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.
Josiah and Lehi: The Power of Sacred Texts
During Lehi's lifetime, the city of Jerusalem experienced a profound spiritual reawakening when their king read the words of scripture and urged his people to follow God's instructions. This experience formed an important part of Lehi's spiritual heritage. Like Josiah, he viewed scripture as a tool to lead him and his family closer to God.
Lehi and the Brass Plates
The Hebrew Bible appears early in the Book of Mormon. Lehi's sons return to Jerusalem to obtain the Brass Plates. These writings connected Lehi to both ancestors and descendants and taught him profound truths about the Messiah, the gathering of Israel, agency, and redemption. Like Lehi, we can find spiritual treasures in the Old Testament.
4,000th Post
Just over eleven years ago, I started blogging what I learn from the scriptures each day. Here are a few fun facts about these posts and a few lessons I've learned by repeating this process 4,000 times.
Likening Doctrine and Covenants 111: A Case Study
Nephi taught that we should liken the scriptures to ourselves. For Elder L. Tom Perry, a couple of verses from a revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants reinforced some personal revelation he had received. "Tarry ye in this place," the verses said, supporting a decision to turn down a job offer and remain in Massachusetts.
Biblical References in Doctrine and Covenants 76
The revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76 was prompted by meditation about a single Bible verse, but it contains an enormous number of biblical paraphrases and allusions. The revelation demonstrates the unity of God's word as revealed to many prophets and apostles throughout history.
Unlocking Spiritual Knowledge
Paul described the ancient apostles as "stewards of the mysteries of God." In 1831, six church leaders were similarly assigned as "stewards over the revelations." How grateful we can be for inspired servants who have written and safeguarded God’s words so that we can access spiritual knowledge!
Profit and Learning
Nephi, Lehi, and the Lord in modern revelation all emphasize that scripture is intended for our "profit and learning." We must therefore do more than understand the scriptures; we must apply them to our daily decisions. President Nelson has emphasized that we should apply scriptural principles holistically, to all aspects of our lives.
Devoted to Study
Scripture study requires time and effort but leads to personal revelation and spiritual growth. Prophets like Nephi, Jacob, and Benjamin emphasized diligent searching of the scriptures. Jesus commanded us to study Isaiah and the other prophets. By dedicating time daily to the scriptures, we gain insights, improve decision-making, and prepare ourselves to share true principles.