Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Old Testament Lessons
Title Page
Lessons 1–2
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
- 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

2 Kings 2–4: The Lord Gives Elisha Power and Authority

“2 Kings 2–4: The Lord Gives Elisha Power and Authority,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“2 Kings 2–4: The Lord Gives Elisha Power and Authority,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

2 Kings 2–7: Lesson 83

2 Kings 2–4

The Lord Gives Elisha Power and Authority

The Old Testament prophet Elijah (acting on the instructions of Elisha) depicted smiting the waters of the River Jordan with his cloak in order for the river to part and allow passage on dry ground.

When we accept callings in the Lord’s Church, we receive His authority to serve. When we strive to diligently serve and become more like Him, He will bless us with His power. The account of the Lord blessing the prophet Elisha with power and authority after taking Elijah into heaven illustrates this truth. This lesson can help students understand that the Lord gives authority to the people He calls and power to those who serve righteously.

Student preparation: Invite students to think about a time when they or someone they know has served in a Church calling. Invite students to ponder the question, “When have I witnessed the Lord’s power and authority in fulfilling Church callings?”

Possible Learning Activities

The source of power and authority

A doctor meets with her patients and checks blood pressure.

Consider beginning class by discussing where authority to do certain things comes from. You might do this by showing an image of a doctor wearing a medical coat or in a medical setting (or another professional with authority to act in their position) and asking the following questions.

What are some of this person’s responsibilities?
Who gave them authority to fulfill their role?
What gives you confidence to trust them?

Consider showing an image of the current prophet and asking the previous questions again about him.

To help students assess what they understand about serving with the Lord’s power and authority in callings, you could invite them to do the following.

In your study journal or Notes section in Gospel Library, answer the following questions. As you consider your answers, listen for impressions from the Holy Ghost about what the Lord wants you to understand about serving with the Lord’s power and authority in callings.

What do I understand about receiving the Lord’s power and authority to serve in callings?
How could this understanding influence how I respond when I or someone else receives a calling from the Lord?

Elisha receives God’s power and authority

You might explain that the Lord revealed to Elijah that Elisha would become a prophet (see 1 Kings 19:16, 19).

What concerns might Elisha have felt as he prepared for his calling from the Lord?

Elisha knew that the Lord would soon take Elijah away (2 Kings 2:1–3). On Elijah’s final day, Elisha followed Elijah from city to city until the two arrived at the Jordan River.

To help students discover what happened at the Jordan River, you could organize the class into small groups. On the board, you could draw the four images below or summarize each in a few words in random order. Invite each group to read 2 Kings 2:8–15 and organize the images or summary of the events in chronological order. You might need to explain that a mantle is a cloak.

Elijah Power and Authority, holding the mantle

Elijah Power and Authority, riding the chariot

How did the Lord show Elisha and others that He had given Elisha power and authority in his calling?

You might explain that the mantle used by Elijah and Elisha did not give them power and authority but represented God’s power and authority. In the Church today, we sometimes refer to someone’s calling or authority as their “mantle.” For example, when a new prophet is sustained as President of the Church, he receives the mantle of authority.

It also might be helpful to point out that the authority to serve in callings comes from the Lord through the men who hold priesthood keys.
What truth can we learn from Elisha’s experience about what the Lord does for people He calls to serve Him?

Among truths students may offer, point out that the Lord gives authority and power to people whom He calls.

Serving with God’s power and authority

To help students understand what it means to serve in callings with the Lord’s power and authority, you could write Priesthood Authority and Priesthood Power on the board. Share the following statement from Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While this statement applies directly to missionary callings, remind students that the Lord gives authority to the people He calls to serve in any calling and power to those who serve Him righteously.

Under Christ’s direction, the authority to preach the gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. When you are set apart as a missionary, you received this authority. With it comes the right, privilege, and responsibility to represent the Lord and teach His gospel. …

In addition to authority, you need spiritual power to fulfill your calling. God gives spiritual power as you consistently work to strengthen your testimony of Him, Jesus Christ, and the gospel truths you teach. He bestows spiritual power as you pray, study the scriptures, and seek to fulfill your missionary purpose. He grants spiritual power as you strive to keep His commandments and the covenants you made when you received the ordinances of salvation (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:24). (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, [2023], 3)

What do you learn about the Lord’s power and authority from these statements?
Why might this be helpful to remember when you receive a calling from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Why might this be helpful to remember when you sustain others who receive callings?

Demonstrate understanding

To help students summarize what they learned, consider organizing the class into pairs for the following activity.

Choose one or more of the following situations and discuss what you have learned today that could help the person with their concerns about a calling. In each response, include scriptures, statements from Church leaders, or insights you have received from the Spirit as you’ve studied the story of Elisha’s call to serve.

A new bishop is called and sustained. His son knows that he is not perfect.
A new Young Women president is called to serve. A young woman had a great relationship with the previous president and doesn’t know the new one at all.
A young man or young woman is called to serve as the president of their quorum or class. They do not feel they know enough to fulfill this calling well.
A missionary is called to serve in a country where the people speak a different language. They are concerned about how effective they will really be in sharing the gospel.

Think of a way to have students share their responses with each other. One way is to have each pair share with a different group. After everyone has a chance to share, you could invite students to share what they really liked about the other group’s response.

To conclude, you might testify of truths you have discussed today.

Additional Resources

What if I feel inadequate to serve in a call from the Lord?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

15:31

The Lord will magnify what you say and what you do in the eyes of the people you serve. … What you say and do will carry hope and give direction to people far beyond your natural abilities and your own understanding. That miracle has been a mark of the Lord’s Church in every dispensation. (“Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 77)

What does it mean to serve with God’s authority?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency shared the following experience:

A member of the Church brought her neighbor to my office. The neighbor’s husband was a Protestant minister with a large congregation. For many years, this couple had served the Lord with great diligence in their Christian ministry. He had baptized many people into that church.

Now, through the influence of his Latter-day Saint neighbors, he had read the Book of Mormon and was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was ready to resign his ministry and join the restored Church. But first, he and his wife needed an answer to their question regarding priesthood authority. Reminding me that her husband had baptized many people, his wife asked, “Are you telling me that my husband didn’t have any authority to baptize all the people that he baptized?”

The Spirit prompted my answer, as it will in these situations.

“No,” I said. “I’m sure your husband had authority to baptize all the people that he baptized. He had all the authority that his church could give him. He could perform marriages. He could make people members of the congregation. He could hire a contractor to put a new roof on your church. But that isn’t the kind of authority we’re discussing. The authority in your question is the authority that Jesus gave to Peter, that whatsoever he did on earth would be honored in heaven (see Matthew 16:19). And because that divine authority must be traceable to Apostles, it exists only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (“The Sure Witness of Modern Prophets,” Liahona, Oct. 2023, 5)

Do women have priesthood power and authority in their callings?

Sister Jean B. Bingham, then Relief Society General President, taught:

Recently we have been taught that women who are set apart under the direction of one holding priesthood keys operate with priesthood authority in their callings. …

Although women are not ordained to a priesthood office, … women are blessed with priesthood power as they keep their covenants, and they operate with priesthood authority when they are set apart to a calling. (“United in Accomplishing God’s Work” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 60–63)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Being released from a calling

To help students understand that the Lord gives authority to those He calls and power to those who keep their covenants, you could ask students to think about a time when they or someone they know was released from a calling.

Then share the following video clip from President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency.

15:31

What does this teach us about the authority and power that people have while they are serving in a calling from the Lord?

Faith in the Lord’s prophet

The Lord gives His chosen prophets power and authority to fulfill His purposes. To help students understand the importance of exercising faith in the Lord’s prophet, you could share the account of Elisha multiplying the widow’s oil to help save her family.

Invite students to read 2 Kings 4:1–7, looking for what Elisha told the woman to do. You might ask students what the woman did to exercise faith in Elisha’s counsel and what we can learn about the Lord from the blessing the woman received.

You might share the following counsel from President Russell M. Nelson and ask students what they learn about acting in faith on counsel from the Lord’s prophet.

You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet. But when you know a prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your own witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed. (“Stand as True Millennials,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct 2016, 53)