Moses 2, Abraham 4

Moses 2, Abraham 4 Study Guide – to be discussed October 1
Day 1: Read Moses 2:1-5; Abraham 4:1-5; Jeremiah 4:23 (with footnote 23a); D&C 88:6-13
1. Review Moses’ three questions as recorded in Moses 1:30 and 36. Does Moses 2 seem to answer any of these questions? Why do you think Moses was commanded to write down this instruction?



2. Use the footnote for Jeremiah 4:23a to give an explanation for the phrase, “without form and void” (Moses 2:2). Upon what did the Spirit move (Moses 2:2) or “brood” (Ab. 4:2)?



3. What was the first command after the heavens and earth were formed or organized? Read D&C 88:6-13. Why do you think one of the first acts of creation was to divide the light from the dark?



Day 2: Read Moses 2:6-8; Abraham 4:6-8; Proverbs 3:19-20; Bible Dictionary entry, “Firmament”
4. Where Abraham’s record uses the word “expanse” (Ab. 4:6), Moses’ record uses “firmament” (Moses 2:6). Use the Bible Dictionary entry “Firmament” with the footnote for Moses 2:8a to explain what is meant by these terms.



5. Which waters did the firmament or expanse divide?


6. Read Proverbs 3:19-20. What two attributes of Godliness were necessary in the planning of creation?


BONUS: Look at Facsimile No. 2 on page 36 in the Pearl of Great Price. Figure 4 (upper left quadrant) was identified by Joseph Smith as representing expanse or firmament. What does this figure look like to you? (See also Facsimile No. 1, Figure 12.)


Day 3: Read Moses 2:9-13; Abraham 4:9-13
7. List the events of the third creative period.



8. Find and mark the word “let” in Moses 2:9-13 and Abraham 4:9-13. Why is it important to know that the earth and heaven did not come into existence randomly or by accident?



9. From Abraham 4:9-13, find the phrase “and the Gods…” each time it occurs. List the verb or verb phrase that follows each occurrence.



Day 4: Read Moses 2:14-19; Abraham 4:14-19; D&C 76:70-71, 78, 81
10. What part of the earth’s creation was organized during he fourth creative period? How was this different from the first creative period?
11. From Moses 2:14-15, list reasons for this organization of lights.



BONUS: Read D&C 76:70-71, 78, 81. Give one example of how the celestial bodies are signs. Can you think of others?


12. According to Abraham 4:18, how long did the Gods watch those things which they had ordered?


Day 5: Read Moses 2:20-23; Abraham 4:20-23
13. List what was accomplished during the fifth creative period.



14. What two areas of the earth were filled?


15. For what purpose were these creatures blessed?



Day 6: Read Moses 2:24-27; Abraham 4:24-27; The Family – A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 2
16. What was accomplished during the sixth creative period?



17. What does the phrase “after their own kind” mean (Moses 2:11-12, 21, 24-25; Ab. 4:11-12, 21, 24-25)? Why do you think it is included in these creation accounts?



18. Read The Family – A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 2. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? What does this teach us about God? About man?



Day 7: Read Moses 2:28-31; Abraham 4:28-31
19. What blessing is given to men and women in Moses 2:28, Ab. 4:28?



20: Over what were men given dominion? What does “dominion” mean? What is unrighteous dominion? (See also D&C 121:39.)


21. Compare Moses 2:31 with Ab. 4:31. List differences between these verses.



BONUS: Why were creative periods 1-5 necessary prior to the creations of the sixth day?