20

Deuteronomy 17–34

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Deuteronomy 17–19; 21:22–23. Moses Set Forth Laws for Israel’s Governance Worshipers of false gods were to be put to death (see Deuteronomy 17:1–7). Difficult disputes were to be brought before the priests for judgment (see Deuteronomy 17:8–13). The Lord gave guidelines for the selection and reign of a righteous king (see Deuteronomy 17:14–20). Priests and Levites were to be supported by the other Israelites (see Deuteronomy 18:1–8). The evil practices of Israel’s neighbors were forbidden to Israel (see Deuteronomy 18:9–14). Moses prophesied of Christ and told Israel how a true prophet could be recognized (see Deuteronomy 18:15–22). Moses instructed that cities of refuge be established and gave laws concerning murder and witnesses (see Deuteronomy 19; 21:22–23).	Religion 301 student manual, 20-1 through 20-7; 20-10. AF, pp. 463–65. What forms did idolatry assume anciently? Joseph Smith—History 1:40. Who was the prophet Moses spoke of in Deuteronomy 18:15–19? (see also Acts 3:22–23; 1 Nephi 22:20–21; 3 Nephi 20:23). TPJS, pp. 202–15. Why has the world always mistaken false prophets for true ones? (see especially p. 206). How may false prophets be detected? TPJS, p. 187. Can Satan compel men to do evil? Why do men seek it? Mosiah 2:9–17. What qualities of character distinguish a righteous king? D&C 58:17–18; 107:68–74. In what ways do modern bishops’ tasks resemble those of the judges in ancient Israel? (see Deuteronomy 17:8–13).
Deuteronomy 20:1–25:15. Moses Issued Laws Respecting Civil Strife and Domestic Concerns Israel was instructed about military matters (see Deuteronomy 20). Murders by persons unknown were to be expiated through a special blood sacrifice (see Deuteronomy 21:1–9). Specific laws concerning wives and children were given (see Deuteronomy 21:10–23). Moses set forth specific laws about lost goods, wearing apparel, looking out for others’ interests, marriage, and immorality (see Deuteronomy 22). Moses specified those who could be numbered with the congregation of Israel and issued laws respecting sanitation, servants, sexual impurity, usury, vows, and eating from others’ fields (see Deuteronomy 23). Moses gave laws relating to divorce, newlyweds, thievery, lending, treatment of hired servants and strangers, and gleaning (see Deuteronomy 24). Punishment for crime was prescribed, the law of levirate marriages was given, and justice in business dealings was enjoined (see Deuteronomy 25:1–15).	Religion 301 student manual, 20-8 through 20-9; 20-11 through 20-22. Matthew 7:12. What one law given by Christ covered all the laws in the law of Moses governing interpersonal relationships? Ephesians 6:5–9. Anciently, what was the command of God to servants? How were masters enjoined to treat their servants? AF, p. 59. What is the natural consequence of sin? MF, pp. 68–69, 250–52. How do sexual impurity and divorce often relate? MF, pp. 49–51. How should stealing be looked upon today? Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Oct. 1974, p. 8. The Lord is displeased when men “dress, groom, and act” like women, and vice versa.
Deuteronomy 25:16–30:20. Moses Spoke of the Promised Land and Prophesied of Israel’s Future Moses invited Israel to express gratitude to God by offering a basket of firstfruits upon entering the promised land and by paying tithes while in the land (see Deuteronomy 25:16–26). Upon entering the land, Israel was to build an altar of specially inscribed stone for sacrifice and offerings (see Deuteronomy 27:1–10). Moses prophesied of blessings or cursings that would result from obedience or disobedience (see Deuteronomy 27:11–28:57). Moses reminded Israel of God’s goodness and warned them to keep a faithful covenant with God or be expelled from the land (see Deuteronomy 29). Moses prophesied that if Israel were scattered, they would be gathered and blessed upon their land when they returned to the Lord (see Deuteronomy 30:1–10). Moses testified of the truth of his words and exhorted the people to love God (see Deuteronomy 30:11–20).	Religion 301 student manual, 20-23 through 20-28. D&C 59:21. In what ways do men often offend God? D&C 78:19. How does the Lord respond to those who receive his blessings with thankfulness? D&C 82:10. Under what conditions is the Lord bound to uphold his covenants with man? D&C 130:20–21. How may individuals obtain any blessing they desire from God? Jeremiah 3:14–18. The scattering of Israel was prophesied. What would happen to Israel after a long period of dispersion? (see also Isaiah 11:12–16; Jeremiah 23:1–8). AF, p. 316–22. What future event did both prophets of ancient Israel and prophets of ancient America foretell? DS, 1:165. Why was ancient Israel scattered in the earth?
Deuteronomy 31–34. Moses Gave His Benediction to Israel Moses gave Joshua charge of leading Israel and urged him and the people to be courageous and strong (see Deuteronomy 31:1–8). Moses wrote the law, delivered it to the priests, and commanded that it be read to all Israel every seven years (see Deuteronomy 31:9–13). The Lord taught Moses a song, which Moses taught to Israel to be a witness against them when they would rebel against God (see Deuteronomy 31:14–32:47). God sent Moses to Mount Nebo and reminded him that he would not enter the promised land (see Deuteronomy 32:48–52). Moses gave his last blessing to the tribes of Israel (see Deuteronomy 33). Moses saw the promised land and was taken by the Lord; Joshua assumed leadership of Israel (see Deuteronomy 34).	Religion 301 student manual, 20-29 through 20-36. Numbers 27:18–23. How was Joshua appointed to lead Israel? Deuteronomy 3:23–27; 4:21–22. Why was Moses allowed to see but not to enter the promised land? (see also Numbers 20:7–13). D&C 84:23–25. Why did the Lord take Moses and the holy priesthood from Israel? Alma 45:19. What happened to Moses after he saw the promised land? DS, 2:107, 110–11. Why was Moses translated?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Israel’s Laws (Sections A–B)

This part of the book of Deuteronomy is a good, understandable treatise on many of the laws that governed the children of Israel. If you have not already done so in lessons 12, 15, or 16, review and explain many of the specific laws that regulated the daily lives of the Israelites. This review will help students understand the culture, which influenced many events in the Old Testament.

Blessings and Cursings (Section C)

It is a common practice for people settling a new area to associate a certain geographical feature, such as a mountain or a river, with an event or some other thing worth remembering. For example, when the Utah pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, the large peak north of the settlement was named Ensign Peak. The gospel, emanating from the valley, was to be an “ensign to the nations” (Isaiah 5:26). Whenever the Saints looked at the peak, they were reminded of their sacred obligation to spread the word of God throughout the world. (Refer to Deuteronomy 11:26–32 and note that Moses did a similar thing for ancient Israel.)

Read some of the blessings and cursings Moses set before the people in Deuteronomy 28. Point out that Moses prophesied of the day when Israel, through disobedience, would reject the Lord and be scattered throughout the earth to lead a most unpleasant existence (see Deuteronomy 28:64–68). Indicate that all of these prophecies were fulfilled as a result of Israel’s failure to keep their covenants with God. Major scatterings took place when the ten tribes were taken captive by Assyria in 721 B.C., when the Babylonians took Judah captive in 587 B.C., and when the Romans scattered Judah throughout the known world after the Savior’s death.