Comparing Moses and Joseph Smith is not some recent idea. In the Book of Mormon, nearly 600 years before Christ, Lehi is speaking to one of his sons about a prophecy of Joseph of Egypt and references Joseph Smith. He is refering to "a choice seer" that will come from his lineage and says "And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel." (2Ne 3:9)
The Exodus that Moses began is also strikingly parallel to the exodus began by Joseph Smith with the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Moses led his people from Egypt through the wilderness to the mountains where they received the Law. This was the day of Pentecost, or 50 days after leaving Egypt, and was an outpouring of revelation and spiritual experiences...a pentecostal season. The same pattern followed 50 days after Jesus died (passover) when in Acts chapter 2 the Holy Ghost filled the Apostles and great spiritual outpourings occurred. After Moses and the House of Israel were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years they approached the promised land. Joshua finished the journey leading the people who were not of the rebellious generation across the Jordan River (which connects a living lake to a dead lake) into the Promised Land. In greater symbolism, Joshua, who's name (Yeshua, "Jehovah Saves") refers to Jesus Christ, led the people through the "veil" or Jordan River, which parted the way into the Celestial Kingdom, or Promised Land. Christ parted the veil and made it possible for all who have faith in Christ and follow Him to enter the presence of God, or the Celestial Kingdom.
For the Saints of the Restoration, their exodus was also just as tangible and symbolic. Led by Jospeh Smith, who was also seeking to establish a zion-like society of Saints living by Celestial law, these Saints followed the Prophet first out of New York to gather in Kirtland, Ohio. New York is like Egypt, as one reason they were leaving was to avoid their enemies and growing persecution. The Church had a truly pentecostal season of great spiritual outpouring, receiving the Law (D&C 42, as the Lord had promised in previous revelation (D&C 38:32) that in Ohio he would give His law), and being endowed with power...like the Apostles in Acts ch. 2 sensing the Spirit in a great rushing wind, speaking in tongues, etc. This receiving of the Law for the Saints occurred in parallel with the building of the Kirtland Temple, and temples are known as "mountains of the Lord." So Mt. Sinai for modern-day Israel was a temple, which is very fitting. The Saints continued to "wander" from place to place seeking Zion and peace...their promised land. Eventually they traveled the vast distance to the Salt Lake valley under the guidance of Brigham Young (the next prophet, like Joshua after Moses). In the Salt Lake valley you have another living lake (Utah Lake) connected to a dead lake (Salt Lake...like the Dead Sea) by a river...fitttingly called the Jordan River. There is no other place in the world with such a set-up except for in the Middle East where the ancient children of Israel crossed the Jordan River. The parallels between these two journeys of ancient and modern-day Israel are fitting and powerful. From Telestial to Terrestrial to Celestial this journey parallels our spiritual journey back into the rest of the Lord, or His presence. Moses sought with his might to prepare all his people to enter the rest of the Lord and enjoy God's presence, but they generally rejected this blessing. Joseph Smith had the same calling. He restored the fulness of the Gospel including temple ordinances (as the Priesthood authority for these was again on the earth!) that were crucial for again enjoying the presence of God (D&C 84: 22). Refering to this pathway to God through Priesthood ordinances, authority, and the power of Godliness brought through such, D&C 84:23-24 states: "Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; (24) But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in His wrath, for His anger was kindled against them, swore that that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of His glory." Thus they received the lesser preparatory Law, the lesser Priesthood, and lesser blessings.
Today the fulness of the Gospel is at our fingertips and the invitation is to all: prepare yourself to enter the rest of the Lord. The exodus of the Saints of the Restoration reminds me of the need to press forward, keep my covenants, and help more fully establish the kingdom of God.
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