Who art thou?

Undoubtedly, one of my favorite chapters in the standard works of the LDS church is Moses 1, in the Pearl of Great Price. The chapter covers Moses' experience with seeing God face to face. At girls' camp a few years ago, our wonderful first-time camp director took our ward on a nature walk. She sat us down in a little clearing off of the trail and gave a small devotional about Moses chapter 1. While I don't remember what was said, the message has stayed with me to this day. The first thing she talked about were the things that God said to Moses.

1. "I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name." God made sure Moses knew who He was. 
2. "thou art my son." The next most important thing for Moses to know was that he was God's son. We all are God's children. We are the children of the Lord God Almighty. Isn't that incredible?!
3. "I have a work for thee, Moses, my son; and thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten." God had a work that was meant for Moses, just as He does for us. It may not be leading thousands of Israelites through the Red Sea to the promised land, but it is important, and it is specific to each of us. We are also "in the similitude of [the] Only Begotten." We are like Christ. We have the capacity, the ability, and the potential to be perfect. 

Next time you're down on yourself, remember those things. YOU are the son or daughter of the Lord God Almighty. YOU have a work to do that was prepared by God, and it will change lives. YOU can become like the Savior Jesus Christ. That is our divine nature.

God then shows Moses many of His creations, and when God's presence departs from Moses, he collapses for several hours. When he finds his strength, he has another visitor. However, it is not so sacred this time. "Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me." Moses, however, is not distracted by the adversary and remember what God has told him. I love this next verse: "And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?" You tell him Moses! Unfortunately, Satan is undeterred, like normal. After Moses says "Get thee hence," "Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me." Moses gets scared at this point. Who wouldn't be when Satan throws a gigantic temper tantrum? However, "calling upon God, [Moses] received strength, and he commanded saying, Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory." This time, it is Satan's turn to tremble!! Moses is able to finish him off when he says, "In the name of the Only Begotten, depart hence, Satan."

As you read those verses, feel the power, feel your importance! God is on your side! He is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us. He will give us strength when we ask Him. One of my favorite scriptures says "[he] began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless, the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him." (Alma 4:15)

I can't tell you how many times I have cried out to my Father in Heaven, asking for help, guidance, and strength. I may not always get the answer I want, but He always hears me. I know that I am His daughter, and I know that He loves me. The same is true for everyone, no matter who you are and what you've done. We are His beloved children.

Thanks for reading :). This is something I feel very strongly about, and I highly suggest that you check it out for yourself. You can find out more about my beliefs here. The chapter that I quoted from can be found here. And you can always comment with questions and thoughts :).