GM1 Gospel Doctrine – Old Testament Lesson 9 [Sunday, 7 March 2010]

Posted on 6 March 2010 by Doug

“God Will Provide Himself a Lamb”

This lesson continues our review of events from the life of the prophet Abraham. Thus far we have considered early stories of his childhood in Chaldea, being cast into a raging furnace, his sojourn in Egypt, his triumphs in battle, being blessed by Melchizedek, entertaining heavenly hosts, and receiving the Abrahamic Covenant.  A study of this  lesson will help us better understand Heavenly Father’s sacrifice in offering his Son as we learn of Abraham’s  willingness to  sacrifice Isaac. The biblical account is set forth in Genesis 22:1-19.

Latter-day Saints accept this event as having truly happened. It is confirmed repeatedly in modern scripture. In its way it seems to have presaged the sacrifice of Christ. The Father gave his own Beloved Son to die on the cross. Abraham’s obedience is one of the greatest examples of complete faith we know about, and should be a constant inspiration to us.

When the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob discussed the sacrifice of Isaac, he said that it “is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son.” (Jacob 4:5.)

Doctrine & Covenants 132 (v. 36) confirms that God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac. That scripture specifically says: “Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.”

Regarding the purpose of this event, the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life, he must sacrifice all things.” (HC 5:555.)

OVERVIEW:

  • Abraham is nearly sacrificed by the false priests of Pharaoh.
  • Abraham has  children through Hagar and Sarah.
  • God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

Reading Assignment – study the following scriptures: Abraham 1; Genesis 15–17; 21–22.

Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 8.

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GM1 Gospel Doctrine – Old Testament Lesson 8 [Sunday, 28 February 2010]

Posted on 27 February 2010 by Doug

Living Righteously in a Wicked World

We are surrounded by unrighteous influences. This lesson is about the importance of being righteous even when wickedness is all around us.

OVERVIEW:

  • Abraham and his family settle in Hebron, and Lot and his family settle near Sodom.
  • Abraham rescues Lot, pays tithes to Melchizedek, and refuses to accept the spoils of war from the king of Sodom.
  • The Lord destroys Sodom and Gomorrah.

Reading Assignment – study the following scriptures: Genesis 13–14; 18–19.

Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 8.

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GM1 Gospel Doctrine – Old Testament Lesson 7 [Sunday, 21 February 2010]

Posted on 19 February 2010 by Doug

The Abrahamic Covenant

God's Promises to Abram - c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot

Although we generally speak of the Abrahamic covenant beginning with Abraham, he was actually the inheritor of promises, passed down through the lineage of his fathers, that began with Adam. Abraham himself wrote: “And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness” (Abr. 1:2). Abraham desired and “sought” the priesthood with all its accompanying promises. These blessings “came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time” (Abr. 1:3).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: 

“Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation); then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase; finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. (Abra. 2:6-11; D. & C. 132:29-50.) Included in the divine promises to Abraham was the assurance that Christ would come through his lineage, and the assurance that Abraham’s posterity would receive certain choice, promised lands as an eternal inheritance. (Abra. 2; Gen. 17; 22:15-18; Gal. 3.)

“All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant. This covenant was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 24:60; 26:1-4, 24) and again with Jacob. (Gen. 28; 35:9-13; 48:3-4.) Those portions of it which pertain to personal exaltation and eternal increase are renewed with each member of the house of Israel who enters the order of celestial marriage; through that order the participating parties become inheritors of all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (D. & C. 132; Rom. 9:4; Gal. 3; 4.)” (Mormon Doctrine, p13)

So, through the Abrahamic Covenant we are blessed with the gospel, the priesthood, exaltation, and eternal family relationships.

OVERVIEW:

  • God covenants with Abraham.
  • We are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant.

Reading Assignment – study the following scriptures: Abraham 1:1–4; 2:1–11; Genesis 12:1–8; 17:1–9.

Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 7.

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GM1 Gospel Doctrine – Old Testament Lesson 6 [Sunday, 14 February 2010]

Posted on 13 February 2010 by Doug

“Noah … Prepared an Ark to the Saving of His House”

The biblical story of Noah and the Flood is likely one of our earliest remembered tales. Its scope and drama have fascinated artists and scriptural commentators for centuries.

Perhaps because many of the righteous were taken from the earth with Enoch, Genesis 6 reports that “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).

The story of Noah and the Flood illustrates a significant pattern found throughout scripture that consists of three important biblical themes: 1) God calling a prophet to warn the people, 2) divine judgment, and 3) divine deliverance.

It is important that we understand this pattern. Church leaders have counseled us to build “personal arks” in order to be prepared and to protect our families both temporally and spiritually.

OVERVIEW:

  • The people reject Noah’s call to  repentance; Noah builds an ark.
  • The Lord cleanses the earth with a flood.
  • The people build the tower of Babel.

Reading Assignment – study the following scriptures: Moses 8:19–30; Genesis 6–9; 11:1–9.

Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 6.

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