Before the curtain rises on the drama of Creation in Genesis, there is a prologue.

In the King James Bible, we open immediately to “In the beginning.” However, the Restoration offers a vital theological frame that Genesis assumes but does not explicitly state. Revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, Moses 1 and the Book of Abraham serve as this frame. They are not merely prefaces; they are the twin lenses through which we are meant to view the entire scope of human existence.

Moses 1 recounts a theophany (an encounter with God), a confrontation with the Adversary, and the ultimate revelation of God’s work and glory. It opens with a profound divine interaction where Moses learns his identity as a “son of God.” This chapter grounds us in the personal: it establishes the relationship between the Father and His children and highlights the duality of light and darkness. It reminds us that while we are endowed with agency, we are also met with opposition, encouraging us to discern and choose righteousness amidst temptation.

Complementing this is the account of Abraham, particularly the cosmic revelations of chapter 3. If Moses 1 teaches us who we are, Abraham teaches us where we came from and why we are here. Through the Urim and Thummim, Abraham is shown the governing dynamics of the universe—stars, orbits, and the great star Kolob. But this astronomy lesson is a parable for spiritual reality: just as one star is greater than another, spirits possess varying degrees of intelligence. Abraham takes us behind the scenes to the Grand Council in Heaven, revealing the doctrine of the “First Estate” and the blueprint of the Plan of Salvation before the earth was even formed.

Together, these texts restore the foundations of our faith. Moses leads us up the mountain to see God face-to-face; Abraham leads us into the stars to see the pre-mortal councils. A careful examination of these verses unveils theological depths that speak to our divine lineage, the eternal nature of intelligence, and a plan that stretches far beyond our mortal experiences.

Below is a verse-by-verse expository commentary that explores the deep theological currents of these remarkable texts. As we engage with the prologues of Moses and Abraham, we invite the Spirit to guide our understanding, deepening our connection to the divine narrative that encompasses our lives and the cosmos around us.

Read More »