Highlights for Exodus 1-6

Christ has many names in the scriptures like Jehovah, Savior, Lord, the Word, Bread of Life, Prince of Peace, etc. They are often a description of one of his roles as God. In Exodus, chapter 3, He shares one of my favorites:

14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

I AM might seem like a curious way for Christ to identify himself. Let’s take a look at what two apostles say about this particular title:

The Savior is not dependent on food or water or oxygen or any other substance or power or person for life. Both as Jehovah and Messiah, He is the great I Am, the self-existing God. He simply is and ever will be. (Elder D. Todd Christofferson – April 2014)

Vital religion cannot be maintained and preserved on the theory that God dealt with our human race only in the far past ages, and that the Bible is the only evidence we have that our God is a living, revealing, communicating God. If God ever spoke, he still is the great I Am, not the great He Was. (Elder Marion D. Hanks – April 1955)

What I hear in this name is, “I am real, and I’m not going anywhere.“

The Man Moses

Moses is one of the most admirable prophets ever lived. I am fond of both his personality and his story.

Based on the numbers from the census cited in the Old Testament – he trekked about 2.5 million Israelites out of Egypt on foot. Can you comprehend what it would take to get all of Salt Lake County and Utah County to up and follow you into the wilderness on foot? And then try to manage that somewhat unruly, unschooled crowd?

Moses sought the miracle of transforming uneducated enslaved people and poverty into a God-fearing, elevated nation. He yearned to give them all the spiritual power and experiences he had himself. He labored to prepare them to meet God face-to-face; they would not.

Are we sometimes the same way? President Nelson looks to have the same objective as Moses – to guide us towards heightened spiritual power and experiences.

The Prophet Russell M. Nelson

Consider these recent Moses-like invitations:

• When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him—when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life—you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do.
  When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you. And then you will understand the deep meaning of words we sing in the hymn “The Spirit of God”:

The Lord is extending the Saints’ understanding. …
The knowledge and power of God are expanding;
The veil o’er the earth is beginning to burst.**

• Now, you might be saying to yourself, “This sounds wonderful, but how do I do it? How do I draw the Savior’s power into my life?”
  You won’t find this process spelled out in any manual. The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutor as you seek to understand what the Lord would have you know and do. This process is neither quick nor easy, but it is spiritually invigorating. What could possibly be more exciting than to labor with the Spirit to understand God’s power—priesthood power?

• Part of this endeavor will require you to put aside many things of this world. Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy.
  As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you!

**Author’s note: the veil bursting is in direct reference to all witnessing the Savior come again:
22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name [Christ again], and worship me [Christ] according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;
23 And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together. (D&C 101:22-23)

Conclusion

What does the name “I AM” express to you? What will you do with these invitations from President Nelson? I am inspired to seek harder and do more than I have been doing. Many blessings to you!