Introduction to the Old TestamentIntroduction to the Old Testament

The word “testament” means covenant.The word “testament” means covenant.

The covenant of Sinai being the precursor and forerunner to the The covenant of Sinai being the precursor and forerunner to the greater covenant of the gospel.greater covenant of the gospel.

The Old Testament is not a book --- The Old Testament is not a book --- it is a collectionit is a collection, a collection of , a collection of thirty-nine booksthirty-nine books that comprise the that comprise the record of God’s dealings with record of God’s dealings with his covenant people of the era of Moses/ancient Israelhis covenant people of the era of Moses/ancient Israel..

The Old Testament begins with Moses (Moses 1:40 and Moses 2:1).The Old Testament begins with Moses (Moses 1:40 and Moses 2:1).

There is strong evidence that the setting of the revelation of There is strong evidence that the setting of the revelation of Genesis is with Moses and the Israelites.Genesis is with Moses and the Israelites.

Sadly, most of the lessons that readers can learn from the history Sadly, most of the lessons that readers can learn from the history of ancient Israel are from bad examplesof ancient Israel are from bad examples..

It would probably not be incorrect to It would probably not be incorrect to assume that for many members of the assume that for many members of the Church Church the Old Testament is the most the Old Testament is the most neglected book of scriptureneglected book of scripture. .

This neglect is not difficult to understand. This neglect is not difficult to understand.

The Old Testament is the longest of all The Old Testament is the longest of all the scriptures, being about twice the size the scriptures, being about twice the size of the Book of Mormon. Its history and of the Book of Mormon. Its history and culture are farthest removed from our culture are farthest removed from our day. day.

It is not enough to be entertained by It is not enough to be entertained by its stories unless these stories can its stories unless these stories can reach deep into our souls to make reach deep into our souls to make better persons. The accounts of the better persons. The accounts of the Bible were preserved for the help Bible were preserved for the help which they can give to man in which they can give to man in developing his faith in God and in developing his faith in God and in following His teachings. following His teachings. The reader The reader who misses the significance of Bible who misses the significance of Bible stories in present life is not a true stories in present life is not a true student of the Biblestudent of the Bible” (Larsen, ” (Larsen, Introduction to The Message of the Introduction to The Message of the Old TestamentOld Testament, by Jacob,)., by Jacob,).

The following quotations are representative of Joseph The following quotations are representative of Joseph Smith’s thoughts concerning the BibleSmith’s thoughts concerning the Bible::

““Many important points touching the salvation of men Many important points touching the salvation of men had been taken from the Bible or lost before it was had been taken from the Bible or lost before it was compiled.”compiled.”

““There are many things in the Bible which do not, as There are many things in the Bible which do not, as they now stand, accord with the revelations of the Holy they now stand, accord with the revelations of the Holy Ghost to me.”Ghost to me.”

““We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.”is translated correctly.”

““I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priest careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priest have committed many errors” (have committed many errors” (TeachingsTeachings, 10, 310, , 10, 310, 327, 56).327, 56).

The biggest part of the Old Testament deals with The biggest part of the Old Testament deals with broken covenants and the people who broke them.broken covenants and the people who broke them.

It covers about 4,000 years.It covers about 4,000 years.

It covers the most time of any of the scriptures and It covers the most time of any of the scriptures and sets the stage for all additional scripture.sets the stage for all additional scripture.

From a historical perspective the Bible begins with the From a historical perspective the Bible begins with the story of Abram who becomes Abrahamstory of Abram who becomes Abraham..

The Abrahamic Covenant, The Priesthood and the The Abrahamic Covenant, The Priesthood and the Atonement all work in concert to save mankind.Atonement all work in concert to save mankind.

The Old Testament is a brutally honest book (scriptural The Old Testament is a brutally honest book (scriptural foils).foils).

A Brief History of the BibleA Brief History of the Bible• Why were books bound? Why were books bound?

It was easier than hiding scrolls.It was easier than hiding scrolls.

• It wasn’t until 1200 A.D. that the Bible comes to be.It wasn’t until 1200 A.D. that the Bible comes to be.

• Only 50 fragments exist from the first 300 years of Only 50 fragments exist from the first 300 years of Christianity.Christianity.

• There are no printing presses until the 1400’s.There are no printing presses until the 1400’s.

• LatinLatin is the standard language before the printing press is the standard language before the printing press is invented.is invented.

• The Bible was the dominant book over The Bible was the dominant book over the people and the people had no access the people and the people had no access to itto it. It controlled the people . It controlled the people economically and politically.economically and politically.

• The first English Bible was created in The first English Bible was created in 1384 by John Wycliff. Wycliff was 1384 by John Wycliff. Wycliff was opposed to transubstantiation.opposed to transubstantiation.

• During the 1400’s there were two Popes During the 1400’s there were two Popes which both excommunicated each other. which both excommunicated each other.

• Wycliff believed that the scriptures should Wycliff believed that the scriptures should have more authority than the church.have more authority than the church.

• It took one small herd of sheep to provide the parchment for It took one small herd of sheep to provide the parchment for one Bible.one Bible.

• Wycliff’s followers would be burned by the hundreds and Wycliff’s followers would be burned by the hundreds and thousands. thousands.

What was there crime? What was there crime?

They had a page or two of the Bible in their possession.They had a page or two of the Bible in their possession.

• Wycliff’s bones would be removed from his grave 44 years Wycliff’s bones would be removed from his grave 44 years after his death. They pounded them to dust and burnt the after his death. They pounded them to dust and burnt the remains to symbolize that he never existed. remains to symbolize that he never existed.

• He translated the Bible from Latin to EnglishHe translated the Bible from Latin to English..

• The Gutenberg BibleThe Gutenberg Bible: :

In 1453-55, was printed in Latin and intended for the church. In 1453-55, was printed in Latin and intended for the church. It is considered the greatest contribution to Western Culture.It is considered the greatest contribution to Western Culture.

• Martin LutherMartin Luther: :

A great scholar who translated the Latin Bible into A great scholar who translated the Latin Bible into GermanGerman. He also studied the Bible in Greek before it . He also studied the Bible in Greek before it was translated into Latin. He was told to renounce his was translated into Latin. He was told to renounce his beliefs or be burned alive. His “beliefs or be burned alive. His “95 Thesis95 Thesis” was written ” was written during the 1500’s.during the 1500’s.

• William TyndaleWilliam Tyndale: :

He was England’s Martin Luther. He knew eight He was England’s Martin Luther. He knew eight languages fluently. Knowing those languages were languages fluently. Knowing those languages were helpful when he was fleeing English authorities seeking helpful when he was fleeing English authorities seeking to take his life. to take his life. He read the Bible in Latin and He read the Bible in Latin and translated it from Greek to Englishtranslated it from Greek to English. .

Why? Because Wycliff’s Bible was pretty much Why? Because Wycliff’s Bible was pretty much destroyed by then.destroyed by then.

• Tyndale standardized the English Tyndale standardized the English language. He translated the Old language. He translated the Old Testament from Hebrew to English. He Testament from Hebrew to English. He got to the Book of Chronicles and was got to the Book of Chronicles and was then caught and put in jail for 18 months.then caught and put in jail for 18 months.

• He was admitted to Oxford when he was He was admitted to Oxford when he was eleven. He helped to open the eyes of eleven. He helped to open the eyes of England. He was burned at the stake.England. He was burned at the stake.

• His last words were, “His last words were, “If God grants me If God grants me breath to finish this translation then the breath to finish this translation then the simplest plow boy will be able to read it simplest plow boy will be able to read it and will know more about it than you in and will know more about it than you in the clergythe clergy.”.”

• The Geneva BibleThe Geneva Bible: :

In 1560, it was the In 1560, it was the first English Biblefirst English Bible. Because of Bloody Mary . Because of Bloody Mary people escaped and settled in Geneva (Switzerland). People were people escaped and settled in Geneva (Switzerland). People were actually studying the Bible in English. actually studying the Bible in English. It was the first entire Bible It was the first entire Bible written in Englishwritten in English..

• This was the Bible that the Puritans and the Pilgrims brought to This was the Bible that the Puritans and the Pilgrims brought to the New World.the New World.

• King James, 1611King James, 1611: :

Forty seven scholars worked on it. It was not really completed Forty seven scholars worked on it. It was not really completed until 1900. King James had nothing to do with it, but he was the until 1900. King James had nothing to do with it, but he was the King when they were working on it. King when they were working on it.

We are really reading Tyndale’s words, not so much God’sWe are really reading Tyndale’s words, not so much God’s..

• The Wicked Bible: The Wicked Bible: Thou shalt commit Thou shalt commit adultery!adultery!

• The Bay Psalm Book, 1782: This is the first The Bay Psalm Book, 1782: This is the first publication in America because of copy right publication in America because of copy right problems with the King James Version.problems with the King James Version.

• The Dead Sea ScrollsThe Dead Sea Scrolls

– 18,000 segments were found, they did not 18,000 segments were found, they did not find scrolls.find scrolls.

– They are 2,000 years oldThey are 2,000 years old

– They legitimize that Jesus once lived there.They legitimize that Jesus once lived there.