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

Isaiah 49: “I Have Graven Thee upon the Palms of My Hands”

“Isaiah 49: ‘I Have Graven Thee upon the Palms of My Hands,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Isaiah 49: ‘I Have Graven Thee upon the Palms of My Hands,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Isaiah 40–49: Lesson 121

Isaiah 49

“I Have Graven Thee upon the Palms of My Hands”

The Christus statue in the Salt Lake North Visitors' Center. The sculpture portrays the resurrected Jesus Christ standing with His arms slightly extended. The wounds of the Crucifixion are visible in the hands, feet and side of the figure. The holdings include details of various parts (such as the hands or feet) of the sculpture.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know you personally and perfectly. Yet sometimes we see the challenges of mortality and cry, “The Lord has forsaken me” (see Isaiah 49:14). Isaiah’s words reassure us that we have been graven upon the Savior’s hands and will never be forsaken or forgotten (see Isaiah 49:16). This lesson can help students feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and will not forget us.

Student preparation: Invite students to come to class having pondered experiences where they felt Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ had remembered them. They might ask a family member or friend about experiences feeling remembered by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Remembered by the Lord

Consider beginning class by displaying an image of the tiny flowers called “forget-me-nots.”

Sharing a childhood memory, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, said:

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As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father. (“Forget Me Not,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 122)

What are some reasons a teenager might feel forgotten by others or by Heavenly Father?
What do you already know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that you would want to share with someone who feels they are forgotten?

President Uchtdorf continued:

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Years later I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten. And I know something else: as an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart—neither are you! You are not forgotten. (“Forget Me Not,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 122)

Ponder your own experiences with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you answer the following questions:

How confident do you feel that They know and remember you?
What experiences have you or someone you know had that help you better understand how perfectly They know and remember you?

As you study Isaiah 49 today, seek impressions from the Holy Ghost testifying that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will never forget you.

The Lord will not forget Zion

You could point out that Isaiah sometimes writes in such a way that his words could be expressed by a variety of different people, including the Savior, Isaiah himself, ancient covenant Israel, or even modern-day covenant Israel. Because of this poetic style, Isaiah’s writings have wide applicability to different settings and circumstances. That is why Nephi felt very comfortable likening Isaiah’s words to himself and his people (see 1 Nephi 19:23).

You might also explain to students that when He called Isaiah to preach repentance, the Lord knew the message would not be well received (see Isaiah 6:9–10). You could ask students how they would feel about a similar assignment.

Read Isaiah 49:4–5, thinking about why Isaiah may have felt this way. Then read them thinking about how God’s covenant people could feel this way.

Even when we suffer, what do these verses help us remember about the Lord?

Read Isaiah 49:13–16, looking for what the Lord wanted His covenant people (Zion) to understand.

How would you summarize this as a statement of truth?

Students may use their own words, but help them recognize the truth that the Lord loves us and will never forget or forsake us.

In preparation for the following journal activity, you might display images of the Savior on the cross and the nail prints in His resurrected hands.

Christ hanging on a cross at Calvary. Two thieves, also hanging on crosses are at the left and right of Christ. Numerous observers, including Mary, the mother of Christ, Mary Magdalene, other mourners and Roman soldiers are gathered around the crosses. Thunder clouds are gathering in the sky.

Jesus Christ’s hands showing the nail prints from his crucifixion in Jerusalem.

Consider playing quiet, sacred music to invite the Spirit as students write.

Cross-reference or link Isaiah 49:16 with John 19:15–19 and 3 Nephi 11:10–15. Slowly read these passages, marking words and phrases that help you feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you. Look for teachings that help you understand why They will not forget or forsake you.

He will not forget us

In your study journal, write a paragraph that explains what the Savior saying “I have graven [you] on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16) means to you.

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

Share what you have felt

When students have finished studying the handout, volunteers could share what they found meaningful from the quotes, scriptures, and personal insights.

To conclude class, you could invite students to respond to the following questions either with a partner, in small groups, or with the class.

What do you hope to remember from what you have learned and felt as you studied Isaiah 49 today?
What is something you could do to remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will never forget you?

Additional Resources

How does God demonstrate that He remembers us?

President Russell M. Nelson shared:

Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him. In fact, all those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy. In the Hebrew language, that covenantal love is called hesed (חֶסֶד). …

Because God has hesed for those who have covenanted with Him, He will love them. He will continue to work with them and offer them opportunities to change. He will forgive them when they repent. And should they stray, He will help them find their way back to Him. (“The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 5–6)

How can we feel that God knows and loves us?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency reminded us:

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The day will come when we will see Him again. President Benson described it this way: “Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us.” (“Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” in Speeches of the Year, 1974, Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1975, p. 313.)

While what President Benson said will be true in the future, we need to feel now that God knows us and loves us as individuals. There are times you have felt the closeness of God, your Father, and that you are his child. Those times can come more often. There is a simple way to think about it.

If you want to stay close to someone who has been dear to you, but from whom you are separated, you know how to do it. You would find a way to speak to them, you would listen to them, and you would discover ways to do things for each other. The more often that happened, the longer it went on, the deeper would be the bond of affection. If much time passed without the speaking, the listening, and the doing, the bond would weaken.

God is perfect and omnipotent, and you and I are mortal. But he is our Father, he loves us, and he offers the same opportunity to draw closer to him as would a loving friend. And you will do it in much the same way: speaking, listening, and doing. (“To Draw Closer to God,” Ensign, May 1991, 66)

Supplemental Learning Activities

What has the Lord promised He “will not remember” (Isaiah 43:25)?

As they study Isaiah 49 and the Lord’s promise to never forget or forsake us, students might benefit from reviewing the Lord’s promise about what He “will not remember.” Invite students to read Isaiah 43:24–25 and cross-reference or link these verses to Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43. You could ask a discussion question such as the following:

What would you hope a teenager would understand about the Lord’s promise in these verses?

Students might identify a truth such as: When we repent, the Lord promises that He “will not remember [our sins] (Isaiah 43:25). You could help students understand that this does not mean that the Lord will forget what we have done. The Lord promises He will not bring to our attention or hold us accountable for sins He has forgiven.

To help students understand this truth, you could share Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message in the video “Point of Safe Return,” time code 09:58 to 11:35.

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The Lord helps those who feel forgotten

It might be helpful for students to study other scripture accounts of people who struggled with difficult situations and how the Lord demonstrated that He had not forgotten them. To do this, you could display the following chart and invite students to select one to study.

How they struggled	What they learned about the Lord
How they struggled Hagar: Genesis 21:14–16	What they learned about the Lord Genesis 21:17–20
How they struggled Sariah: 1 Nephi 5:1–3	What they learned about the Lord 1 Nephi 5:4–8
How they struggled Nephi: 2 Nephi 4:17–18	What they learned about the Lord 2 Nephi 4:19–25
How they struggled Mormon: Moroni 9:18–21	What they learned about the Lord Moroni 9:22–26
How they struggled Joseph Smith: Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6	What they learned about the Lord Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8, 29

You could organize students with others who selected a different scripture account to share what they learned.

As a class, you could review the moment the Savior felt forsaken. Students could read Matthew 27:46. You might ask students how knowing this about the Savior could be helpful to someone who is feeling forgotten.

If students would benefit from seeing the connection a young man develops with the Savior in a time of sorrow, you could show the video “Be Kind to Your Self, Beloved Child of God” (6:21). This video can help students see how this young man came to recognize that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ knew him personally.

6:23