March 27, 2026

Arks have been used throughout the Old Testament to represent our covenant relationship with our Savior and the saving power of His Atonement.

Noah built and ark that saved his family. Jochebed built and ark to save Moses. The Ark of the Covenant represented physical and spiritual salvation for the Israelites.

Why are arks, or boats, such a beautiful symbol for Christ's Atonement? Because in the middle of a large body of water (a fallen world), they offer salvation that would not exist without them. Such an apt metaphor.

Elder M. Russell Ballard used the same symbolism to represent the Old Ship Zion and said “Above all, remember rule number one: stay in the boat!”.

I heard something this year that has stuck with me. We cannot truly understand the beauty of the gospel and the Atonement of Christ, without understanding the Fall. If we do not understand the Fall, we cannot value the ark. That is why people leave the ship. An understanding of the Fall brings us to our knees in gratitude for our Savior's sacrifice.

In Egyptian, Moses means born. Rameses (see the meses) means born of Ra. So, Moses means born without having an origin because he was found in the river (in Hebrew Moses means drawn from the river, so the double meaning is neat).

This name is so beautiful for the man that struggles with where he belongs for much of his life. Is he Egyptian? Hebrew? Even in Midian, he names his son Gershom, meaning a stranger in a strange land. Moses struggles to understand his identity because he does not know his origin.

Imagine, then, how Moses must have felt when they God of the universe said to him "behold, thou art my son" (Moses 1). He was not just born, he is a child of God. And so are we. It is the Adversary that lies to us saying "son of man, worship me".

We are children of Elohim, purchased from death by Jehovah. We are theirs. That knowledge is vital to survive this mortal part of our eternal journey. I am grateful for a living Heavenly Father, a merciful Savior Brother, and all they have done for us.