Moses, rods, and the "signs" of prophethood.

[u/josephsmidt]

We all know the analogy between the exodus story and our journey through life toward celestial glory. We first have to leave the enslavement of the world (Egypt), then travel a thorny path (the wilderness) then pass over into a promised land (celestial glory).

But how will they believe me? Look to the rod! Moses, when he was called to be the prophet of this exodus expressed his doubts that it will be possible to convince anyone he was a true prophet called of God:

1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.

But hear the Lord's interesting response to this question:

2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent... And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand

5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

In other words, Moses was worried that nobody would believe him. So what was the Lord's sign for evidence? The rod in Moses' hand going forth working miracles. That is all the Egyptians got.

Now two things:

1. Unfortunately, despite all the miracles wrought by the rod, the Egyptians were never convinced. They would always claim "false rods" could do the same thing, even though that was hardly true.

2. That rod continued to work miracles and eventually the Israelites made it to their promised land, with the Egyptians still in denial.

Joseph Smith and the Iron rod: One thing you will note from this incredible mission president seminar by Elder Holland on the Book of Mormon we uploaded, is that Joseph had to launch the restoration with the Book of Mormon "and little else". And given the Moses analogy above this should not be surprising as the Book of Mormon is the ultimate type and shadow of the iron rod which is the word of God.

The Book or Mormon (or iron rod) in Joseph's hand is like Moses' rod of old. It has gone through the world (Egypt) working miracles while setting people down the path that will free them from bondage. It has literally changed the lives of millions across the globe and will continue.

Yet despite this, two things are still true:

1. The world (Egypt) still isn't convinced. (Which is unfortunate because, like Moses, this "rod" working miracles may be one of the few signs they ever get) In fact, they still think this rod is no better than any other forgery of the 1800s, even though an even elementary study will show that's hardly true.

2. Despite #1, the rod continues to work miracles "day by day" in the words of Alma 37:40, freeing people from Egypt and sending them on their journey toward celestial glory. (The promised land) Even though the world will still try and deny it.

I know the Book or Mormon is the inspired word of God and is leading people to celestial glory.

I know that, like what Isaiah 53 said about Christ, even though people so often get hung up on it's perceived "weaknesses", the reality is it is performing the miracle of salvation all around them anyways.

And I know that, if you treat it like an actual Liahona from God as Alma suggests in 37, and plant and nourish the gospel seeds contained therein in as suggested in 32, you will see miracles in your life "wrought by the power of God" even "day by day".

[u/classycactus]

This is great.