Template:Old Testament
Beginning in January 2022, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will begin a year-long study of the Old Testament.
The Holy Bible is one of four volumes of sacred scripture that is used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The other three volumes are the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The Old Testament is a part of the Bible and comprises the first 39 books of that volume. Like all scripture, the Old Testament teaches and testifies of Jesus Christ and of His divinity.
The Old Testament contains the writings of ancient prophets and others who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It is a record of God's dealings with His children from the Creation to about 400 B.C. It gives an account of the Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the great flood in the days of Noah, and the establishment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom the Lord renamed Israel. It also bears record of the history of God's covenant people, the descendants of Jacob, who are called "the house of Israel" or "the children of Israel." And the Old Testament contains the prophecies and warnings of the Lord's ancient prophets, whom He called to preach repentance to the children of Israel. Through His prophets, the Lord gave the Israelites laws, covenants, and doctrines to prepare them for His coming and teach them how to return to God and how to live in God's presence.
President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the importance of studying the Old Testament:
- In the Old Testament course, you learn of the Creation and fall of man, and the foundation for the temple endowment. You learn what a prophet is. You become familiar with such words as obedience, sacrifice, covenant, Aaronic, Melchizedek, and priesthood. . . .The whole basis for Judaic-Christian law, indeed for Islam, is taught to you.
You can learn more about the Old Testament by reading the article Welcome to the Old Testament.
