Introduction to Home-Study Seminary

Home-study seminary is designed to help you strengthen your understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and apply its teachings in your daily life through regular scripture study. For your study this school year, you will first complete reading assignments from the scripture text for this course—the Old Testament—and then you will complete the individual lessons. Once a week you will meet with a seminary teacher to submit your work and participate in a weekly lesson.

Seminary is a daily religious education program. Prayerfully studying your scriptures should be a daily practice. You will need to work on your seminary assignments each school day.

This course contains 160 lessons that you will need to complete. Each week you will complete five lessons. You will be responsible for completing four of them on your own, and your teacher will select one lesson per week to study together with your class in your weekly, face-to-face lesson. The reading chart later in this introduction section shows what you should study each week.

The lessons in this material should each take about 30–40 minutes to complete, in addition to time spent on daily scripture study. The work for each lesson includes reading and writing assignments. You will turn in all of your written assignments to your teacher, who will provide you with regular feedback on your work. These writing assignments are marked by the following icon:

Your teacher will help you understand when the work for each week is due. Carefully considering your answers before you write them will help you have meaningful experiences as you learn and apply truths from the scriptures.

You should have two study journals (or two notebooks), separate from your personal journal, in which you will write your responses to the assignments included in the student material activities. Each week that you meet with your teacher, you should turn in the study journal containing the completed assignments from the study guide activities you completed for that week. Your teacher will read and respond to the assignments and return that study journal to you the following week. You could also write your responses on paper in a loose-leaf binder and turn in the pages you did that week. Then, when your teacher returns the pages, you could put them back into the binder.

Using the Old Testament Home-Study Student Material to Guide Your Study

The Old Testament Seminary Student Material contains two types of lessons—sequential scripture lessons (lessons that lead you through the scripture text in the order it is arranged in the Old Testament) and doctrinal mastery lessons. The sequential scripture lessons and the doctrinal mastery lessons are separate and distinct but complementary lessons. Both are important elements of your seminary experience.

Sequential Scripture Lessons

Sequential scripture lessons focus on a scripture block rather than on a particular concept, point of doctrine, or principle. This format will help you study the scriptures sequentially and learn doctrine and principles as they arise naturally from the scripture text.

In the body of each sequential scripture lesson, you will find that key doctrine and principles are bolded. Key doctrine and principles are identified in the lessons because (1) they reflect a central message of the scripture block, (2) they may be particularly applicable to your needs and circumstances, or (3) they are key truths that can help you deepen your relationship with the Lord. However, be aware that the Old Testament teaches numerous truths beyond those identified in the lessons. President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that the scriptures contain “endless combinations of truths that will fit the need of every individual in every circumstance” (“The Great Plan of Happiness” [address given at the Church Educational System Symposium, Aug. 10, 1993]; see also Teaching Seminary: Preservice Readings [2004], 69).

Doctrinal Mastery Lessons

Doctrinal Mastery is intended to help you “[learn] and [apply] divine principles for acquiring spiritual knowledge” and is also meant to help you “[master] the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the scripture passages in which that doctrine is taught” (Doctrinal Mastery Core Document [2018], 1).

Your main text for your study of Doctrinal Mastery will be the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. This document (available on LDS.org) consists of (1) an introduction that explains what Doctrinal Mastery is and how it will be helpful to you, (2) instruction on principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, and (3) a section on nine key doctrinal topics. Each doctrinal topic includes statements of doctrine that are relevant to your life and important for you to understand, believe, and apply.

Some of the doctrine and principles in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” and “Doctrinal Topics” sections of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document are supported by doctrinal mastery scripture passages and are called key statements of doctrine. There are 25 doctrinal mastery passages for each course of study (Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants and Church History), for a total of 100 passages. A list of these passages is included at the end of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document and on the next page.

The three main components of doctrinal mastery lessons are “Understanding the Doctrine” segments, “Practice Exercises,” and “Doctrinal Mastery Cumulative Reviews.” While completing the “Understanding the Doctrine” activities, you will focus on studying the key statements of doctrine and their supporting doctrinal mastery passages.

The practice exercises will help you understand how the doctrinal statements you have been learning are relevant to our day. The exercises also emphasize how the doctrine you have learned can bless and help you in living the gospel and will help you learn how to explain your beliefs to others in a nonthreatening, inoffensive way.

The “Doctrinal Mastery Cumulative Reviews” are designed to help you “[know] how the key statements of doctrine are taught in doctrinal mastery passages, … remember and locate those passages[,] [and explain] each key statement of doctrine clearly, using the associated doctrinal mastery passages” (Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, 2).

Following is a list of all 100 doctrinal mastery passages organized by course.

Old Testament Reading Chart

Welcome to the Old Testament

What Is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament contains the writings of ancient prophets and others who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, as well as the words of other ancient writers. It is a record of God’s dealings with His children from the Creation to about 400 BC. The Old Testament gives an account of the Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the great Flood in the days of Noah, and the establishment of God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom the Lord renamed Israel. It records the history of God’s covenant people, the descendants of Jacob, who are called “the house of Israel” or “the children of Israel.” It states how God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage through the prophet Moses and led them to a promised land.

The Old Testament also contains the prophecies and warnings of the Lord’s ancient prophets, whom He called to preach repentance to the children of Israel. Through His prophets, the Lord gave the Israelites laws, covenants, and doctrine to prepare them for His coming and teach them how to return to God and how to live in God’s presence. For Latter-day Saints, the Bible stands alongside the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as holy scripture (see Articles of Faith 1:8).

Why Is Studying the Old Testament Important?

President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the importance of studying the Old Testament:

“In the Old Testament course, you learn of the Creation and fall of man, the foundation for the temple endowment. You learn what a prophet is. You become familiar with such words as obedience, sacrifice, covenant, Aaronic, Melchizedek, and priesthood.

“The whole basis for Judaic-Christian law, indeed for Islam, is taught to you.

“The ‘why’ of tithes and offerings is explained. You read prophecies of the coming Messiah and of the restoration of the gospel. You see Elijah demonstrate the sealing power and hear Malachi prophesy that Elijah will be sent with the keys of the sealing authority.

“In seminary you learn to know the Old Testament. Now almost abandoned by the Christian world, it remains to us a testament of Jesus Christ” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Library of the Lord,” Ensign, May 1990, 37–38).

Like all scripture, the Old Testament teaches and testifies of Jesus Christ and of His divinity. He is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. The laws and ordinances Jesus Christ gave His people anciently helped them to have faith in Him as their Messiah and Redeemer. A sincere study of the Old Testament can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and help us learn to rely upon His teachings and His Atonement to receive salvation.

Furthermore, the Old Testament contains prophecies about the work Jesus Christ will do in the last days before His Second Coming. The Old Testament records how the ancient Israelites were conquered, led away into captivity, and scattered throughout other nations because of their sins. Through His ancient prophets the Lord promised to gather the scattered Israelites in the last days. They would come to a knowledge of the gospel and be restored to their lands of inheritance. We are living in the days when many of these promises are being fulfilled.

The Old Testament also contains some of the most well-known accounts in history. As we become more familiar with them, we can find greater meaning as we study passages in the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants that refer to these accounts. For example, we can better understand the teachings in John 3:14–15; 1 Nephi 17:40–42; Alma 33:18–22; and Helaman 8:14–15 by studying the account of Moses raising a brass serpent in Numbers 21:4–9. But we need to do more than just learn the stories in these accounts. We also need to learn the doctrine and principles taught in these accounts and then apply them in our lives. As you diligently study the Old Testament, you may feel the Holy Spirit touch your heart and help you identify ways to apply these truths in your life. Acting on these promptings will help your testimony of the gospel to grow.

About the Old Testament

The Bible is not one book but a collection of books—the Greek word from which bible is derived originally meant “the books” (see Bible Dictionary, “Bible”). “The Christian Bible has two great divisions, familiarly known as the Old and New Testaments. …

“… In the Old Testament the word testament represents a Hebrew word meaning ‘covenant’” (Bible Dictionary, “Bible”).

In a gospel context, a covenant is a special agreement between the Lord and a person or a group. The Old Covenant is the law the Lord gave to His people anciently. The New Covenant is the law the Lord, Jesus Christ, gave during His mortal ministry. The Old Testament contains scriptures that the Jews of Palestine during the Savior’s mortal ministry had.

When the Old Testament was put together, the books were not always placed in chronological order but were instead grouped according to their subject material. The books are grouped into four main categories:

The Law. The books from Genesis through Deuteronomy are often referred to as “the law.” Because Moses wrote them, they are sometimes called the Pentateuch or “five books of Moses.” Genesis begins with the Creation of the world and Adam and Eve, and Deuteronomy concludes with the end of Moses’s life. These five books describe covenants God made with the ancient Israelites and the commandments these people needed to live to fulfill their part of the covenant.
The History. The books from Joshua through Esther continue to relate the history of the children of Israel for more than 600 years after Moses. These books are commonly called “the history.” They are generally placed in chronological order; however, 1–2 Chronicles are essentially another writer’s version of the same history found in 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings.
The Poetry. The books from Job through Ecclesiastes are filled with teachings and revelations that are written in poetic form; thus, this section is known as “the poetry.” The Song of Solomon is also contained in the poetry section; however, according to the Prophet Joseph Smith, it is not an inspired book (see Bible Dictionary, “Song of Solomon”). The book of Psalms contains the words to various pieces of sacred music.
The Prophets. The books from Isaiah through Malachi contain the teachings of prophets whose ministries occurred during or after the time in which kings ruled over the children of Israel. These books are not in historical order. The prophets warned the children of Israel of their sins and testified of the blessings that come because of obedience to the Lord’s commandments. They prophesied of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would atone for the sins of those who repent, receive the ordinances of salvation, and keep God’s commandments.

The Joseph Smith Translation and the Pearl of Great Price

The Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith to complete a translation, or revision, of the King James Version of the Bible. Joseph Smith began his translation in June 1830 and completed it in July 1833, although he continued to make modifications to the manuscript until shortly before his death. While parts of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s translation were published during his lifetime, his complete inspired translation of the Bible was first published in 1867 by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ). Since 1979, the English Latter-day Saint editions of the King James Version of the Bible have contained hundreds of doctrinally significant passages from the Joseph Smith Translation. (See Robert J. Matthews, “Joseph Smith’s Efforts to Publish His Bible ‘Translation,’” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 57–64; Elizabeth Maki, “Joseph Smith’s Bible Translation: D&C 45, 76, 77, 86, 91,” Revelations in Context series, Mar. 20, 2013, history.lds.org; Bible Dictionary, “ Joseph Smith Translation.”)

Short passages from the Joseph Smith Translation can be found in the footnotes with the designation JST (Joseph Smith Translation), while lengthier passages are included in the Bible appendix.

The book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price is the Prophet Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of Genesis 1:1–6:13. The book of Moses adds greater insight to our understanding of the Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the doctrine of the Atonement, and events in the ministries of Enoch and Noah.

Also included in the Pearl of Great Price is the book of Abraham. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the book of Abraham is an inspired translation of some of the writings of Abraham, which he had recorded on papyrus (see the introduction to the book of Abraham). The book of Abraham gives us more information about his early life and describes the visions he saw of the premortal life, the Council in Heaven, and the planning of the Creation.

As part of the standard works of the Church, the Pearl of Great Price is holy scripture. Both the Joseph Smith Translation and Pearl of Great Price contribute in restoring some of the “plain and precious” truths that have been lost from the Bible (see 1 Nephi 13:20–41).