Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Old Testament Lessons
- Welcome to the Old Testament
- Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Moses 7
- Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Genesis 18–23
- Genesis 24–33
- Genesis 37–41
- Genesis 42–50
- Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Exodus 7–13
- Exodus 14–18
- Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- 1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- 2 Kings 2–7
- 2 Kings 16–25
- 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Esther
- Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Isaiah 1–12
- Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Isaiah 40–49
- Isaiah 50–57
- Isaiah 58–66
- Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Daniel 1–7
- Hosea; Joel
- Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Malachi
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Building Self–Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeed in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Isaiah 11–12: “An Ensign for the Nations”

“Isaiah 11–12: ‘An Ensign for the Nations,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Isaiah 11–12: ‘An Ensign for the Nations,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Isaiah 1–12: Lesson 116

Isaiah 11–12

“An Ensign for the Nations”

Oil painting of a side view of Joseph with hands outstretched, squinting agianst bright sunlight in the act of speaking. He is dressed in a blue coat, orange patterened vest, dark pants and white shirt with high collar. Several people in the audience sit at his left in rapt attention. Tall trees are seen in the background.

God’s children have been spiritually scattered, and He wants to gather them to the safety of His gospel. Using the imagery of a tree and an ensign, Isaiah prophesied of the gathering of Israel. This lesson can help students feel more motivated to share the gospel with others.

Student preparation: Consider giving each student the two self-evaluation questions from the beginning of the lesson and inviting them to ponder how they would answer.

Possible Learning Activities

How do you feel about sharing the gospel?

Consider preparing one of the following and, as they listen, invite students to ponder how they feel about sharing the gospel:

An account from a student about when they, or someone they know, shared the gospel (You can ask if a student would be willing to share an experience at this point of the lesson, or you may set this up in advance.)
One of your own experiences
One of the following stories from Elder Gary E. Stevenson, “Love, Share, Invite,” May 2022
- Brother Wisan (pg 86, or time code 5:40–7:06)
  
  13:3
- Mayra (pg 86, or time code 8:33–9:42)
  
  13:3

Invite students to ponder how likely they are to share the gospel. It may be helpful to have them answer the following in their study journals:

How do you feel about sharing the gospel?
Why do you feel the way you do?

If students are comfortable, they can express some of their thoughts or feelings to the class.

As you study today, seek help through the Holy Ghost to increase your desire to share the gospel. Also seek help with any questions or concerns you may have.

Isaiah’s prophecy

Consider drawing or displaying something like the following, but do not include the labels. If you would like, invite students to make a similar drawing in their journals.

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

In Isaiah 11, Isaiah taught by symbolically using the parts of a tree.

Read Isaiah 11:1 and label the drawing. (It may be helpful to know that the stem could also be translated stump and rod as a small branch or shoot.)

What tools and skills can you use to discover who or what the stem symbolizes?

Some possible answers are the chapter heading and footnotes. Help students use these to find the symbolism. For example, footnote 1c leads to the following Doctrine and Covenants verses.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 113:1–2, looking for the inspired answers to what the stem symbolizes.

On the board, label the stem or trunk Jesus Christ. Students could also write this in their scriptures next to Isaiah 11:1.

If the Savior is the trunk, what might the part of the tree that was cut down symbolize?

A possible answer is that the Savior built a great kingdom or tree through David (the son of Jesse), but they fell into wickedness, divided into kingdoms, and would eventually be conquered (like a tree being cut down). However, the Savior would remember His covenant and help the descendants of David to grow, promising to gather them again.

Isaiah then prophesied of the Savior through the Second Coming and Millennium. Read one or two of the following sets of verses, looking for descriptions of the Savior and His influence.

Isaiah 11:2–5.
Isaiah 11:6–9. (Note: These verses describe the Millennium and how the knowledge of the Lord will affect the world. Both asp and cockatrice refer to venomous snakes.)
Isaiah 12:1–6.

Invite students to share phrases they found about the Savior or His influence that motivate them to want to come closer to the Savior, or help others gather to Him. If needed, consider explaining that Isaiah 11:6–9 illustrates the peace the Savior will bring to the world.

A prophecy of Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith sitting on his bed in the Smith farm house. Joseph has a patchwork quilt over his knees. He is looking up at the angel Moroni who has appeared before him. Moroni is depicted wearing a white robe. The painting depicts the event wherein the angel Moroni appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith three times in the Prophet's bedroom during the night of September 21, 1823 to inform him of the existence and location of the gold plates, and to instruct him as to his responsibility concerning the plates.

Show a picture of Moroni appearing before the young Joseph Smith and explain the following:

Moroni quoted Isaiah 11 to Joseph Smith several times (see Joseph Smith—History 1:40, 45–46, 49). Isaiah prophesied not only of the Savior in the last days but also of Joseph Smith. You may want to write Joseph Smith next to “rod” in Isaiah 11:1 and “root” in Isaiah 11:10. (See also Doctrine and Covenants 113:3–6.)

Read Isaiah 11:10–12, looking for the work the Lord would do through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Listen carefully as students share what they found. If useful, explain the following:

The phrase “set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people” (Isaiah 11:11) refers to the latter-day gathering of Israel (see Doctrine and Covenants 137:6).
An ensign is a flag or banner that an army may gather under or march behind.
“Ensign for the nations” (Isaiah 11:12) refers to the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including all its ordinances and covenants (see Doctrine and Covenants 45:9).

Write the following phrase on the board: The Lord’s restored Church is an ensign to gather people to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

An ensign for the nations

Question 1: Why would others want to gather to the Savior and His Church?

On the flag, write several things you know about Jesus Christ and His restored Church that you think would attract others to gather to Him and join His Church. You might include things that are unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (such as the Book of Mormon, modern-day prophets, the priesthood of God, and latter-day temples). Write about how the Lord blesses us through these things.

Question 2: Why gather with others to the Lord?

Next to the figures gathered around the flag, write some of the blessings we can receive as we gather with others to the Lord. You may think about the advantages of an army gathering together and how it may apply to us, how the various people in your ward or branch strengthen each other, or how Moses 7:18 illustrates some advantages.

Question 3: How can we invite others to come to the Savior?

Below the figures gathered around the flag, write several ways we can share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. You might include ways you have tried.

After completing the handout, invite students to share what they wrote on the handout and how they feel about what they wrote. If they do not do it naturally, invite them to share how what they learned today could help them feel more motivated to share the gospel.

Additional Resources

Isaiah 11:1. Who is the “stem of Jesse” and the “Branch”?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote:

Jesse was the father of David, he who became Israel’s greatest King. Christ was variously both a branch and a stem in this royal lineage.” (Witness for His Names [2019], 145)

See also Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man (1982), 192–94.

Isaiah 11:1. What is the “rod out of the stem of Jesse”?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith, to whom the priesthood came, who received the keys of the kingdom, and who raised the ensign for the gathering of the Lord’s people in our dispensation? And is he not also the “servant” in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power” (D&C 113:4–6)? (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [1982], 339–40)

Isaiah 11:10. What is an “ensign of the people”?

Elder Benjamín De Hoyos of the Seventy taught:

In a scriptural context an ensign, or a standard, is a flag around which people would gather in a unity of purpose. In ancient times a standard served as a rallying point for soldiers in battle. Symbolically speaking, the Book of Mormon and the restored Church of Jesus Christ are standards to all nations. (See Guide to the Scriptures, “Ensign,” Gospel Library.)

Without a doubt, one of the great standards of these latter days is this magnificent general conference, where the great work and plan of our Heavenly Father “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39) is continually proclaimed. (“That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nations,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 125)

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) described the ensign and its significance:

Over 125 years ago, in the little town of Fayette, Seneca County, New York, the Lord set up an ensign to the nations. It was in fulfilment of the prediction made by the Prophet Isaiah…. That ensign was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was established for the last time, never again to be destroyed or given to other people [see Daniel 2:44]. It was the greatest event the world has seen since the day that the Redeemer was lifted upon the cross and worked out the infinite and eternal atonement. It meant more to mankind than anything else that has occurred since that day. (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, [1955], 3:254–55)