Lesson 34

Genesis 28–30

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to be taught by the Holy Ghost. As you study the scriptures and the words of the prophets, you can come to better understand Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and you can learn how to progress toward eternal life.

Begin your study with prayer.

Take a few moments to reflect on your feelings about the temple.

When you are ready, watch this music video.

Listen to the lyrics, which describe the beauty and importance of the temple. You may also download the music here.

The Temple

To prepare for what you will learn today, reflect on what you already know about temple marriage. Then answer the following questions:

1. Why is it important to be married in the temple? What are some of the blessings that come to those who choose to be sealed for eternity in the temple?

Covenant Marriage

When we are married in the temple, we make covenants with the Lord. Marriage in the temple is covenant marriage. If we keep our covenants, we qualify for all the blessings that were promised to Abraham.

According to Genesis 28:1–2, Isaac instructed his son Jacob to marry one of the daughters of Laban and not a Canaanite woman. The Canaanites worshipped idols and engaged in other practices that were offensive to God. A daughter of Canaan would not be worthy to join Jacob in entering into a marriage covenant with the Lord. If Jacob were to marry a daughter of Canaan, he would be marrying out of the covenant.

Read Genesis 28:3–4, looking for what was promised to Jacob if he obeyed Isaac.

Quiz 1

1. According to Genesis 28:4, what was promised to Jacob if he obeyed Isaac?

   1. “The blessing of Abraham.”

   2. “The blessing of Enoch.”

   3. “The blessing of Noah.”

2. According to Genesis 28:1–4, what two things did Jacob have to do to receive this blessing?

   1. Live in peace.

   2. Love his enemies.

   3. Marry in the covenant.

   4. Remain faithful to his covenant.

The Blessings of Abraham

From Genesis 28:1–4 we can identify the following principle: If we marry in the covenant and remain faithful, then we will receive the blessings of Abraham. (See also D&C 132:30–33.)

To receive the blessings of Abraham means to receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant: having numerous posterity (see Genesis 17:5–6; Abraham 2:9; 3:14); receiving the gospel, the blessings of the priesthood, and the blessings of salvation and eternal life (see Abraham 2:11); and receiving the blessings of living in chosen lands.

Jacob’s Ladder

Genesis 28:5–9 records that Jacob obeyed his father by leaving the land of Canaan to find a suitable companion to marry in the covenant. By leaving Canaan, Jacob was also obeying his mother, who had warned Jacob of Esau’s plan to kill him. Esau observed the blessings that were promised to Jacob for marrying in the covenant. He also realized that his marriages to Hittite women displeased his father. Esau then married one of Ishmael’s daughters.

As Jacob journeyed to Haran, he stopped to rest, and he had a dream in which he saw a ladder. Imagine the bottom of the ladder as the earth and the top of the ladder as heaven or the presence of the Lord.

Read Genesis 28:10–13. What do you think Jacob might have learned from his vision of a ladder “set up on the earth, and the top of it [reaching] to heaven” (verse 12)?

The Rungs of the Ladder

President Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) taught about what the rungs of the ladder represent in Jacob’s dream.

“Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord … were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord” (Marion G. Romney, “Temples—The Gates to Heaven,” Ensign, Mar. 1971, 16).

Based on what Jacob saw in his vision, why is it important to receive the saving ordinances of the gospel (such as baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood for men, and temple ordinances) and keep their associated covenants?

Saving Ordinances and Returning to God’s Presence

Jacob’s vision and President Romney’s statement can help us to identify the following principle: We must receive the saving ordinances of the gospel and keep the associated covenants in order to return to the presence of the Lord.

Read Genesis 28:13–15, looking for what the Lord promised to give Jacob.

“The Gate of Heaven”

Consider marking in Genesis 28:15 the Lord’s promise to Jacob that “I am with thee.” Imagine how this promise would have helped Jacob while he was traveling alone and trying to escape Esau’s threats of violence.

We read in Genesis 28:16–19, 22 that Jacob described the place where he had his dream. The phrases “he was afraid” and “how dreadful is this place” in verse 17 refer to his feelings of reverence and awe. These phrases indicate that Jacob understood the seriousness of entering the presence of God.

According to verse 17, Jacob called the place where he had his dream “the house of God” and “the gate of heaven.” The phrase “the gate of heaven” refers to a gateway to God’s presence, through which we can receive the promise of eternal life.

What places serve as “the gate of heaven” for us today?

“The House of God”

From Genesis 28:17 we can identify this truth: The temple is the house of God and the gate to eternal life.

Imagine that someone has asked you why temples are so important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2. How would you respond?

Temple Preparation

3. Please do the following writing activities:

• Write your thoughts, feelings, or testimony about temples and the ordinances and covenants we can receive there.

• Write a list of goals that can help you prepare to enter the temple and receive additional ordinances and covenants.

Rachel

According to Genesis 28:20–22, Jacob vowed that “if God [would] be with [him]” (verse 20), he would serve Him as his God. As part of this vow, Jacob committed to pay “the tenth” (tithing) to the Lord (see verse 22). Remember that the Lord sets the conditions of the covenants we make with Him.

Genesis 29:1–14 explains that when Jacob arrived in Haran he met Rachel, one of Laban’s daughters, at a well. Laban welcomed Jacob to stay at his house.

Read Genesis 29:15–20, looking for what Jacob was willing to do so he could marry Rachel.

Jacob’s Example

Jacob’s years of labor demonstrated not only his love for Rachel but also his commitment to marrying in the covenant as his father, Isaac, had instructed him to do (see Genesis 28:1–4).

According to Genesis 29:21–29, after Jacob worked seven years to marry Rachel, Laban tricked him into marrying his older daughter, Leah, instead. Laban justified his actions by claiming that the oldest daughter should be married first. Laban told Jacob he could still marry Rachel after the weeklong wedding feast for Leah, but Jacob would have to agree to work for him another seven years. Jacob agreed to these conditions. Remember that the Lord approved of Jacob’s plural marriages (see D&C 132:37).

4. What does the example of Jacob in Genesis 29:18–20 teach us about what can we do to obtain the blessings the Lord has promised us?

Blessings from God

The example of Jacob may have helped you identify a principle similar to the following: We must work diligently and be patient as we seek to obtain the blessings the Lord has promised us.

Read Genesis 29:30–35 and Genesis 30:1–2, looking for the difficulties Jacob’s family experienced. The word hated as used in verse 31 was translated from the Hebrew word sahnay, which means “loved less.” You may wish to write this definition in the margin of your scriptures or to make an electronic note of it.

Jacob’s Wives and Children

In Old Testament times, it was considered a great honor for a wife to bear a male child. Because of this emphasis, Leah and Rachel developed a competitive spirit—and they also experienced disappointment and frustration. Genesis 30:3–21 explains that because Rachel could not have children, she gave Jacob her servant Bilhah to marry. Leah, afraid that she would not be able to have any more children, likewise gave Jacob her servant Zilpah to marry.

Eventually Jacob and his wives had twelve sons and one daughter. The twelve sons’ posterity became known as the twelve tribes of Israel.

Read Genesis 30:22, looking for how Rachel was finally able to bear a child.

What can we learn from verse 22 that could help us when we experience challenges?

An Important Reminder

From Genesis 30:22 we can identify the principle that when we experience challenges, we should realize that God does not forget us.

We read in Genesis 30:25–43 that because Jacob was faithful to his covenants, the Lord blessed him by increasing his wealth in preparation for his return to his homeland.

Identified Truths

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• If we marry in the covenant and remain faithful, then we will receive the blessings of Abraham.

• We must receive the saving ordinances of the gospel and keep the associated covenants in order to return to the presence of the Lord.

• The temple is the house of God and the gate to eternal life.

• We must work diligently and be patient as we seek to obtain the blessings the Lord has promised us.

• When we experience challenges, we should realize that God does not forget us.

Talk with a parent or leader you know about the blessings he or she has received from making and keeping sacred covenants. Afterward, record your thoughts in a study journal or in your Notes on LDS.org.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) a; (2) c, d