“Lesson 1: Introduction to the Old Testament,” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)
“Lesson 1: Introduction to the Old Testament”
Lesson 1
Introduction to the Old Testament
Prepare to Learn
Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Be sure to remove any distractions that may interrupt your learning experience.
Begin your study with prayer.
Think about your testimony of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, as you watch this message by Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. What can you do to strengthen your testimony?
Look at these images that depict the accounts of Abraham and Isaac; Moses and the children of Israel; Jonah; and Esther, found in the Old Testament.
What do you remember about these accounts?
A Message of Christ
President Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) of the First Presidency summarized the message of the Old Testament:
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President Marion G. Romney
“The message of the Old Testament is the message of Christ and his coming and his atonement” (Marion G. Romney, “The Message of the Old Testament” [Church Educational System Symposium on the Old Testament, Aug. 17, 1979], 4).
How can the accounts of Abraham, Moses, Jonah, and Esther teach of Jesus Christ, His coming, and His Atonement?
As you study the Old Testament this year, you will learn to see Jesus Christ in the prophecies, events, and symbols of the Old Testament. For example, one of the early commandments given to Adam and Eve was to sacrifice the firstborn males of their flocks of sheep as an offering to the Lord (see Moses 5:5–7; compare Exodus 12:5). They would kill the animal and then place it on an altar to be burned.
Read Moses 5:5–7, looking for what an angel taught Adam about this sacrifice.
In the book of Leviticus we learn additional details about animal sacrifices. These details were meant to teach of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
Read Leviticus 1:2–4, looking for words or phrases about the animal to be sacrificed that also describe the Savior and His Atonement. The phrase “without blemish” means free of flaws or imperfections.
1. What words or phrases did you find? How do these words or phrases also describe Jesus Christ and His Atonement?
The offerings and sacrifices explained in the book of Leviticus are part of what was known as the law of Moses.
Read 2 Nephi 11:4, looking for what Nephi said was the purpose of the law of Moses. It may help to know that the word typifying means to symbolize or represent.
In the scriptures we can find many titles and names that refer to Jesus Christ. These include Anointed One,Creator, and Deliverer. As you study the Old Testament you will learn to recognize additional titles and names used for Jesus Christ.
Quiz 1
Read the passages listed on the left, and match them with the title or name of Jesus Christ on the right that is found in the passage.
The title “LORD God” (Genesis 2:4) implies supreme authority. When the word LORD (all caps) is used in the Old Testament, it refers to Jehovah, who was the premortal Christ (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Jehovah,” scriptures.lds.org).
Many other titles and names are used for Jesus Christ. Look at the entry titled “Jesus Christ” in the Topical Guide.
Using the Topical Guide, what other titles can you find in the Old Testament that refer to Jesus Christ?
Ever since Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, Heavenly Father’s children have lived in a fallen condition and are physically and spiritually separated from God.
How does Heavenly Father let us know that we are not forgotten?
How does Heavenly Father help us find our way back to Him?
One of the ways that Heavenly Father helps us return to Him is by calling prophets. God calls prophets to preach the gospel and administer His covenants and ordinances.
A sacred act that is performed by the authority of the priesthood and that is designed by God to teach spiritual truths, often through symbolism.
A sacred agreement between God and man wherein God gives the conditions for the covenant and we agree to do what He asks us to do.
Covenants and Ordinances
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained one purpose of covenants and ordinances:
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Henry B. Eyring
“Heavenly Father has always helped his children by offering them covenants and empowering his servants to offer ordinances. …
“… Every covenant with God is an opportunity to draw closer to him” (Henry B. Eyring, “Making Covenants with God” [Brigham Young University fireside, Sept. 8, 1996], 2, 3, speeches.byu.edu).
2. Think about your baptism, the opportunity you have to partake of the sacrament each Sabbath day, and opportunities you may have to perform ordinances in the temple, such as baptisms for the dead. Then write a few sentences to answer this question: How do covenants and ordinances help us overcome our separation from God?
Making and keeping eternal covenants is essential in order for us to draw closer to our Father in Heaven in this life and eventually return to live with Him in the life to come. The prophet Abraham entered into a covenant with God that would help him “walk before [God]” and become perfect (Genesis 17:1–2).
From Ezekiel 36:24–28 we can learn that God has promised to gather His covenant people when they keep His commandments. The term gather refers not only to a physical gathering of God’s people but also to the spiritual condition of being gathered to the Lord. We gather to Him as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, receive the saving covenants and ordinances, and worship the Lord at church, in temples, at home, and in our daily lives.
Watch this video of a young man named Junior. What did he do to help gather others to the Lord?
3. When have you (or someone you know) been able to help someone else gather to the Lord? What feelings did you (or the person you know) experience while helping another person gather to the Lord?
Remember that as part of your participation in seminary, you will need to read the portions of the Old Testament that have been selected for the seminary course of study. You are also encouraged to study the scriptures daily. Before you begin your study of the Old Testament, read Moses 1, which is a revelation the Prophet Joseph Smith received prior to beginning his translation of the book of Genesis (see Bible Dictionary, “Joseph Smith Translation”).
Begin a scripture study journal, either on paper or in your Notes on LDS.org, where you can write your thoughts and impressions as you learn. Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light” (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 88).
The following truths were identified in this lesson:
As we learn to see how the Old Testament testifies of Jesus Christ, our faith in Him will increase.
God calls prophets to preach the gospel and administer His covenants and ordinances.
God’s covenant people were scattered because they broke their covenants with Him.
God has promised to gather His covenant people when they keep His commandments.
As you study the Old Testament, you will learn more about your Savior Jesus Christ, the role of prophets, the importance of ordinances and covenants, and the Lord’s efforts to gather and bless His children.
