Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Lessons 1–2
Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 1–2
  Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 3–6
  Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Lessons 7–9
  Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Lessons 10–12
  Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Lessons 13–15
  Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Lessons 16–18
  Moses 7
- Lessons 19–21
  Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Lessons 22–24
  Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Lessons 25–28
  Genesis 18–23
- Lessons 29–32
  Genesis 24–33
- Lessons 33–34
  Genesis 37–41
- Lessons 35–37
  Genesis 42–50
- Lessons 38–40
  Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Lessons 41–44
  Exodus 7–13
- Lessons 45–47
  Exodus 14–18
- Lessons 48–51
  Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Lessons 52–55
  Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Lessons 56–57
  Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Lessons 58–60
  Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Lessons 61–64
  Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Lessons 65–67
  Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Lessons 68–70
  Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- Lessons 71–73
  1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- Lessons 74–76
  1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- Lessons 77–80
  2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- Lessons 81–82
  1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- Lessons 83–85
  2 Kings 2–7
- Lessons 86–89
  2 Kings 16–25
- Lessons 90–91
  2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Lessons 92–93
  Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Lessons 94–96
  Esther
- Lessons 97–99
  Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Lessons 100–103
  Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Lessons 104–106
  Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Lessons 107–108
  Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Lessons 109–112
  Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Lessons 113–116
  Isaiah 1–12
- Lessons 117–118
  Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Lessons 119–122
  Isaiah 40–49
- Lessons 123–125
  Isaiah 50–57
- Lessons 126–129
  Isaiah 58–66
- Lessons 130–133
  Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Lessons 134–137
  Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Lessons 138–141
  Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Lessons 142–145
  Daniel 1–7
- Lessons 146–148
  Hosea; Joel
- Lessons 149–151
  Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Lessons 152–154
  Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Lessons 155–157
  Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Lessons 158–160
  Malachi
Lessons 166–170
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Lessons 166–170
  Scripture Study Skills
- Lessons 171–176
  For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Lessons 177–180
  Building Self–Reliance
- Lessons 181–187
  Physical and Emotional Health
- Lessons 188–191
  Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Lessons 192–195
  Succeed in School
- Lessons 196–200
  Missionary Preparation
- Lessons 201–204
  Temple Preparation
- Lessons 205–208
  Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

The Plan of Salvation: The Savior Is Central to the Father’s Plan

“The Plan of Salvation: The Savior Is Central to the Father’s Plan,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“The Plan of Salvation: The Savior Is Central to the Father’s Plan,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Welcome to the Old Testament: Lesson 2

The Plan of Salvation

The Savior Is Central to the Father’s Plan

Hand of Christus statue, against creation mural at the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center. (horiz)

In our premortal realm, we “shouted for joy” (Job 38:7) as we learned about Heavenly Father’s plan for our eternal progress. Jehovah was chosen to be our Savior and Redeemer, providing the way for us to return to the Father and become as He is. This lesson can help students understand Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and the central role of Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder what they know about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and the Savior’s central role in our eternal progress. Students could write down elements of the plan of salvation they are familiar with and practice explaining them to a family member or friend.

Possible Learning Activities

Answering life’s questions

To begin class, consider displaying and sharing the following.

Your friend Jonathan approaches you and asks:

Where did we come from?
What is the purpose of life?
What happens after we die?

Invite students to reflect on what they already know about Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The following study journal activity is one way you could do this. Be sure students understand that they will have an opportunity to practice answering Jonathan’s questions later in the lesson.

In your study journal, answer the following questions to help you reflect on what you already understand about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

How confident are you in your ability to answer Jonathan’s questions?
What questions do you have about Heavenly Father’s plan?

As you study today, seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help increase your understanding of Heavenly Father’s plan and the Savior’s central role.

Jesus Christ is central to the Father’s plan of happiness

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained the Savior’s role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation:

What has Jesus Christ done for each of us? He has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our Heavenly Father. … His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is the central figure. (“What Has Our Savior Done for Us?,” Liahona, May 2021, 75)

How would you summarize President Oaks’s teaching as a statement of truth?

Help students identify a truth such as Jesus Christ is central to Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and our eternal progress. It might be helpful to write this truth on the board.

Heavenly Father’s plan and the Savior’s central role

As you study about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, look for the following:

How Jesus Christ plays a central role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.
Truths you could share with Jonathan to help answer his questions.

Record your insights in your study journal.

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

After students have finished studying, provide an opportunity for them to share the insights and understanding they gained. Students could practice sharing what they learned by role-playing how they would answer each of Jonathan’s three questions. You could also invite them to discuss the following questions with a partner or together with the class.

What did you learn about the central role Jesus Christ plays in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation?
What truths or teachings could you share with Jonathan that could help answer his questions?

Think about what you learned

Consider concluding the lesson by inviting the students to reflect quietly on what they felt about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the plan of salvation. Invite them to consider any actions they have felt prompted to take. They could record their insight and spiritual impressions in their study journals.

Additional Resources

How did I demonstrate my faith in Jesus Christ before I was born?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

16:3

In the Council in Heaven, all the spirit children of God were introduced to the Father’s plan, including its mortal consequences and trials, its heavenly helps, and its glorious destiny. We saw the end from the beginning. All of the myriads of mortals who have been born on this earth chose the Father’s plan and fought for it in the heavenly contest that followed. Many also made covenants with the Father concerning what they would do in mortality. (“The Great Plan,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 93)

What is the spirit world like?

President Dallin H. Oaks explained:

14:48

Of course, we know from the scriptures that after our bodies die we continue to live as spirits in the spirit world. The scriptures also teach that this spirit world is divided between those who have been “righteous” or “just” during life and those who have been wicked. They also describe how some faithful spirits teach the gospel to those who have been wicked or rebellious (see 1 Peter 3:19; Doctrine and Covenants 138:19–20, 29, 32, 37). Most important, modern revelation reveals that the work of salvation goes forward in the spirit world (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:30–34, 58), and although we are urged not to procrastinate our repentance during mortality (see Alma 13:27), we are taught that some repentance is possible there (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:58). (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 26)

Is it possible for me to receive the blessings of exaltation?

Elder J. Devn Cornish of the Seventy testified:

I witness to you that if you will really try and will not rationalize or rebel—repenting often and pleading for the grace, or help, of Christ—you positively are going to be “good enough,” that is, acceptable before the Lord; you are going to make it to the celestial kingdom, being perfect in Christ; and you are going to receive the blessings and glory and joy that God desires for each of His precious children—including specifically you and me. (“Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 32)

Where can I learn more about the plan of salvation?

To learn more about the plan of salvation, consider studying “Chapter 3: Lesson 2—Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation” from Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2023).

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternative beginning option

To help students see how Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation provides direction in our lives, you could display an image of a path or road with a blank signpost pointing in different directions.

Invite students to imagine they were on a journey and came upon a blank signpost pointing in different directions. Students could discuss what might make this situation difficult and what information would make the journey easier. You might ask a discussion question like:

How could this situation be an analogy for someone who does not know Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness? What questions could that person ask?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

The Father’s plan of happiness is designed to provide direction for His children, to help them experience enduring joy, and to bring them safely home to Him with resurrected, exalted bodies. (“Watchful unto Prayer Continually,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 33–34)

Students could practice explaining how Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation gives direction and purpose to our lives.

The role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan

To help students understand the role the Savior plays in each part of the Father’s plan, you could invite them to copy the following chart in their study journal. Students could study the scriptures of each section, looking for truths about our Savior’s role in each part of the plan. You might invite students to write a statement of truth under each heading in the chart.

Heavenly Father’s plan and the role of Jesus Christ
Heavenly Father’s plan and the role of Jesus Christ Christ’s Premortal Role	John 1:3; Moses 4:1–2; Abraham 3:24-27
Heavenly Father’s plan and the role of Jesus Christ Christ’s Role in Mortality	Isaiah 53:3–5; John 13:15; Alma 7:11–13
Heavenly Father’s plan and the role of Jesus Christ Christ’s Role in the Spirit World and Eternal Glory	1 Corinthians 15:22; Mormon 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 138:57–58

Students may identify truths such as Jesus Christ is the Creator. Jesus Christ sets a perfect example for us. Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. Jesus Christ overcame death for all humanity through the resurrection.

Invite students to select one of the truths they discover and share with a partner or the class how that truth could help a young adult with the challenges of life.

Plan of salvation video options

For an overview, you could invite students to illustrate or write the elements they remember about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. Students could then watch the video, “What is the Purpose and Meaning of Life? Now You Know” (7:43). You could invite students to share what they noticed they missed as they wrote or illustrated the elements of the plan.

7:43

To study each element of the plan of salvation, you could share the following videos.

Premortal Life: To help students understand Heavenly Father’s plan and visualize the Savior’s premortal role in the plan, consider showing the video “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” from time code 0:00 to 2:16.

4:8

Mortal Life: To help students understand that Jesus Christ can help us in any circumstance during our lifetime, consider showing the video “Why We Need a Savior” (2:15).

2:15

Postmortal Life: To help students understand what happens when we die and how the Savior helps us overcome death, consider showing the video “What Happens After We Die?” (1:40).

1:41