things for when -

"...a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." (Old Testament Exodus 40:34)

For the Lord has declared in modern day -

"I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 110:8)

Exodus 30 - 34

We know that -

"...God spake all these words... (ten commandments)" (Old Testament Exodus 20:1)

to the people -

"...and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:21)

And -

"...Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do." (Old Testament Exodus 24:3)

And then -

"...Moses wrote all the words of the LORD..." (Old Testament Exodus 24:4)

Of which

"...he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient." (Old Testament Exodus 24:7)

And when Moses was on the mount for forty days and nights, the Lord -

gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God..." (Old Testament Exodus 31:18)

It was these stones tablets that Moses -

"...as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount." (Old Testament Exodus 32:19)

A short time later -

"...the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest." (Old Testament Exodus 34:1)

Much later Moses tells the people -

AT that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount,...I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark." (Old Testament Deuteronomy 10:1 - 2)

It appears the same words were on each writing, but we learn in modern revelation -

"...the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone, like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words of the law, according as they were written at the first on the tables which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood out of their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my presence shall not go up in their midst, lest I destroy them.
2. But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment..." (JST Exodus 34:1 - 2)

The Prophet also added the following which was lost -

"And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, save the words of the everlasting covenant of the holy priesthood, and thou shalt put them in the ark." (JST Deuteronomy 10:2)

I have wondered what the actual words were. I wonder if the words were something like this -

"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me...therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:33 - 38)

"And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:39)

Exodus 19 - 29

As Moses returned from the mount, he spake to the people telling them that -

"...God spake all these words, saying..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:1)

1) "Thou shalt have no other gods before me..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:3)

2) "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:4)

3) "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:7)

4) "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Old Testament Exodus 20:8)

5) "Honour thy father and thy mother..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:12)

6) "Thou shalt not kill." (Old Testament Exodus 20:13)

7) "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Old Testament Exodus 20:14)

8) "Thou shalt not steal." (Old Testament Exodus 20:15)

9) "Thou shalt not bear false witness..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:16)

10 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour..." (Old Testament Exodus 20:17)

It becomes apparent that these commandments were not just for the children of Israel in their time, but for all generations. Abinadi said to King Noah and his priests -

"...I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 12:33)

"...I perceive that they are not written in your hearts..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 13:11)

Speaking of these commandments, the Savior says -

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (New Testament Matthew 5:19)

In modern day the Lord has said -

"Again I say unto you, hearken and hear and obey the law which I shall give unto you." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 42:2)

Where he continues to re-give the ten commandments. Knowing the importance of keeping these commandments, Abinadi reminds us -

"...I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 13:27 - 28)

Exodus 17 - 18

It is in these two chapters that we learn a great deal about priesthood leadership and organization. As the children of Israel are camped at the mount of God, Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, brings Zipporah and Moses's sons to the camp to visit with Moses. It was on this occasion that Jethro observes -

"...that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening." (Old Testament Exodus 18:13)

As Jethro sees this he approaches Moses asking -

"...What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?" (Old Testament Exodus 18:14)

To which Moses responds -

"...Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws." (Old Testament Exodus 18:15 - 16)

Probably shaking his head, Jethro tells Moses -

"...The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone." (Old Testament Exodus 18:17 - 18)

And then Jethro provides this wise counsel -

"Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee." (Old Testament Exodus 18:19 - 22)

But Jethro provides even wiser counsel when he followed -

"...If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure..." (Old Testament Exodus 18:23)

No matter what we do, we should do the will of the Lord -

"...So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves." (Old Testament Exodus 18:24 - 26)

This how the Church and the priesthood works. Ruler of thousands would be compared to stake presidents and rulers of hundreds to bishops of wards. I think we learn a great deal here about Moses's character and humility. This could have been a major pride or ego issue for a man that just lead 600,000 out of Egypt. But Moses does not appear in the least to be caught up to himself. But even as reponsibilities are delagated to priesthood rulers, the also need counselors or assistants to fufill their duties. As Moses commanded Joshua to lead the people against Amalek -

"...Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill." (Old Testament Exodus 17:10)

And -

"...when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." (Old Testament Exodus 17:11)

For anyone to hold up their hands for an extended period can be very difficult and -

"...Moses' hands were heavy..." (Old Testament Exodus 17:12)

But not necessarily with help with priesthood counselors or assistants for with the help of Aaron and Hur -

"...they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." (Old Testament Exodus 17:12)

I think this can be a great lesson to those who are called as counselors and assitants.

Exodus 13 - 16

Moroni said -

"...I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith..." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:6)

"...For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them..." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:12)

Even though Moses writes of those amongst the children of Israel that murmured, there must have been those that continued in great faith for we witness a myriad of miracles amongst them such as -

"...the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Old Testament Exodus 13:21 - 22)

"...Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left." (Old Testament Exodus 14:21 - 22)

"And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them." (Old Testament Exodus 14:27 - 28)

"And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses." (Old Testament Exodus 14:31)

And even as the people murmured in the wilderness -

"...the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God." (Old Testament Exodus 16:11 - 12)

"And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp..." (Old Testament Exodus 16:13)

"...and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.
15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat." (Old Testament Exodus 16:13 - 15)

Moroni continued that even -

"...by faith was the law of Moses given." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:11)

But notwithstanding miracles or signs -

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:4)

"Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:9)

Exodus 7 - 12

Jacob taught his people that Jehovah -

"...shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem...for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:5)

"O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:10)

"Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:7)

This is the doctrine the I believe the Lord conveyed to the children of Israel. I personally believe this doctrine was plainly taught and understood as the law of the passover was introduced. As is written with the passover -

"In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof." (Old Testament Exodus 12:46)

John wrote of the cruxificion of the Savior -

"For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken" (New Testament John 19:36)

It is interesting that John follows with -

"And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced." (New Testament John 19:37)

I can't seem to find a reference to that verse. I am convinced as I read the Old Testament that there was once more truths and doctrines of the gospel and the atonement that were included, but now only the story is left, where, as Nephi wrote, men have -

"...taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 13:26)

Exodus 1 - 6

The Lord tells Moses from the burning bush that -

"...I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey..." (Old Testament Exodus 3:8)

And to accomplish that the Lord tells Moses -

"...I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt...." (Old Testament Exodus 3:10)

Nephi probably would have said, "Yes Sir" -

"....I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7)

But Moses wasn't quite at that level yet and replies (to which I can relate) -

"...Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Old Testament Exodus 3:11)

With tenderness and love, the Lord replies -

"...Certainly I will be with thee..." (Old Testament Exodus 3:12)

And then the Lord tells him -

"...this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee..." (Old Testament Exodus 3:12)

First he gives Moses one of his names saying -

"...thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you...Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever..." (Old Testament Exodus 3:14 - 15)

And then he provides Moses with three tokens or signs -

"...And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand..." (Old Testament Exodus 4:2 - 4)

"...And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh." (Old Testament Exodus 4:6 - 7)

And if the people did not believe these two tokens -

"...thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land..." (Old Testament Exodus 4:9)

And then after all this, Moses tends to push it a little bit to far -

"And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." (Old Testament Exodus 4:10)

You can sense the frustration of the Lord as he replies -

"...Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Old Testament Exodus 4:11 - 12)

Compare this conversation with that of Nephi to his brothers after the Lord had commanded him to build a ship -

"...If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
51 And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?" (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:50 - 51)

President Monson said -

"...Now, some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies..." (Thomas S. Monson, “Duty Calls,” Ensign, May 1996)

Genesis 46 - 50

Mormon wrote -

"O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:4 - 6)

Joseph was a great example of one that did give ear to the Lord's counsel and walk in wisdoms path.

I'm not much of an historian, but I understand at one period of time, the Pharoah and Egypt may have been the greatest of nations. I wonder if the development of their greatness may have been the direct results of Joseph's willing to follow the counsel of the Lord. Joseph interpreted Pharoah's dreams that -

"Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land..." (Old Testament Genesis 41:29 - 30)

"...for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." (Old Testament Genesis 41:32)

Following the inspiration of the Lord, Joseph counsels Pharoah -

"let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine." (Old Testament Genesis 41:33 - 36)

And Pharoah followed the counsel of the Lord and -

"...Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" (Old Testament Genesis 41:38)

And Pharoah chose Joseph saying -

"...Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art..." (Old Testament Genesis 41:39)

Pharoah recognized the blessings of following the counsel of the Lord for after the seven years of plentiful, the seven years of famine began and -

"...there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine." (Old Testament Genesis 47:13)

And having thus prepared -

"...Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house." (Old Testament Genesis 47:14)

"And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year." (Old Testament Genesis 47:15 - 17)

And then after that year the people pleaded -

"...We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die..." (Old Testament Genesis 47:18 - 19)

So what did Joseph do for Pharoah -

"Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's." (Old Testament Genesis 47:20)

And to the people Joseph informs them -

"...I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part..." (Old Testament Genesis 47:23 - 26)

I believe the people had been aware of the Lord's counsel to prepare for the seven years of famine but they did -

"...set at naught his counsels, and they [would] not that he should be their guide." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:6)

But Pharaoh who opted to walk in wisdom's path, he was blessed beyond measure.

Genesis 35 - 45

To the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said -

"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:7 - 8)

Righteousness and obedience does not exempt anyone for trials, adversity, and afflictions. It is how we deal we deal with this adversity, that is with faith, attitude, and perspective will determine if we "endure it well".

At no fault to Joseph -

"...Israel loved Joseph more than all his children...And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him..." (Old Testament Genesis 37:3 - 4)

So his brothers -

"...sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt." (Old Testament Genesis 37:28)

"...And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard." (Old Testament Genesis 37:36)

With this great deal of adversity, what did Joseph do?

Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand...[and] the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake..." (Old Testament Genesis 39:4 - 5)

And -

"...he left all that he had in Joseph's hand...And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured." (Old Testament Genesis 39:6)

But adversity didn't end there. Joseph became the lust of Potiphar's wife and when he would not lie with her, she fabricated a lie that Joseph -

"...came in unto me to mock me.,," (Old Testament Genesis 39:17)

Having been wrongfully charged -

"...Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison..." (Old Testament Genesis 39:20)

He was in prison for several years until Pharoah learned that Joseph could interpret his dream so -

"Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh." (Old Testament Genesis 41:14)

Upon interpreting the Pharoah's dream of seven plentiful years and then seven years of famine -

"Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." (Old Testament Genesis 41:39 - 41)

With all this adversity, much of it caused by injustice, hatred, and deceit, you might think that Joseph would hold a grudge or hosility towards his brothers and others. But as Joseph is again reunited with his brothers who sold him to slavery, he tells them -

"...I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." (Old Testament Genesis 45:4 - 7)

Isn't Joseph a great example of faith, attitude, and perspective. I see Joseph as one who "endured it well" and one exalted.

Genesis 30 - 34

In latter-day revelation, the Lord said -

"...Jacob did none other thing than that which [he was] commanded..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:37)

I see Jacob as a man of integrity and doing what is fair and just. Jacob offered to Laban -

"...I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter." (Old Testament Genesis 29:18)

And Laban agreed saying -

"...It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man..." (Old Testament Genesis 29:19)

"And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her." (Old Testament Genesis 29:20)

And upon meeting his obligation -

"...Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her..." (Old Testament Genesis 29:21)

Laban being in control did not honor his commitment deceitfully -

"...took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her." (Old Testament Genesis 29:23)

And then Laban pulls this trick if Jacob wanted to marry Rachel -

"...thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years." (Old Testament Genesis 29:27)

Jacob meets his commitment again and this time Laban -

"gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also." (Old Testament Genesis 29:28)

I'm sure Jacob more than understands he wasn't treated fairly. A short time later he tells Laban -

"...Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee." (Old Testament Genesis 30:25 - 26)

And Laban pleads that he stay acknowledging -

"...for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake." (Old Testament Genesis 30:27)

I think Jacob strategizes some way to get even because his father-in-law had deceptively -

"...changed my wages ten times..." (Old Testament Genesis 31:7)

It is then Jacob makes this deal -

"...I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire." (Old Testament Genesis 30:32)

Laban must have agreed. Jacob seemed to know what he was doing in that he was able to cause these conditions through breeding the -

"...flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle." (Old Testament Genesis 30:39 - 40)

And he arranged this method of breeding such that -

"...the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses." (Old Testament Genesis 30:42 - 43)

I think by a cunning agreement he was able to achieve some sort of justice. Even later when Laban figured out what was going on and confronts Jacob -

"...Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?" (Old Testament Genesis 31:36)

"Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times." (Old Testament Genesis 31:41)

And they worked out their disagreement and Laban suggested -

"...come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou..." (Old Testament Genesis 31:44)

And -

"...in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place." (Old Testament Genesis 31:55)

Genesis 26 - 29

The Lord has stated -

"...I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men.
23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:22 - 23)

And -

"...those who have thus been tithed shall pay one–tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 119:4)

I doubt many would argue that Genesis is very brief on much that transpired during the lives of the great patriarchs, but with just single sentences we learn that many gospel principles were taught from the beginning. One of those being the law of tithing. We read that -

"Melchizedek king of Salem...was the priest of the most high God." (Old Testament Genesis 14:18)

And to Melchizedek, Abraham

"...gave him tithes of all." (Old Testament Genesis 14:20)

It becomes apparent that Jacob had been taught this law for he promised the Lord -

"...of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." (Old Testament Genesis 28:22)

Tithes are mentioned multiple times in the law of Moses. But it is the Savior's words given to the Nephites, which are the same he revealed to Malachi that emphasizes its greatest meaning -

"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 24:7 - 8)

To those who choose not to pay thing -

"Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 24:9)

Of those who are obedient to this law -

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 24:10 - 12)

Genesis 23 - 25

The Savior said -

"...I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me..." (New Testament John 5:30)

And of us -

"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (New Testament John 12:26)

I was impressed with the servant of Abraham, for as -

"...Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh..." (Old Testament Genesis 24:2)

"And...swear by the LORD...thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac." (Old Testament Genesis 24:3 - 4)

"And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter." (Old Testament Genesis 24:9)

"And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia..." (Old Testament Genesis 24:10)

And when he arrived, he faithfully prayed -

"...O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water..." (Old Testament Genesis 24:12 - 13)

And in his prayer he asked for guidance as he prayed -

"...let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master..." (Old Testament Genesis 24:14)

And sure enough -

"...before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out...and the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up." (Old Testament Genesis 24:15 - 16)

In great faith, I'm sure hoping that this was the answer to he prayer -

"...the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink." (Old Testament Genesis 24:17 - 18)

And then without being asked -

"...when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels." (Old Testament Genesis 24:19 - 20)

And probably with some excitement, the servant -

"...wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not." (Old Testament Genesis 24:21)

And upon learning who she really was, Abraham's servant -

"...bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren." (Old Testament Genesis 24:26 - 27)

She takes the servant to her home where the servant explains everything including his spiritual experience at the well where her family recommends -

"...take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken." (Old Testament Genesis 24:51)

And

"...when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth." (Old Testament Genesis 24:52)

The servant is a great example of showing gratitude. But the family requested -

"...Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go..." (Old Testament Genesis 24:55)

Probably sensing his allegiance and obligation to his master, the servant replies

"Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master." (Old Testament Genesis 24:56)

The family then suggests -

"We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man?" (Old Testament Genesis 24:57 - 58)

And also in great faith, Rebekah answers -

"...I will go." (Old Testament Genesis 24:58)

And with the Spirit of Prophecy -

"...they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." (Old Testament Genesis 24:60)

"...and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way." (Old Testament Genesis 24:61)

As servants the Savior asked his twelve disciples -

"...what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 27:27)

Genesis 16 - 22

Speaking of the purpose of our earthly existance, the Lord said -

"...we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them..." (Pearl of Great Price Abraham 3:25)

To do whatsovever is commanded requires faith and obedience. Abraham is a great example of this. The Lord commanded Abraham -

"...This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." (Old Testament Genesis 17:10 - 11)

And this included -

"...he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed..." (Old Testament Genesis 17:12)

I wonder how many men would have questioned this new and strange commandment, but immediately -

"...Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him..." (Old Testament Genesis 17:23)

"...And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised..." (Old Testament Genesis 17:24)

I think the greatest test of faith and obedience came as -

"...God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham...Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Old Testament Genesis 22:1 - 2)

I wonder how many men would have thrown up their hands and said "That's It - no more!". But again in great faith and obedience -

"Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him." (Old Testament Genesis 22:3)

"And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together." (Old Testament Genesis 22:6)

I can't imagine the emotional pain and torture that Abraham felt as -

"...Isaac spake...Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"

To which Abraham responded -

"...My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering..." (Old Testament Genesis 22:7 - 8)

And as -

"...they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." (Old Testament Genesis 22:9 - 10)

Abraham was tested and proved. The Lord knew his heart.

"And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son." (Old Testament Genesis 22:11 - 13)

What great joy and relief Abraham must have felt. In the which the Lord said -

"...because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Old Testament Genesis 22:16 - 18)

"...for without faith no man pleaseth God..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 63:11)

Samuel said -

"...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (Old Testament 1 Samuel 15:22)

Genesis 11 - 15

As we are first introduced unto Abram or Abraham, the Lord said to him -

"...Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Old Testament Genesis 12:1 - 3)

The old testament doesn't tell us much about Abraham living in Ur of the Chaldees, but one must assume that if the the Lord is was speaking to Abraham and promising great blessings, you would have to assume that Abraham had lived a life of obedience and sacrifice as Noah, Enoch, and many of the great patriarchs. By modern revelation, we learn the true character and desires of Abraham as he lived in Ur of the Chaldees where Abraham records -

"...finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers..." (Pearl of Great Price Abraham 1:2)

Prayer must have been a significant part as Abraham sought for righteousness and the blessings of the fathers for as the priests of Elkanah -

"...lifted up their hands upon me, that they might offer me up and take away my life, behold, I lifted up my voice unto the Lord my God, and the Lord hearkened and heard, and he filled me with the vision of the Almighty, and the angel of his presence stood by me, and immediately unloosed my bands;
16 And his voice was unto me: Abraham, Abraham, behold, my name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee..." (Pearl of Great Price Abraham 1:15 - 16)

And with this deliverance the Lord tells Abraham -

"...and to take thee away from thy father's house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of..." (Pearl of Great Price Abraham 1:16)

And this because his kinsfolk -

"... have turned their hearts away from me, to worship the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt..." (Pearl of Great Price Abraham 1:17)

The righteousness of Abraham becomes apparent as he -

"...Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth..."(Old Testament Genesis 14:18 - 19)

And then to Melchizedek, after Abraham had -

brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people...he gave him tithes of all." (Old Testament Genesis 14:16 - 20)

And then Abraham after having freed all these goods from those who had taken them, he declines to accept the spoils of conquest as he tells the other kings -

"...I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me..." (Old Testament Genesis 14:23 - 24)

It is understandable that to Abraham the Lord promises -

"...I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered..." (Old Testament Genesis 13:16)

And -

"..Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be." (Old Testament Genesis 15:5)

I think if the Lord promised me such great blessings, I would tend to think - "sure thing!" But not Abraham for -

"...he believed in the LORD..." (Old Testament Genesis 15:6)

And because of his great faith, the Lord -

"...counted it to him for righteousness...." (Old Testament Genesis 15:6)

Speaking of faith, as Paul wrote the Galatians -

"...Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness...." (New Testament Galatians 3:6)

We begin to understand what the Lord meant in the innumeration of his seed -

"Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (New Testament Galatians 3:7 - 9)

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (New Testament Galatians 3:14)

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (New Testament Galatians 3:29)

It is then through faith in Jesus Christ that -

"...all families of the earth be blessed." (Old Testament Genesis 12:3)

Genesis 4 - 10

After Adam and Eve were drove out of the Garden of Eden, the Lord -

"...gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 5:5)

So from the very beginning, a commandment or a law of sacrifice was given to Adam -

"...And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 5:6)

And Adam was given this explanation -

"...This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 5:7 - 8)

It becomes apparent that this law or offering was very specific in its compliance for -

"...Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect." (Old Testament Genesis 4:3 - 5)

The commandment given to "offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord" was very clear. Anything else would fall under disobedience. Since the Lord gave no respect to Cain's offering because of his flagrant disobedience -

"...Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell..." (Old Testament Genesis 4:5)

And in response, the Lord very objectively states the plan of happiness or unhappiness -

"...If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door..." (Old Testament Genesis 4:7)

It all hinges on obedience -

"...Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:27)

We learn that -

"...Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." (Old Testament Genesis 6:9)

All because of his obedience for -

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
(Old Testament Genesis 6:22)

As a result the Lord promised -

"...will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive." (Old Testament Genesis 6:18 - 20)

And even as Noah and his family was preserved and left the Ark, in a great example of continued obedience -

"...Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar." (Old Testament Genesis 8:20)

Genesis 1 - 3

After completing the Book of Mormon on New Years Eve, I have decided to move my scripture study in the morning to the Old Testament while still reading a chapter or two in the Book of Mormon.

After eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the Lord said to Eve -

"...I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee..." (Old Testament Genesis 3:16)

It is the statement of "he shall rule over thee" that caught my attention this morning. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines rule as -

"the exercise of authority or control : Dominion"

The first impulse many may feel with this definition probably derived from experience is that of oppression or force. But we witness in the scriptures both righteous rule and wicked rule.

The Lord said -

"Know ye not that I, the Lord your God....I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?"
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 29:7)

For there are some that -

"...do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:6)

And how does the Lord rule? -

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (New Testament John 15:13)

"He shall rule over thee" becomes more clear as the Paul taught -

"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it..." (New Testament Ephesians 5:23 - 25)

Husbands are to rule even as Christ would. Husbands who have been ordained after the Holy Order of the Son should rule such that -

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:41 - 42)

This is how Christ rules such that his -

"...dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:46)

For if men rule in any manner as to

"...undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:37)

For even with Adam and Eve, the Lord-

"...gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:32)

And to rule with righteousness means we are all -

"...free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 10:23)

How then are we to rule or -

"...what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 27:27)