The Old Testament is full of interesting stories of real people with real lives. I've always been impressed by this fact. They weren't perfect people but they've always been real.
Throughout my adult life, and especially during the years that I have taught seminary, I have come to regard Moses as my favorite. His life and his approach to problems have served as a guideline for me on numerous occasions. In fact, I have come to look upon Moses and the Old Testament as synonymous.Moses' initial lifestyle took a dramatic change when he was confronted with his "true identity" and responsibility. As a convert to the Church I, too, had a change in lifestyle. This new Church required a lot of my time and dedication. As I was trying to decide how I could do what needed to be done, I was led to Moses' example of serving with full purpose of heart. From that time on each time I received a new call to serve, I would read the handbook and/or manual from cover to cover so I could become completely familiar with the position. I felt well-grounded as I began to serve.
Moses was not afraid to learn new tasks nor to be shown a better way to do things. This has been most helpful to me in raising my family and in all of my teaching assignments. After studying the additional information that we have concerning Moses in the Pearl of Great Price, I was impressed with his directness. If he had a question, he was not hesitant to take it to the Lord. Several times we can read of him asking questions such as, "Who shall I say sent me?" or "Why (or how) did you make this?" From this I learned to speak up and get clarification, when possible, both spiritually and temporally.
Another trait that I have tried to emulate involves leadership. Although I am a "born perfectionist" and would often do too many things on my own because I knew that they would be done correctly, I came to realize that this was not the best way to be a teacher or a mother. I began to notice how Moses not only organized things and gave out assignments but also how he let those assigned do the job, and he listened to their reports or advice. A great case in point is the story of the spies sent into Canaan. He gave them all a fair chance to speak and then took the matter to the Lord. It probably wasn't easy to relay the Lord's directions to those who were in error due to their lack of faith, but he did it anyway.
I can think of two examples of this lesson from the time I was serving as a ward Young Women president. Proper attire was always emphasized for the young women as they went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. One girl seemed to rebel against this direction and was wearing a skirt that was much too short. Instead of chastising her once again upon seemingly unhearing ears, we proceeded to go to the temple. Upon our arrival there, one of the sweet sisters at the door looked at her and put her arm around her shoulders, walking her to a corner where some wrap-around long skirts were kept. She carefully chose one for the girl, telling her how nice she looked to be properly dressed to enter the temple. There are others around us who have an ability to touch those you have not been able to touch. Let them do it.
Another time, we were having dinner for the senior citizens in the ward. Two girls were assigned to bring green salads. One of them forgot. She arrived empty-handed and then said that she would call her mother to go to the store and pick up the necessary items and deliver them. Instead, I was prompted to do as I had learned from Moses: when you fail in an assignment, do not try to compromise the consequences. I reminded her that it was not her mother's responsibility to bring the salad so she should not have to pay the penalty. We served the one salad to our guests (and there was ample) and the rest of us went without. This experience was never repeated during my four years of service.
While I have several heroes from the scriptures, Moses certainly has to be on the front line. I am indebted to him for the help and guidance his life has been in my life. Whenever I taught Old Testament in seminary I would try to teach these and other traits or characteristics to each of the students. I still look to his writings for guidance even to this day, for I feel that he was truly a forerunner to the Savior, Jesus Christ.