May 13, 2026

The children of Israel's journey from Egypt to the promised land beautifully parallels the Plan of Salvation and our lives.

While in Egypt, they could not progress because they were slaves. However, they were fed well and did not starve. They lived. This can remind us of either the premortal life before we came to earth, or even Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.

In both cases, the next step was to leave safety for growth by entering a telestial world, a lone and dreary wilderness. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness of Sin for a long time while the Lord proved them and provided for them. While in the wilderness, He fed them manna, their daily bread, to teach them to live by the word of God. He gave them trials to help point their focus to the Messiah. He used the priesthood to give them water from a rock to sustain them. He had them build a tabernacle where they could practice sacrifice and learn about the Atonement of Christ. He gave them commandments and they were blessed as they obeyed and suffered as they disobeyed.

After proving them, He led the children of Israel out of that dreary wilderness into the promised land.

Remember that we are wanderers in the wilderness of sin. If we live by the word of God, buns ourselves to Him through priesthood covenants and ordinances, obey the commandments, and focus on the Savior (brass serpent), through the Atonement of the Great Redeemer, He will lift us from this telestial plane to the promised land. This life is meant to be difficult, how else would we become like Father. But we don't have to do it alone, we can't do it alone, that is not the plan not is it possible. Walk with Christ, rejoice in Christ, for He is the way and the light.