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

Exodus 24; 32–34: The Justice, Mercy, and Long-suffering of the Lord

“Exodus 24; 32–34: The Justice, Mercy, and Long-suffering of the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Exodus 24; 32–34: The Justice, Mercy, and Long-suffering of the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34: Lesson 51

Exodus 24; 32–34

The Justice, Mercy, and Long-Suffering of the Lord

Mural depicting prophets and events from the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. This part of the mural depicts Moses holding the stones of the Ten Commandments. The Israelites can be seen in the background with the golden calf.

How has the Savior’s justice, mercy, and long-suffering worked together to bless your life? When Moses returned from the presence of the Lord, he found that the Israelites had broken the covenants they had made and were worshipping a golden calf. The Israelites suffered the consequences of this sin, but the Lord demonstrates His justice, mercy, and long-suffering toward those who repent and return to Him. This lesson can help students understand that the Lord is just, merciful, and long-suffering.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder how they have seen the Lord’s justice, love, and long-suffering (patience) in their lives. You could invite them to visit with a family member or friend about how the Lord’s justice and mercy work together to bless all of His children.

Possible Learning Activities

The Lord is just, merciful, and long-suffering

Consider displaying a picture of the Savior. Discuss the following question.

What word would you use to describe the Savior’s character?

Invite students to write their word on the board. Consider selecting a couple of examples and inviting the students who wrote the words to describe why they selected that attribute of the Savior.

To help the children of Israel understand Him, the Lord revealed some essential elements of His character.

Read Exodus 34:6–7, looking for attributes of the Savior.

What did you discover?

Among the attributes students might identify, emphasize the truth that the Lord is just, merciful, and long-suffering. You might help students understand that “longsuffering” (verse 6) describes the Lord’s patience with us.

You could share with students that they will study how the children of Israel experienced the Lord’s justice, mercy, and long-suffering. They will also study why it is important for us to understand these truths about the Lord.

The Israelites are the Lord’s covenant people

The following scenario is used throughout the lesson to help students understand how the Israelites’ story could be relevant to youth today. The scenario uses the name “Kylie,” but you could invite students to select a name and to add or change the details of the story.

Kylie, a young woman at your school, has been learning about the Savior’s gospel and has decided to make the changes necessary to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She desires to make a covenant with God to keep His commandments.

Help students recall that after their deliverance from Egypt, the Lord brought the children of Israel to Mount Sinai to make a covenant with Him.

Read Exodus 24:3–8, looking for how the Israelites might have felt similarly to Kylie.

What stands out to you?

It might be helpful to explain to students that the sprinkling of blood on the altar and on the people (see Exodus 24:6, 8) was a symbolic, physical representation that the Israelites were willing to be the Lord’s covenant people.

The Lord desired to bless the children of Israel with the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–23). Moses returned to Mount Sinai to receive the Lord’s instructions for these ordinances and plans for the tabernacle.

Breaking our covenants and the consequences

Read Exodus 32:1–8, looking for what the Israelites did while Moses was on the mountain receiving direction from God.

What did you discover?

Composite of images of Moses, the golden calf and the Israelites in the wilderness.

Why do you think building and worshipping the golden calf was such a serious sin? (See Exodus 20:2–7.)

Make sure students understand that the Israelites broke the covenant they had just made with the Lord.

You could share another portion of the scenario that parallels what happened with the children of Israel and is more relevant to youth. Students could provide examples of what Kylie might have done to break the covenant she made at baptism to obey God’s commandments.

After her baptism, Kylie began spending time with her old friends, and it led to old habits. At first, the mistakes she made seem to be small. However, before long, she had returned to old, familiar ways. She broke the covenant she made at baptism.

What might have influenced Kylie’s decision?

The Lord’s law of justice

Read Exodus 32:15–20, looking for consequences Israel suffered because of their sin.

What did you find?

Help students understand that although we can use our agency to sin, the Lord is just. Therefore, we cannot escape the consequences of our sins. It might be helpful to explain that Moses broke the tablets that contained instructions for Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances (see Exodus 32:15–19; Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 34:1–2 [in the Bible appendix]). Because of their decisions, the children of Israel were not worthy to receive these blessings from the Lord. Moses returned to the presence of the Lord. The Lord instructed Moses to institute the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood instead (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:24–26). You could also mention that Moses placed the tabernacle outside the camp (see Exodus 33:7), symbolizing Israel losing the presence of the Lord.
What are some of the spiritual and temporal consequences Kylie might face for breaking her baptismal covenant?
How do consequences demonstrate the Lord’s justice, mercy, and long-suffering?

You might want to point out that, like the Israelites, Kylie might miss out on blessings that come from priesthood ordinances. She could also lose the constant companionship of the Lord’s Spirit.

The Lord’s law of mercy

Help students understand that the Lord reassured Israel that they were still His people (see Exodus 33:12–19).

Review Exodus 34:6–7, and think about why it might have been important for the Lord to remind the children of Israel that He is just, merciful, and long-suffering.

How did the Lord demonstrate His mercy and long-suffering with the children of Israel?
How might Kylie see the Lord’s mercy and long-suffering in her life?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how the Savior’s mercy satisfies the law of justice:

13:53

Without the Savior’s Atonement, the eternal principle of justice would require punishment. Because of the Savior’s Atonement, mercy can prevail for those who have repented, and it can allow them to return to the presence of God. We would do well to ponder this wonderful doctrine.

None can return to God by his or her own good works alone; we all need the benefit of the Savior’s sacrifice. All have sinned, and it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can obtain mercy and live with God. (“Be True to God and His Work,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 119)

What parts of this statement might you share with Kylie?

Asking questions that help students understand how the Lord demonstrates His love, power, and mercy in their lives can increase their connection to Him. One way to do this is to invite students to answer the following question.

For additional training, see “Help learners recognize the Lord’s love, power, and mercy in their lives” in Teacher Development Skills.
What evidence have you seen of the Savior’s justice, mercy, and long-suffering in your life or in the life of someone you know?

Demonstrate understanding

This activity can help students summarize what they have learned today. You could invite them to finish Kylie’s story. Consider displaying the following prompts for students to complete.

Because of her experiences, Kylie may have learned that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ .
Because of what she learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Kylie decides to .

Consider inviting a few willing students to share how they might finish Kylie’s story with the class. After students have had a chance to share their responses, you could share how you have seen the Lord’s justice, mercy, and long-suffering in your life.

Additional Resources

How are we blessed by God’s justice?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified:

One of God’s attributes is justice, and we would not have the faith—because of fear—to live righteously or to love better or to repent more readily if somehow we didn’t think that justice would count for us, if somehow we thought God would change His mind and decide there was another set of rules. Because we know that God is just and would cease to be God if He weren’t so, we have the faith to go forward, knowing that we will not be the victims of whimsy or caprice or a bad day or a bad joke. That assurance is very encouraging. …

I know it isn’t easy to go back and undo and make a new beginning, but I believe with all my heart that it is easier and surely more satisfying to begin anew than to go on and try to believe that justice will not take its toll. (“The Justice and Mercy of God,” Ensign, Sept. 2013, 18, 19)

Exodus 34:7, footnote e. What does it mean that the Lord will “by no means clear the guilty” (rebellious)?

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Those who deliberately choose wickedness, who consciously procrastinate repentance, or who in any premeditated or knowing way break the commandments, planning for easy repentance, will be judged by God and a “bright recollection of all [their] guilt” [Alma 11:43]. We cannot knowingly sin on Saturday, then expect automatic forgiveness by partaking of the sacrament on Sunday. … We should none of us put off repentance. The blessings of repentance begin as we begin to repent. (“Happy and Forever,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 84)

Is there a difference between the way the Lord views weakness compared to rebellion?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment, when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy. (“Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 83)

Exodus 24:6–8. Why did Moses sprinkle blood on the altar and on the children of Israel?

The blood that Moses sprinkled on the altar represented the blood of Jesus Christ, which He would shed at Gethsemane and on the cross. When Moses sprinkled blood on the people, it symbolized both the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ through the covenant they had made and the seriousness of those covenants. Sprinkling blood showed that both God and the people were mutually bound by this covenant. (See “Sacrifice: In Similitude of the Savior,” Liahona, Sept. 2022, digital only.)

Supplemental Learning Activities

“Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet”

Students might benefit from a better understanding of how justice, love, and mercy work together. You could show the video “Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet,” from time code 0:00 to 3:39. This video depicts President Holland’s story of two brothers in Southern Utah. Consider pausing the video right as the older brother jumps (time code 3:39). Then ask students what the consequences would be if the older brother only had “justice.” Invite students to search for scriptures that explain what the law of justice requires of all people. If students need additional guidance, you could display examples like Mosiah 2:38; and Alma 42:11–13, 18.

5:37

Then you could invite students to ponder how the Savior’s atoning sacrifice allows the law of mercy to redeem us from our fallen state. Consider showing the remainder of the video, from time code 3:39 to 5:36. Invite students to look for how the law of mercy fulfills the law of justice to save us from the consequences of sin. You might invite students to find a scripture that teaches about God’s mercy. Examples could include Deuteronomy 4:31; Mosiah 29:20; and Alma 34:16; 42:15.

5:37

“The Mediator”

If students would benefit from a depiction of how the Savior’s mercy pays the demands of justice, you could show the video “The Mediator” (10:44). This video uses the example of a young man who incurs a debt he cannot repay on his own. It shows how the Savior’s atoning sacrifice fulfills the demands of justice.

10:47