Ezra prepared his heart to lead his people in renewing their relationship with God by (1) seeking to understand God's law, (2) following it, and (3) teaching what he learned. Book of Mormon prophets, including Nephi, Enos, and Alma, followed the same pattern: Learn, Act, Share.
Our Eyes Are Upon Thee
The books of Chronicles cover roughly the same period as 2 Samuel through 2 Kings, but with an emphasis on religious life in the kingdom of Judah, especially temple worship. Like Nephi and Mormon, the Chroniclers selected events that supported their purposes, and we can learn by observing their editorial decisions.
Josiah and the Book of the Law
Josiah led a spiritual revival among his people after discovering the book of the law. Lehi, who lived during Josiah's reign, prioritized carrying the written word of God to his new home. As a result, generations of his descendants were blessed and spiritually strengthened.
Bread Only
Moses explained that manna taught an important principle: We need more than physical food. Our spirits also need the word of God. Book of Mormon prophets taught the same principle, inviting us to "feast" on the word of God, by hearing, pondering, and acting.
Applying Our Hearts to Understanding Exodus 21-23
Abinadi rebuked King Noah's priests for not applying their hearts to understanding. As we study the law of Moses, we can apply our hearts by extracting the key principles. Specific rules about stray livestock, borrowed tools, and farm fields turn out to teach restitution, empathy, care for the vulnerable, and even love for our enemies.
Genesis 3 in the Book of Mormon
Lehi, Benjamin, Abinadi, and Alma explore Genesis 3 by applying it to their current circumstances, seeking inspiration to understand it more fully, and reading it in light of what they already knew about God. Their interpretations are both flexible and disciplined—creative while remaining anchored to the text.
Four Foundational Strategies
Book of Mormon authors modeled four strategies which can enhance our study of the Old Testament: (1) search for precious things in plain sight, (2) prioritize holistic over selective reading, (3) synthesize themes across the books, and (4) find Christ in the writings of all the prophets.
Contents of the Brass Plates
Eight of the 39 books in the Old Testament were definitely in the brass plates, and another 16 may have been included. For Book of Mormon prophets, the brass plates were an essential part of their identity: connecting them to intergenerational covenants, testifying of the Savior, and bringing them closer to God.
The Old Testament: Origins and Structure
Following the example of Jesus, His apostles frequently referenced the accepted Jewish scriptures as they taught about His life, mission, atoning sacrifice, and resurrection. As Christianity spread, these scriptures were preserved, named, and organized into a single collection. The Old Testament’s structure reflects how early Christians read Israel’s scriptures as sacred history testifying of Christ.
The Hebrew Bible: Origins and Structure
The Hebrew Bible consists of three collections of books: the Torah (the Five Books of Moses), the Neviʾim (the Prophets), and the Ketuvim (the Writings). We can be grateful to generations of Jewish scholars and religious leaders who carefully preserved, edited, and transmitted these sacred texts, enabling us to study them today.