Old Testament Seminary Student Manual (2026)

Contents
Introduction
Old Testament Lessons
- Welcome to the Old Testament
- Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Moses 7
- Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Genesis 18–23
- Genesis 24–33
- Genesis 37–41
- Genesis 42–50
- Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Exodus 7–13
- Exodus 14–18
- Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Judges 2–4; 6–8
- Ruth 1–4; 1 Samuel 1–7
- 1 Samuel 8–16
- 1 Samuel 17–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- 1 Kings 12–22
- 2 Kings 2–7
- 2 Kings 16–25
- 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Esther
- Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Psalms 102–3; 110; 116–19; 127–28; 135–39; 146–50
- Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Isaiah 1–12
- Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Isaiah 40–49
- Isaiah 50–57
- Isaiah 58–66
- Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Daniel 1–7
- Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel
- Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Malachi
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Future Education and Employment
- Succeed in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders

Lesson 114: Isaiah 1—“Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet, They Shall Be as White as Snow”

Forgiven, by Greg Olsen. Used with Permission. www.GregOlsen.com

Isaiah 1–12: Lesson 114

Isaiah 1

“Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet, They Shall Be as White as Snow”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Even though we all sin and need forgiveness, sometimes we may believe we cannot be forgiven. But the Savior’s message is clear: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). This lesson can help you increase your confidence in the Savior’s desire and ability to cleanse you from your sins.

Study the Scriptures

Think about a time when you stained your clothing. How might our sins be compared to stains? What are some reasons people might think they cannot be cleansed of their sins?

Reflect on the following statements. Which one do you relate to the most? Why do you feel that way?

I am confident the Savior can cleanse me of all my sins.
I believe the Savior can cleanse me of some of my sins, but not all of them.
I believe the Savior can cleanse other people’s sins, but not mine.
I do not believe the Savior can cleanse sins.

Read Isaiah 1:2–4, looking for the spiritual condition of the Israelites.

As you study Isaiah’s teachings, it is helpful to understand that he often recorded the Lord’s words in a poetic form called parallelism. Parallelism occurs when a writer expresses an idea and then repeats or contrasts the idea using different words. For example, in verse 2, the combined phrases “Hear, O heavens” and “give ear, O earth” (Isaiah 1:2) are an example of parallelism.

Isaiah also used imagery to illustrate his teachings. In Isaiah 1:3, you may notice that he used different images to teach the Israelites. Unlike an ox and donkey, the Israelites did not recognize their Master.

Jesus Christ portrayed holding a lamb in His arms — The Lost Lamb, by Del Parson

Read Isaiah 1:16–18. Mark what the Lord promises us as we repent. Please note that Isaiah used both parallelism and imagery to illustrate this promise.

Isaiah 1:18 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging doctrinal mastery passages with the topic they teach so you can find them easily later. Memorize the reference and key scripture phrase, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” One way is to recite the reference and key scripture phrase a few times. Then have someone say a word and see if you can tell them the next word of the scripture.

Use an internet search or look around your own home to find an image of something scarlet or crimson. What can the images of scarlet and crimson teach us about sin?

Sister Sharon Eubank, formerly of the Relief Society General Presidency, explained:

The scarlet dye of the Old Testament was not only colorful but also colorfast, meaning that its vivid color stuck to the wool and would not fade no matter how many times it was washed. Satan wields this reasoning like a club: white wool stained scarlet can never go back to being white. But Jesus Christ declares, “My ways [are] higher than your ways,” and the miracle of His grace is that when we repent of our sins, His scarlet blood returns us to purity. It isn’t logical, but it is nevertheless true. (“Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 75)

Now search for images or find something the color of snow and wool. What can the images of snow and wool teach us about the Savior’s promise as we repent?

Create a note next to Isaiah 1:18 with the following truth: If we sincerely repent, Jesus Christ will cleanse us from our sins.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane — O My Father, by Simon Dewey

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you increase your confidence in the Savior’s desire and ability to cleanse you from your sins.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

Your responses to the questions in option A.
The letter you wrote to yourself in option B.
Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?