THE GREAT I AM

 

When Moses was 40 years old he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and he left the Egyptian court. He joined his people Israel preferring God to the riches of Egypt and believing God would by his hand deliver his people but they ‘understood not’ (Hebrews 11:24-27; Acts 7:25).

In short, Moses went from the privilege of his Egyptian upbringing to slavery, to being a shepherd in the land of Midian where he married and received the priesthood from Jethro, his father-in-law (D&C 84:6). After another forty years of pastoral life, Moses finally had confirmation that he would lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He was by then 80 years old.

When God spoke to Moses on Mt Sinai out of the burning bush, He identified himself as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” and commanded him to deliver the children of Israel out of the Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:6-10).

But Moses was not content to go to Israel telling them ‘the God of your fathers sent me’ so he asked God to identify himself by His name which he would take to the Israelites (v 13). God answered: “I am that I Am. Tell them I AM sent me” (v 14).

I AM is the name that identifies Jehovah. It is the equivalent of “Yahveh” or “Jahveh” now rendered “Jehovah” and signifies “The Self-existent One”, “The Eternal”, “The First and the Last”. So sacred was the name regarded by the Jews that their traditionalism forbade the utterance of it. (see James Talmage, “Jesus the Christ”, p 412)

Hence the Lord was not saying “I AM THAT I AM” but rather, “I am ‘that’ I AM”. I am Jehovah.

During His earthly ministry, the Saviour identified himself as seven main I AM’s as contained in the Gospel of John:

-          I am the bread of life (6:31,51)

-          I am the light of the world (8:12)

-          I am the door of the sheep (10:7,9)

-          I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)

-          I am the resurrection and life (11:25)

-          I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6)

-          I am the true vine (15:1,5)

As I look at these seven proclamations I could summarise them in this one scripture: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

As we approach this Easter season and yet again acknowledge the Saviour’s Atonement, may we reflect on who He really is and more importantly, who He is to each of us individually. We should know that.

My favourite name for the Saviour is “The Great I Am” (D&C 39:1) and surely He is. There is no greater. Hallowed be His name…..forever and ever.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Chris Brazelton)

 

 

 

THE GREAT I AM

 

When God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, He identified himself as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” and commanded him to deliver the children of Israel out of the Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:6-10).

But Moses was not content to go to Israel telling them ‘the God of your fathers sent me’ so he asked God to identify himself by His name which he would take to the Israelites (v 13). God answered: “I am that I Am. Tell them I AM sent me” (v 14).

I AM is the name that identifies Jehovah. It is the equivalent of “Yahveh” or “Jahveh” now rendered “Jehovah” and signifies “The Self-existent One”, “The Eternal”, “The First and the Last”. So sacred was the name regarded by the Jews that their traditionalism forbade the utterance of it. (see James Talmage, “Jesus the Christ”, p 412)

Hence the Lord was not saying “I AM THAT I AM” but rather, “I am ‘that’ I AM”. I am Jehovah.

During His earthly ministry, the Saviour identified himself as seven main I AM’s as contained in the Gospel of John:

-          I am the bread of life (6:31,51)

-          I am the light of the world (8:12)

-          I am the door of the sheep (10:7,9)

-          I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)

-          I am the resurrection and life (11:25)

-          I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6)

-          I am the true vine (15:1,5)

As I look at these seven proclamations I could summarise them in this one scripture: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

As we approach this Christmas season and yet again celebrate the Saviour’s birth, may we reflect on who He really is and more importantly, who He is to each of us individually. We should know that. May we think about everything we know of Him and what particular name of His means the most to us.

My favourite name for the Saviour is “The Great I Am” (D&C 39:1) and surely He is. There is no greater.

I marvel at His willingness

To descend from the regions of bliss

That was His heavenly home

To pay the ransom for my soul.

 

He is my greatest gift,

My love and my all,

I bow in reverence

before the foot of His throne.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)

THE MORTALITY OF A GOD

 

“Jesus walked the same road from infancy to manhood that has been trod by every adult mortal, from first to last….He learnt to crawl, to walk, to run. He spoke his first word, cut his first tooth, took His first step – the same as other children do.

“He learnt to speak; he played with toys like those of his brothers and sisters; and he played with them and with the neighbourhood children. He went to sleep at night and he awoke with the morning light.

“He was subject to disease and illness on the same basis as we all are. We know he was hungry, weary, and sorrowful; that his eyes wee keen, his ears alert, and his tongue fluent.

“It is also apparent that Jesus learned much from nature – from observing the lilies of the field, the birds of the air, and the foxes that have holes for homes.

“As a man, he felt what other men feel, did what other men do, had the same appetites and passions as others have.

“On Sabbaths and on week days He attended the synagogue, heard the prayers and sermons, the felt the spirit of the occasion. He participated in the regular worship during the feasts, particularly at Passover time.

“He brought with him from that eternal world the talents and capacities, the inclination to conform and obey, and the ability to recognize truth that he had acquired. Jesus, when yet a child, had spiritual talents that no other man in a hundred life-times could obtain.

-        Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah Book 1, 367-9”

Yet even though He was endowed with talents and spiritual capacities exceeding those of any other person, He participated in the normal activities and experiences of His time and was subject to the restrictions and testings of mortality (Hebrews 2:10-18; 4:15; 5:8-9; Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:111).

Such was the life of a God who became a mortal…..

What faith You had

In those who held You

by Your mortal hand;

How loyal to their charge

Were they who sustained You

When it all began.

How tender their heart

To see the Hope of Israel

And recognize The Great I am.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Child of Grace by Liz Lemon Swindle) 

THE NOBLE AND GREAT ONES

 

 

I listened to Handel’s ‘Messiah’ this Christmas. This would have to be the most spiritually charged and soul-stirring piece of music ever written. A good choir could lift the roof of a building singing something so majestic and powerful. Even though angelic host can do even better,  I wondered as I listened how the Saviour would feel listening to such songs of praise. I wondered if His heart would swell within His chest, if He felt being ‘a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ for a season was worth it (Isaiah 53:3). I wondered how He felt reflecting back on His difficult mortal, sacrificial life that He lived exclusively for others. Reflecting on this  made me weep wondering how He could endure it all on His own but then I realized something that gave me a fresh perspective: the success of His mission was aided by some very noble spirits.

Consider first the most pure vessel chosen to be His earthly mother. Tradition has it that Mary was only 15 years old when she had Jesus. Such a responsibility for one so young seems overwhelming, nevertheless, her spiritual maturity must have exceeded her mortal years. And Joseph, the noble son of God who was chosen to rear the Saviour from infancy to adulthood; who protected Him at every turn, taught Him the law, and schooled Him in a profession and responsibilities of a righteous Hebrew man. And what of Peter and the apostles who left behind everything to follow Him and went to their deaths willingly to further the cause of Him whom they professed had ‘the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68)? And John the Beloved…..what kind of love would it have to be to want to remain on this earth for over 2,000 years doing missionary work (D&C 7:1-3)? And what of friends who loved Him and offered refuge from His sorrows such as Lazarus, Mary and Martha?  These were the noble and great hand-picked supporters who were converted to the cause of the truth long before the earth began. These were the ones who made the Saviour’s mortal life bearable. I am certain that when He reflects on His experience His heart swells with gratitude for the committed, the valiant, the accepting fellow travellers on the greatest journey ever undertaken.

What faith You had

In those who held You

by Your mortal hand;

How loyal to their charge

Were they who sustained You

When it all began.

How tender their heart

To see the Hope of Israel

And recognize The Great I am.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Child of Grace by Liz Lemon Swindle)

THE POWER OF "I AM"

 

I am mesmerised by the method of identity used in the Book of Mormon. It is not a method we use today in our written communication but to me it is enchanting. It says volumes about the person who proclaims “I am”. It ignites my heart with tenderest of emotions to hear this:

  

“I am Moroni; I am a leader of the people of the Nephites” (Alma 54:14). I just have to read this sentence and know who Captain Moroni was. I have been enthralled by his staggering passion for liberty, the welfare of his people and his faith in Christ as I have studied and admired his warfare acumen through the pages of the book of Alma. He is a fearless man who boldly addressed the leader of the Lamanites, as ‘a child of hell’ (Alma 54:11); he is the man at whose feet the Lamanites threw their weapons (Alma 52:38); he is the man who was beloved by all the people of Nephi (Alma 53:2); he is the man that Helaman addressed as his ‘beloved brother Moroni’ (Alma 56:2,45;58:41). All these things and more rush into my mind when I hear his name. His greatness is too numerous to name here. 

 

Another proclamation of self-identity that gets to me is, “I am Helaman, the son of Alma” (Alma 58:41). When I hear his name I remember the warrior who became a ‘Father’ to 2,000 young men he affectionately called his ‘little sons’ (Alma 56:30,39,44,46) and led them into war with valour and trust in God. To me, when Helaman says “I am the son of Alma” he is referring to more than just a biological connection but to his upbringing by a man who sorrowed for his people (Alma 8:10,14; 31:1,2,30,31;35:15) and sacrificed himself over and over to rescue them from the jaws of hell. Helaman walked in the footsteps of a father whose  accomplishments will echo throughout eternity. When I hear that he is the son of Alma, I know who Helaman is….because he was raised by a great man.

 

Now consider another greatness of valiancy: “I am Mormon, and I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (3 Nephi 5:12,13) . I believe that’s exactly who Mormon is when I read the greatest discourse in holy writ that he has penned on faith, hope and charity  (Moroni 7).  Someone who has produced a mammoth witness of Jesus Christ such as the Book of Mormon can with surety declare himself as His disciple. But nothing speaks to me volumes about this man as much as this poignant advice to his son which echoes in my heart repeatedly: “For we have a labour to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness” (Moroni 9:6). This was his creed and he went down fighting in the quest of its achievement. 

 

This Christmas, however,  may our hearts and minds be turned to the greatest I AM of all times….

·       I am the bread of life (John 6:31, 51)

·       I am the light of the world (John 8:12)

·       I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7,9)

·       I am the good shepherd (John 10:11,14)

·       I am the resurrection and life (John 11:25)

·       I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)

·       I am the true vine (John 15:1,5)

·       I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God (3 Nephi 9:15)…….

 

Such magnitude of power

Of love, mercy and light

Cradled in the body

Of a baby’s heart.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Light of the World by Nathan Greene)