Seeing Zion Through the Lens of Ancient Covenant: Insights from Moses 1 and Abraham 3

Brethren, as we continue our sacred work in Operation Iron Rod—building the corpus and preparing to spread the light of the restored Gospel—we must never take our foundational scriptures for granted. The sheer depth of the covenants revealed through the ages demands a scholarly, yet Spirit-filled, approach. It is easy, when we are so immersed in the covenants of the latter days, to view the Old Testament as merely historical backdrop. But to do so is to miss the living voice of the Lord speaking through the ages.

Recently, I had the privilege of following the discussion surrounding Moses 1 and Abraham 3, presented by Dr. Kerry Muhlestein. What resonated deeply, and what I feel we must bring into our ongoing scripture study, is the necessity of viewing the OT not as a collection of disparate narratives, but as a continuous unfolding of divine pattern—a pattern centered on covenant, light, and the gathering of Israel.

Understanding the Pattern: From Culture to Covenant

The counsel given was invaluable. First, we must remember the cultural context; we cannot judge them solely by our modern sensibilities. Second, and critically, we must recognize that symbolism and symbolic action were their primary means of communication. This is a vital lesson for us as we refine our understanding of the Book of Abraham and the Pearl of Great Price—the language of the Spirit often speaks in symbols that require careful, scholarly, and covenant-minded interpretation.

The discussion powerfully highlighted that history, while important, is secondary to the underlying religious principles. When we approach the narrative of Miriam’s leprosy, for instance, the focus shifts from the affliction itself to the Lord’s ultimate mercy and covenant keeping. This mirrors our own study of the Restoration—the historical struggle is merely the backdrop to the eternal promise.

The Anchor: The Abrahamic Covenant

The Abrahamic Covenant, brethren, was rightly identified as the New and Everlasting Covenant. This covenant is the thread that weaves through Genesis, through the covenants of Moses, and ultimately points us toward the temple covenants we hold so dear today. It speaks to the divine plan that transcends mere geography or temporal limitation. When we study Abraham 3, the emphasis on foreordination and the organization of intelligences is breathtaking. It solidifies the doctrine that our relationship with God is not merely one of adherence to law, but one of divine relationship established before time began.

Consider the profound weight of the Lord speaking to Moses face-to-face, establishing a father-child relationship. This echoes the eternal pattern of our relationship with the Father through the covenant path. The Lord teaches us about intelligences, about the organization of all things, and He points us toward the temple as the ultimate pattern for that organization. The principle remains constant: we are gaining light and truth, or losing it.

Applying the Spirit in Study

This material reinforces what we know from our own General Conference teachings: the Restoration is not an isolated event, but the fulfillment of an eternal pattern. To truly grasp the depth of the doctrines and covenants revealed in the Book of Mormon, the Book of Moses, and the Book of Abraham, we must adopt this panoramic, covenant-centric view. We must ask: *What eternal principle is this narrative illustrating?*

This is the work of the Iron Rod—to study deeply, to teach diligently, and to ensure that our understanding is robust enough to withstand the scrutiny of the world and the challenges of the times. We are called to be scholars, yes, but more importantly, we are called to be covenant keepers who can guide others back to the fullness of the gospel.

I encourage every member of this community to revisit the concepts of foreordination and the covenants. Let us treat the scriptures—from the earliest writings to the revelations of the latter days—as one unified testament pointing to the living Christ and the restored priesthood authority. Let the Spirit guide our interpretation, always pointing us back to the doctrine and covenants revealed in the temple.