Primary 63 - Humble beginnings


Brothers and sisters, we feel that the story of Moses could start with the words of Thomas Paine with some minor editing.

"These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier [and saint] and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his [people and his God]; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny [and slavery], like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." (Edits in brackets with profound respect for Paine and all of his work.)

The second book of Moses is called "The Names" among the Jews, instead of Exodus, as it recants the names of those involved in changing the lives of the Hebrew people, Israel's people. For four hundred years, Israel was living in Egypt and went from fellow citizens to slaves. Little by little their freedom was taken and it would take a miracle to free them. 

Among the trials of the saints of Egypt, Exodus tells us that women of faith saw that a baby was spared, raised and shown how to seek the Lord in all things. He was protected by midwives and parents, watched over by a loving sister, and adopted by a woman of Egypt. Moses married a woman of faith and was prepared to see the face of God on Mount Horeb because of it. He was given the priesthood by his faithful father-in-law and was taught to be a shepherd of lambs and the Lord people. 

Every time Moses got comfortable in his place God moved him to the next step of his life. Bullrushes of the Nile to the kingdom of Egypt, Egypt's empire to a shepherd's field in Midian and Horeb (and he's not the prophet yet). 

Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. We may think we are not ready but God prepares us for everything we experience, but we assure you through our testimonies that God is prepared and will put people on our path to help us along the way. 

As we grow through our trials and experiences with the Lord's help, we will become tools in the Lord's hands. We will be placed in positions where we can help others come to the Lord and to accomplish His will. The more we listen and serve the Lord the more we grow spiritually and the closer we get to the Lord.

This week take time to review how Heavenly Father has directed good and bad experiences molded us into the people we are. 

Tune in next week when Moses says...

Thus saith the Lord, LET MY PEOPLE GO!

Challenges 
1) Read Exodus 7-13
2) Record your thought and feeling as you think about how the Lord has directed you.

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