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 54: “With Great Mercies Will I Gather Thee”

“Isaiah 54: ‘With Great Mercies Will I Gather Thee,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Isaiah 54: ‘With Great Mercies Will I Gather Thee,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Isaiah 50–57: Lesson 125

Isaiah 54

“With Great Mercies Will I Gather Thee”

People may feel forsaken and alone at times. Sometimes, people may think that God is not there for them. Because the house of Israel broke the covenant they made with Jehovah, they were scattered. They may have felt that God had forsaken them. However, through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord reminded His covenant people, both then and now, that He would gather them with great mercies and give them peace. This lesson can help students feel the Savior’s love and commitment to them.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Isaiah 54, looking for words and phrases they would share with someone who feels alone or forsaken.

Possible Learning Activities

Feeling forsaken

Consider beginning class with the following scenario. Students could select a version of the scenario to focus on individually or one for the entire class. Students will have an opportunity to respond to the scenario they chose at the end of the lesson.

Carlos feels alone and forsaken because …

He has sinned and doesn’t believe that God will forgive him for what he has done.
He recently moved into a new area and is having a hard time making friends.
He doesn’t feel like his prayers are being answered.

Think about what you might say to Carlos to help him. Reflect on what you would want him to know about Jesus Christ.

S&I Old Testament Seminary Student Home Study Guide

During Isaiah’s life, he witnessed the scattering of the Northern Kingdom of Israel because of its wickedness (see 2 Kings 17:6–23). He also prophesied that because of the wickedness of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, it too would be conquered (see Isaiah 39:5–7). Because of this, many in the house of Israel may have felt forsaken by God.

In Isaiah 54, Isaiah prophesied about what the Lord would do for His covenant people. The Savior later used this chapter to teach the Nephites how He would gather Israel in the last days (see 3 Nephi 22).

As you study Isaiah 54, listen for promptings from the Holy Ghost to help you know how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ feel about Their relationship with you.

The Lord’s promises to His people

You may want to remind students that Isaiah often used imagery in his writings. Pausing to think about lessons learned from the imagery he included can invite the Holy Ghost to teach us the Lord’s message in these scriptures. In Isaiah 54, Isaiah used the imagery of a marriage relationship to teach about the Lord’s covenant relationship with the house of Israel. The husband represents the Savior, and the wife represents the house of Israel. You may want to divide the reading of the next set of verses into smaller segments, such as verses 1–4, 5–8, 9–10, 13, 17. To help students better understand what they are reading, you could pause after each set of verses and invite students to ask questions.

You can find information on certain words and phrases in these verses in the Additional Resources section.

Carefully read Isaiah 54:1–10, 13, 17, looking for what Jesus Christ promised His covenant people.

What does the imagery of a husband and wife teach you about the Lord’s relationship with the house of Israel?
What do the names and titles of the Savior in verse 5 teach about Him?

You may want to allocate time to allow students to share meaningful words and phrases from these verses and discuss what they teach about the Lord. They could do this as a class or in small groups.

Write Jesus Christ our Redeemer … on the board and invite students to complete the statement using what they find in Isaiah 54:4–10, 13, 17.
What are some ways you could finish the statement Jesus Christ our Redeemer …?
Students may finish the statement in many ways, including:

Jesus Christ our Redeemer …
- will gather His people in mercy.
- has everlasting kindness for His people.
- will fulfill the covenant He made with His people.
- promises peace.
When students see the scriptures as relevant to their lives, they are more likely to understand how the Savior’s doctrine applies to them personally. The following questions, or others you may think of, can help them discuss the relevance of the truths they identified.
Which of these truths do you think could most help youth today? Why?

Reflect on which of these truths is most meaningful to you personally.

How do you think Jesus Christ fulfills these promises today?

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

… In a world “tossed with tempest, and not comforted,” as Jehovah said it would be, how do we find what He called “the covenant of … peace”? We find it by turning to Him who said He would have mercy on us and “with everlasting kindness” would grant peace to our children. (“Not as the World Giveth,” Liahona, May 2021, 36)

What are you learning about the way Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ feel toward you?

Demonstrate learning

The following activity intends to help students demonstrate what they learned and felt about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from studying Isaiah 54. Select a method of responding that best meets the needs of your class. Some examples of what you could do include inviting students to role-play the situation, write a text message to send, or create a comic strip of a conversation with Carlos.

Recall why Carlos feels forsaken and alone. Think of what you could share with him from what you learned in Isaiah 54. Are there any personal experiences you might share with him?

What do you want to remember about the Savior from your study of Isaiah 54?

You may also want to share your testimony of the Savior and your thoughts and feelings while studying Isaiah 54.

Additional Resources

What is the meaning of some of the words and phrases in Isaiah 54?

In Isaiah 54:3 he told Israel they would “break forth on the right hand and on the left” and that the “desolate cities [would] be inhabited.” This represents the large number of people who would be gathered, hence the need to “enlarge the place of thy tent” (Isaiah 54:2).

In Isaiah 54:9, the Lord reminded Israel of His promise not to cover the earth with a flood again (see Genesis 9:15–17). Just as the flood ended and the Lord promised not to send another, the Lord’s anger with the house of Israel for their sins would not be forever.

In Isaiah 54:10, Isaiah used imagery of mountains and hills, which are seen as permanent. The Lord promises that His kindness and “covenant of [His] peace” are more permanent than the mountains and hills.

Isaiah 54:2. What is significant about Isaiah’s imagery of a tent?

The General Handbook states:

Isaiah described latter-day Zion as a tent or a tabernacle secured by stakes (see Isaiah 33:20; 54:2). Today the Church is organized into stakes. Each stake is composed of multiple wards and is led by a stake president. The Lord establishes stakes for “the gathering together” of His people and “for a defense, and … a refuge” from the world (Doctrine and Covenants 115:6). Members and leaders in a stake work together to participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation (see 1.2). (General Handbook: 6.1)

How does the Savior feel about His covenant people?

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

Even though there has been barrenness and sometimes unfaithfulness, yet will the husband (Christ) reclaim and redeem his bride (Israel). …

… Christ has, on occasion, been rightfully angry with backsliding Israel, but that has always been brief and temporary—”a small moment.” Compassion and mercy always return and prevail in a most reassuring way. The mountains and the hills may disappear. The water of the great seas may dry up. The least likely things in the world may happen, but the Lord’s kindness and peace will never be taken from his covenant people. He has sworn with a heavenly oath that he will not be wroth with them forever.” (Christ and the New Covenant[1997], 290)

How has Jesus Christ demonstrated that we belong with Him?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified:

14:41

Being one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is without doubt the ultimate in belonging.

Thus, the doctrine of belonging comes down to this—each one of us can affirm: Jesus Christ died for me; He thought me worthy of His blood. He loves me and can make all the difference in my life. As I repent, His grace will transform me. I am one with Him in the gospel covenant; I belong in His Church and kingdom; and I belong in His cause to bring redemption to all of God’s children. (“The Doctrine of Belonging,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 56)

Supplemental Learning Activities

“Enlarge the place of thy tent … and strengthen thy stakes” (Isaiah 54:2)

This activity can help students understand Isaiah’s imagery of a tent and why the Church is organized into stakes. You could bring a tent to class and invite students to set it up or display an image of one. Ask them to explain the purpose of a tent and how to set it up so it will endure wind and rain.

Consider displaying this image of a tent and inviting students to label the different parts of the tent using what they find in verse 2.

Read Isaiah 54:2, looking for what Isaiah taught about a tent. Consider asking some of the following questions to help students understand how these verses relate to the Savior’s Church in our day.

How do you think the Savior’s Church is like a tent?
How do stakes support a tent? What can this teach us about the role of the stakes of Zion in the Savior’s restored Church?
In what ways do you see the tent enlarging in our day?

Consider sharing the statement from the General Handbook about stakes in Additional Resources. You could also read Doctrine and Covenants 115:6 and discuss how the stakes of Zion provide a defense and a refuge from the storms of life. You might also read Moroni 10:31 or Doctrine and Covenants 82:14; 133:9 and discuss what the Lord asks us to do as members of His Church.

The Lord’s promises to covenant Israel

When introducing the reading of Isaiah 54:1–10, 13, 17, you may want to share the following invitation from President Russell M. Nelson.

As you study your scriptures … I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life. (“Let God Prevail,” Liahona, Nov. 2020, 95)

Invite students to list the Lord’s promises to covenant Israel in Isaiah 54. You could discuss what these promises teach about the Lord and how students see them fulfilled in their lives. You could encourage students to continue looking for the Lord’s promises to covenant Israel as they study the scriptures.