Moses and the Brass Serpent

Numbers 20:17, Numbers 20:21; Numbers 21:49; John 3:1415; 1 Nephi 17:41; Alma 33:1920; Helaman 8:1415
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Numbers 21:9

After the prophet Moses led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, they journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time the Lord blessed the Israelites in many ways, including taking care of their physical needs.

The Israelites were nearing the end of their travels and were close to the borders of Canaan—the promised land. But when they asked the king of Edom if they could pass through his land, which would have been a short journey into Canaan, he told them no (see Numbers 20:17, Numbers 20:21). As a result, they had to travel a long way to find a different route into the country (see Numbers 21:4).

The Israelites became discouraged during this journey and "spake against God, and against Moses." They complained about the very things they should have been thankful for: God's help in freeing them from bondage and the manna He had provided for them in the wilderness. (See Numbers 21:5.)

Because of the ingratitude of the Israelites, "the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died" (Numbers 21:6).

When the children of Israel saw family members and friends dying, they realized they had sinned in complaining against God. They asked Moses to pray to the Lord to take away the serpents. (See Numbers 21:7.)

Moses prayed, and in response the Lord told him to make a brass serpent, put it on a pole, and place it where the people could see it. The Lord promised that everyone who had been bitten would live if they looked at the serpent. (See Numbers 21:89.)

Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, explained that many Israelites did look at the serpent and live, "but few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them" (see Alma 33:1920; see also 1 Nephi 17:41).

Part of what the Israelites did not understand, because of the hardness of their hearts, was that the brass serpent was a symbol of Jesus Christ being lifted up on the cross and bringing eternal life:

"Yea, did [Moses] not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.

"And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal" (Helaman 8:1415).

Jesus Christ Himself taught that the account of the brass serpent is a lesson for us about the importance of looking to the Savior and His atoning sacrifice: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:1415).

Summary

After the Lord helped free the children of Israel from bondage, Moses led them in the wilderness for 40 years. The Lord provided for all their needs. When the people complained and were not grateful for all Heavenly Father had done, the Lord sent serpents among them, which bit some of the people. The people knew they had sinned for not being grateful. Moses prayed for them. The Lord told Moses to make a brass serpent and set it on a pole for the people to see. The brass serpent represented the Savior's sacrifice. The Lord promised that everyone who had been bitten would live if they looked at the brass serpent.

Artist, Judith Mehr

© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: I had to go to manuals and the Bible Dictionary to learn more about the timing of this event. It seems that this is in the last year or so before the Israelites entered into the land of Canaan. They have been given many years previously the 10 commandments, the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, manna and quail. At this time God is providing all of their needs and has been for some time...yet they complain, why? Some possible answers could be...boredom, tired of waiting, sick of wearing the same clothes, "what? manna again? (never mind it's a daily miracle)!

Assignment: When do you complain? Identify your weak moments and resist complaining next time you find yourself in those moments. Also, ponder the simpleness of the way ....Christ taught, faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Are you ever like the Israelites and say it is too hard or "that won't save me"? Finally....Be GRatefuL!

Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:14:17

God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Exodus 3:4

As Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law and the priest of Midian, he led the flock to the mountain of God. When Moses reached the mountain, an angel appeared to him "in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush ... and the bush was not consumed" (Exodus 3:2; see also Exodus 3:1). As he watched this miraculous sight, he heard a voice, which was the voice of God, calling "Moses, Moses" from the bush. Moses said, "Here am I." God told Moses to move back and take his shoes off because he was standing on holy ground. When God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, "Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God" (Exodus 3:6; see also Exodus 3:45).

Moses learned that God was aware of the children of Israel and their bondage to the Egyptian rulers. God told Moses to tell Pharaoh to release the children of Israel. Moses said, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?" But God assured Moses that He would be with him. (See Exodus 3:712.) Moses was then concerned about what he should say to the children of Israel. God told him to say that I AM, the Lord God, had sent him unto them. (See Exodus 3:1314.) Moses' next concern was that the people would not believe him. The Lord asked Moses what he had in his hand, and Moses replied that he had a rod. Moses was told to cast it on the ground; it became a serpent and Moses fled. But the Lord told Moses to pick up the serpent, and it became a rod again. (See Exodus 4:14.)

The Lord gave Moses more signs from the burning bush (see Exodus 4:69), but Moses was still reluctant to perform the mission God had called him to do. He complained of being slow of speech, but God promised to help Moses with his speech (see Exodus 4:1012). When Moses continued to complain and ask for help, God finally became angry with his excuses. God told Moses he could take his brother, Aaron, for a spokesman. (See Exodus 4:1416.) Before Moses left the mountain, the Lord told him to take the rod and use it to make signs (see Exodus 4:17).

Summary

While tending his father-in-law's flock, Moses came to the mountain of God. There he saw a bush that was burning but not being destroyed by the flames. God called Moses by name from the burning bush. He told Moses to remove his shoes, for he was standing on holy ground. The Lord said that He knew of the troubles of His people, and He told Moses to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Moses did not think he could do this. He was concerned that the people would not believe him and said that he was slow of speech. However, the Lord promised to be with him and to give him power. He said that Moses could take his brother, Aaron, to speak for him.

Artist, Jerry Thompson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: Moses has now been away from Egypt for about 40 years (see Acts 7:30 in the New Testament) when he received his call to go back and lead the people out of Egypt. I love pondering about 'holy ground'. What makes something holy? Is it holy if I'm the only one who thinks it is? ASSIGNMENT: Look up Homes, Abode, Temple, House in the Topical Guide ... read some references in the different topics. Write down what you learn about 'holy places'.

This is an oft repeated quote from President David O. McKay. "No other success can compensate for failure in the home. The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles."

This is an oft repeated quote by me. "Everything I need to learn I learned at home."

There are some places made holy by sacred priesthood authority. Other places become sacred as we adhere to the commandments of our God. Where do you "take off thy shoes"?

Moses in the Bulrushes

Exodus 1:12:10And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. Exodus 2:5
After Joseph and all of his generation died in Egypt, a new king came to power. This king forgot what Joseph had done for the Egyptians and saw only that the Israelites were becoming a fruitful and mighty people. (See Exodus 1:79.) Pharaoh decided to put the Israelites in bondage so they would not become too strong and help Egypt's enemies. The Israelites continued to multiply, however, even though they had hard work to perform and cruel taskmasters to afflict them. (See Exodus 1:1014.)
So Pharaoh decided to keep the Israelites from becoming any mightier. He told the midwives to kill the newborn Israelite sons. When the midwives said they could not do it, Pharaoh decreed that all sons born to the house of Israel were to be drowned in the river. (See Exodus 1:1622.)
At this time Jochebed, a woman of the tribe of Levi, gave birth to Moses. She could not bear to drown her son, so she hid him for three months. When he became too large to hide, she made a basket of bulrushes and sealed it. She put Moses in the basket in the river, and Miriam, his sister, watched from a distance to see what would happen to the baby. (See Exodus 2:14.)
Pharaoh's daughter came to the river to bathe. She saw the basket in the water and sent her maid to get it. When Pharaoh's daughter saw a Hebrew baby in the basket, she had compassion on the child and decided to keep him. Miriam then came forward and offered to find a nurse for the baby. When Miriam brought her mother for a nursemaid, Pharaoh's daughter told her, "Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages" (Exodus 2:9). After "the child grew," his mother brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter so that he could become her son. Pharaoh's daughter called him Moses because she had pulled him from the water. (See Exodus 2:510.)
Summary
Pharaoh, king of Egypt, worried about the large number of Israelites in his land. Thinking they might become a threat to the Egyptians, he decided to make them slaves. They were made to work hard and were treated harshly. Still their numbers grew. So Pharaoh ordered all the baby Israelite boys killed. An Israelite woman named Jochebed protected her baby son by hiding him for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she put him in a basket made from bulrushes and placed the basket in the river. The baby's sister, Miriam, kept watch to see what would happen to him. Pharaoh's daughter noticed the basket and sent a maid to get it. When Pharaoh's daughter saw that the basket held an Israelite baby, she decided to keep him as her own. Miriam came forward and offered to find a nurse for the baby. She brought their own mother, Jochebed. Pharaoh's daughter named the boy Moses.
Artist, George Soper
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

MY WORD: It is now at least 400 years after Joseph and the Israelites have become numerous. Moses is a direct descendant of Levi (one of Jacob's sons, one of Joseph's brothers.) Moses would have been taught by Jochebed (his mother) Hebrew (I had to look that word up in the BD so you do that also pg. 699) and their religious beliefs. He would have been educated very well when he lived as an Egyptian prince with access to great libraries.

ASSIGNMENT: Jochebed is one of my heros! She will be an interesting person to talk to in the next life. How in the world did she become so courageous and faithful? How did she have the strength to take her youngest son and turn him over to another woman to raise...especially when she knew he would be taught false doctrine?! She is definitely a woman we should study and hold up as an example to live by. Who are your heros? Think of the people who have influenced you life....what have they taught you? Why would you want to emmulate them? Who are you being a hero to today? Make a note in your journal or pick up the phone and tell someone how special they are to you today.

Joseph Fleeing from Potiphar's Wife

Genesis 39How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:9
Jacob's son Joseph was sold by some of his brothers to a caravan of Ishmaelite merchants. They took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of the guard for Pharaoh, who was the ruler of Egypt (see Genesis 39:1).
Joseph was a righteous young man, and the Lord blessed him. When Potiphar saw that Joseph worked hard, was trustworthy, and was blessed by the Lord, he appointed him overseer. This meant that Joseph was responsible for Potiphar's house and all that he owned. Because of Joseph's righteousness, the Lord blessed Potiphar's house and fields. (See Genesis 39:25.)
Potiphar's wife desired Joseph because he was handsome and talented. She tried to tempt him to do wrong, but Joseph refused. He told her that Potiphar had trusted him with everything except her. (See Genesis 39:69.) "Thou art his wife," Joseph said, "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9).
Day after day Potiphar's wife tried to get Joseph to do wrong, but he would not (see Genesis 39:10).
One day when Joseph went into the house to take care of his responsibilities, none of the men who worked in the house was there. When Potiphar's wife saw that she was alone with Joseph, she caught hold of his cloak and tried to coax him to come to her. Joseph pulled away and ran, leaving her holding his cloak. (See Genesis 39:1112.)
Potiphar's wife called the men of the house and showed them Joseph's cloak. She told them a false story, saying that Joseph had tried to do wrong with her but that she had "cried with a loud voice" (Genesis 39:14). She told them that when she screamed, Joseph ran away, leaving his cloak (see Genesis 39:15).
When Potiphar came home, his wife showed him Joseph's cloak and told him the same false story (see Genesis 39:1618). Because Potiphar believed his wife, he was angry and had Joseph put into prison (see Genesis 39:1920).
"But the Lord was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:21). He loved Joseph and helped the keeper of the prison to think well of him. Soon the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners and all that went on in the prison. Joseph was successful, even in prison, because he was obedient and the Lord was with him. (See Genesis 39:2123.)
Summary
Joseph was a righteous young man who had been sold into Egypt. He served Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. Potiphar trusted Joseph and gave him an important position in his house. Potiphar's wife liked Joseph and kept trying to get Joseph to do wrong. Joseph refused to give in to her. Then one day Potiphar's wife caught hold of Joseph's cloak and tried to tempt him to sin. Again he refused, and he ran from the room, leaving his cloak in her hand. Potiphar's wife called to the men of the house and claimed that Joseph had come to try to do wrong with her. She told the same untrue story to Potiphar, who had Joseph put into prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and blessed him.
Artist, Del Parson
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: Joseph's story is absolutely amazing! To understand the rest of the Old Testament you will come back to Jacob (Joseph's father) and Jacob's sons (the 12 tribes of Israel...Jacob's name was change by God to Israel) and how they came to the land of Eqypt (where Joseph now is) and were enslaved there. We will get into that more tomorrow. But today I want to share this long quote with you.

"The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was called Israel, is a vivid representation of the great truth that 'all things work together for good to (those) who love God.' (See Romans 8:28) Joseph always seemed to do the right thing; but still, more importantly, he did it for the right reason. And how very very significant that is! Joseph was sold by his own brothers as a slave and was purchased by Potiphar, a captain of the guard of Pharoah. But even as an indentured servant , Joseph turned every experience and all circumstances, no mtter how trying, into something good.

"This ability to turn everthing into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated, because they will not give up. They have the correct, positive attitude, and Dale Carnegie's expression seems to apply: If you feel you have a lemon, you can either complain about how sour it is, or you can make lemonade. It is all up to you." (Hartman Rector, Jr., "Live above the Law to Be Free," Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)

Assignment: Ponder and list lemons that have been made into lemonade in your life! Also...remember this key....do the right things for the right reason...let me submit this...let your love for Jesus Christ be the right reason and everything else will fall into place over time!

Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers

Genesis 37And they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. Genesis 37:28
Joseph was the 11th of Jacob's 12 sons. His older brothers felt that Jacob loved Joseph most, so they were jealous (see Genesis 37:4).
One day Jacob sent Joseph to where his older brothers were tending the flocks, saying, "Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again" (Genesis 37:14). When the brothers saw Joseph coming, one of them said, "Let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him" (Genesis 37:20). The oldest brother, Reuben, did not want to kill Joseph. Instead, he suggested they throw Joseph into a pit and leave him there. Reuben secretly planned to rescue Joseph later and return him to his father. (See Genesis 37:2122.)
When Joseph arrived, his brothers took the "coat of many colours" that his father had given him, and they threw him into a pit (see Genesis 37:2324). Later, some of Joseph's brothers took him out of the pit and sold him to merchants who were going to Egypt. Reuben came to rescue Joseph from the pit and was very upset when he saw that Joseph was gone. (See Genesis 37:2529.)
The brothers dipped Joseph's coat in the blood of a goat and took it to Jacob, their father, who thought that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourned Joseph's death for a long time and could not be comforted. Joseph, however, was still alive. The merchants had taken him to Egypt and sold him as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. (See Genesis 37:3136.)
Summary
Joseph was the 11th of Jacob's 12 sons. Joseph's older brothers were jealous because they felt that Jacob loved Joseph most. When they saw Joseph coming to find them one day, they took the "coat of many colours" his father had given him and then threw him into a pit. Some of the brothers wanted to kill Joseph, but instead they sold him to merchants traveling to Egypt. To hide what they had done, the brothers dipped Joseph's coat in goat's blood and took it to their father. Jacob believed Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob wept and would not be comforted.
Artist, Ted Henninger
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word:

As a parent this story makes me so sad! Obviously to be jealous to the point of murder is heart breaking. How important is it to let each child know they are important to you? Is it possible to have many children and not have one feel left out? (If Heavenly Father says to "be fruitful and multiply and replenish" does He only want us to do that with one or two children at a time so no one feels left out?) Is it only the parent's responsibility to help one of Heavenly Father's children feel special?

Assignment: Look up Psalm 127:3-5 (pg. 800 in the Old Testament) Verse 5 is our favorite, can you guess why? List some things that you can do to reassure your children you love each of them.

Jacob Blessing His Sons

Genesis 22:1718; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 28:3; Genesis 48:21; Genesis 49; 2 Nephi 3:5; Jacob 2:25And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. Genesis 49:12
Jacob received the same blessings from the Lord that his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham, had received. The Lord changed Jacob's name to Israel and promised that his posterity would be as numerous as the stars in the heaven and that through his descendants all the nations of the earth would be blessed. (See Genesis 22:1718; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 28:3.)
When Jacob realized that he would soon die, he called his twelve sons together to give them each a patriarchal (father's) blessing (see Genesis 48:21; Genesis 49:1). Jacob scolded Reuben, Simeon, and Levi for past sins; he then prophesied that Judah's descendants would rule until the coming of Christ (see Genesis 49:312). He said that Dan would be a judge in Israel (see Genesis 49:1618), and he promised Joseph that he would have many descendants who would inherit the American continent and be greatly blessed (see Genesis 49:2226; 2 Nephi 3:5). Jacob also blessed Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, and Benjamin (see Genesis 49:1315, Genesis 49:1921, Genesis 49:27).
Jacob asked to be buried in the land of Canaan in the same cave where his wife Leah; his parents, Isaac and Rebekah; and his grandparents Abraham and Sarah were buried. He died soon after this. (See Genesis 49:2933.)
Summary
Jacob, whose name the Lord changed to Israel, was a righteous prophet who had twelve sons. The family of each son was called a tribe, and they were known as the twelve tribes of Israel. When Jacob grew old he called his family together and blessed each of his sons. Their descendants would bring the blessings of the gospel to many people throughout the world. The Lord had blessed Jacob and had preserved him to become the father of a great nation.
Artist, Harry Anderson
© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Assignment

Read about these people in the Bible Dictionary! They are fascinating! Have you ever heard the phrase "selling out for a mess of pottage" or "losing all for a mess of pottage"? Well look up Genesis 25:29-34, read about Esau and Jacob's transaction. What would be a more modern phrase? Have you ever been Esau?

Jacob had 12 sons, did he have any daughters? Look up Dinah (BD) what happened to her?

Rebekah at the Well

Genesis 24The servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. Genesis 24:1718
When Isaac was old enough to marry, Abraham wanted his son to have a wife who was worthy to receive the blessings of the covenant:
"And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, ...
"... Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, ...
"But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac" (Genesis 24:24).
In obedience to Abraham's command, the servant took 10 camels laden with treasures and traveled to the city of Nahor, which was named after Abraham's brother. As the servant came to the city, he prayed:
"O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
"Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
"And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac" (Genesis 24:1214).
Before the servant "had done speaking," Rebekah came to the well "with her pitcher upon her shoulder" (Genesis 24:15). When the servant asked for water, Rebekah replied: "Drink, my lord: and she hasted, ... and gave him drink.
"And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking" (Genesis 24:1819).
After Rebekah had finished drawing water for all the camels, the servant asked her, "Whose daughter art thou?" When Rebekah told him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor," the servant "bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord" (Genesis 24:2324, Genesis 24:26). The servant knew that "the Lord God ... had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's [grand]daughter unto his son" (Genesis 24:48).
Rebekah took the servant to her home, where he immediately stated his errand. Her father and her brother, Laban, knowing that "the thing proceedeth from the Lord," agreed to the marriage. "And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go" (Genesis 24:50, Genesis 24:58).
Before she left her home, her father and brother "blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions" (Genesis 24:60).
As the servant and Rebekah were nearing the end of their journey, "Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. ... And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her" (Genesis 24:64, Genesis 24:67).
Summary
Abraham wanted his son Isaac to marry a woman who would be worthy to receive the blessings that the Lord had promised to Abraham and his children. He asked his servant to go back to Abraham's land of birth and find a worthy wife for Isaac. The servant prayed that the Lord would show him which woman Isaac should have for a wife by having the woman give him a drink of water and offer to draw water from the well for his animals. As he waited at the well, a beautiful young woman named Rebekah offered to get water for him and his animals to drink. The servant then knew this was the woman the Lord wanted him to take back to be Isaac's wife. Rebekah agreed to become Isaac's wife, and she and Isaac were married.
Artist, Michael Deas
© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Ponder: Some people think women get short changed in the scriptures and in the church. Not so! (In my humble opinion.) One of the themes/principles that seems to be re-occuring for the women is...be patient...wait with faith. Women want to do it all and we want to do it all right now and we want to do it perfectly! Is that Heavenly Father's plan for us? When we try to live that way joy - which we are commanded to have - tends to get lost. Sarah (Abraham's wife, Isaac's mother) had to wait until she was old to have a child. Rebekah was married (to Isaac) for at least 20 yrs. before she had Esau and Jacob.

Several years ago I played the part of Rebekah in a Relief Society meeting. Of course the story of Rebekah is centered around the marriage covenant. I did not have a covenant marriage and wanted it very much. During my portrayal the Holy Ghost let me know that when I did get the covenant marriage the length of time would mean nothing. After 27 years of civil marriage we were finally sealed in the Temple....the Spirit was right!

Assignment: Practice patience! Do the right things for the right reasons and let Heavenly Father direct your life on His time! Learn more about these people by reading about them in the Bible Dictionary.

Abraham Taking Isaac to Be Sacrificed

Genesis 21:18; Genesis 22And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took ... Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Genesis 22:3
When Abraham was 100 years old, he and his wife Sarah were blessed with a baby son. They named him Isaac, and they were happy and loved him. (See Genesis 21:18.)
One day the Lord said to Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering, upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee" (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 22:2). As difficult as this would be, Abraham prepared to obey the Lord. He began his journey to the mountain early in the morning, taking Isaac, two young servants, a donkey, and wood for the burnt offering (see Genesis 22:3). On the third day of the journey, Abraham left the two servants and the donkey, saying that he and Isaac would go farther to worship (see Genesis 22:45). Isaac carried the wood, and Abraham took a knife (see Genesis 22:6).
Isaac was puzzled and he asked his father, "Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7).
Abraham answered, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:8).
When they reached the place that God had revealed, Abraham built an altar. Then he put the wood across the altar, tied Isaac up, and laid him on the wood. (See Genesis 22:9.) Abraham sadly "stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son" (Genesis 22:10).
But at that moment an angel of the Lord called, "Abraham, Abraham: ... Lay not thine hand upon the lad" (Genesis 22:1112). Abraham did not have to kill his son, but his willingness to obey this difficult command proved that he was obedient and that he loved God.
After the angel had spoken, Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket (bush). He then took the ram and offered it for a burnt offering in place of Isaac. (See Genesis 22:13.)
The angel spoke again to Abraham, telling him that the Lord would "multiply [his] seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore" (Genesis 22:17). The angel also said that Abraham's family would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth because Abraham had obeyed the Lord (see Genesis 22:1518).
Summary
Abraham was 100 years old when he and his wife Sarah were blessed with a son, Isaac. The Lord one day told Abraham to take Isaac to a mountain and offer him as a sacrifice. Although this was a difficult commandment, Abraham trusted the Lord and obediently took Isaac to the mountain. As Abraham took the knife to slay his son, he was stopped by an angel of the Lord. Abraham did not have to kill Isaac after all. He looked up and saw a ram, which he offered as a sacrifice instead. Because Abraham was willing to obey, the Lord promised that he would have many descendants and that his family would bless all nations.
Artist, Del Parson
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

THIS LIFE IS ONLY A TEST: This story gives us much to think and ponder about. For instance; Abraham knew human sacrifice was evil, why didn't Isaac run away, why would the LORD bless you with a son only to command you to sacrifice him, etc. Why did Abraham need to go through this kind of test?

Assignment:Read and ponder Doctrine and Covenants 82:3. What has Heavenly Father given us? See Revelation 3: 21 (pg. 1569 of the New Testament) What might be required from you in order to receive "all that My Father hath"?

Look these scriptures up: Doc. and Cov. 78:7; 84:36-38; 132:20-21 or go to the Topical Guide and study under Man, Potential to Become like Heavenly Father.

Did Abraham meet the "requirements"? Will any less be expected from us?

An Angel Saves Abraham

Abraham 1Behold, I lifted up my voice unto the Lord my God, and the Lord hearkened and heard, ... and the angel of his presence stood by me, and immediately unloosed my bands. Abraham 1:15
Abraham was a righteous man who lived in the city of Ur in the land of Chaldea. He desired great knowledge and wanted to find more happiness and peace in his life. He also wanted the blessings that could come with the priesthood of God. Because of his faithfulness, Abraham received the priesthood and was ordained a high priest. (See Abraham 1:14.)
Abraham's father and some of his relatives had turned away from the Lord. They worshiped idols and offered human sacrifices. Abraham tried to get them to repent and return to the Lord, but they would not listen to him. They even wanted to have Abraham killed. (See Abraham 1:57.)
The priest of Elkenah (Elkenah was one of the false gods Abraham's family worshiped) was also the priest of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. It was the custom for this priest to offer sacrifices of men, women, and children on an altar. (See Abraham 1:711.) This altar was in the form of a bed and stood before the idols of their gods (see Abraham 1:1314).
One day the wicked priest of Elkenah tied Abraham to this altar to kill him as a sacrifice. Abraham prayed, and the Lord answered his prayer. An angel appeared and untied Abraham from the altar. (See Abraham 1:15.)
The Lord said, "Abraham, Abraham, behold, my name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away from thy father's house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of" (Abraham 1:16).
The Lord told Abraham to leave Ur because his family had turned away from the Lord and had started worshiping false gods (see Abraham 1:1617). The Lord said, "I have come down ... to destroy [the priest] who hath lifted up his hand against thee, Abraham, my son, to take away thy life" (Abraham 1:17).
Then the Lord told Abraham, "Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee. ... Through thy ministry my name shall be known in the earth forever, for I am thy God" (Abraham 1:1819).
The Lord destroyed the altar and idols of the false gods and killed the priest of Elkenah (see Abraham 1:20). "There was great mourning [among the wicked people of Ur] and also in the court of Pharaoh" (Abraham 1:20).
The Lord sent a famine and the people suffered. Abraham's father was humbled, and he repented of his wicked desire to have Abraham killed. (See Abraham 1:2930.)
The Lord gave sacred records to Abraham to keep and write on. These records told of the Creation and of the planets and stars. It also gave a history, or lineage, of the priesthood as it had been handed down. (See Abraham 1:31.)
Summary
Abraham was a righteous man who lived in a city called Ur. His father and other relatives had turned away from the Lord to worship idols. Abraham wanted his family to repent, but they would not listen. They had a wicked priest tie Abraham to an altar as a sacrifice to one of their false gods. Abraham prayed to Heavenly Father, and the Lord sent an angel to untie him. The Lord told Abraham to leave Ur and promised to lead him and bless him. The Lord destroyed the altar, the idols, and the wicked priest, and then sent a famine upon the land. Abraham's father repented for having desired Abraham's death. Abraham was given sacred records to keep that told about creation and about the priesthood.
Artist, Del Parson
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

ASSIGNMENT: Learn more about this covenant by reading on page 602 of the Bible Dictionary (before maps but after Topical Guide) under the heading Abraham, Covenant of. What is the first step to this covenant? Have you made this covenant with proper authority? If you have made the first covenant step, what other blessings are yours?

Read Abraham 1:1-4 In what ways are you like Abraham? What is your duty to yourself and God? (These are some of my most favorite scriptures to teach from...do you understand why?)

Noah, Ark and Animals

Genesis 6-7; Moses 8Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Genesis 6:22
During a time when almost everyone on the earth was wicked, the Lord called Noah to teach people the gospel. Noah told them to repent and be baptized or they would be destroyed by floods, but the people would not listen. Some of them were so angry with Noah that they wanted to kill him, but the Lord protected him. (See Genesis 6:5; Moses 8:1826.)
When the people would not repent, the Lord told Noah that He would "bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh" (Genesis 6:17). To protect Noah and his family from this great flood, the Lord commanded Noah to build an ark. The ark was to have three levels, many rooms, a window on the top, and a door in the side. Noah was to use pitch, or tar, to make the ark watertight, and the ark would be about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. (See Genesis 6:1416.)
Noah and his sons built the ark according to the Lord's instructions (see Genesis 6:22; Genesis 7:5). The Lord told them to take at least one male and one female "of every living thing of all flesh" (Genesis 6:19). They also had to take food for the animals and for themselves (see Genesis 6:21).
When the ark was finished and everything was ready, Noah and his family boarded the ark along with the animals (see Genesis 7:7). Noah was now 600 years old, and the flood waters were about to come upon the earth (see Genesis 7:6). Noah had obeyed the Lord in preaching the gospel, building the ark, and gathering the animals.
Summary
Noah and his family were righteous persons who lived at a time when nearly everyone on the earth was wicked. The Lord called Noah to teach the gospel to the people. Noah warned them that if they did not repent, floods would come to destroy them. When the people would not repent, the Lord told Noah to build an ark to protect his family and at least two of every animal during the Flood. Noah obeyed, and when the Flood came Noah's family and the animals were safe aboard the ark.
Artist, Harry Anderson
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Genesis 6:1221; Genesis 7:211; Genesis 8There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. Genesis 7:9
Because of the wickedness of the people during Noah's time, God caused a flood to cover the entire earth with water. Noah and his family were righteous, so God spared their lives. He commanded Noah to build an ark so they would not drown. He also commanded Noah to save the animals so that they would not be destroyed. (See Genesis 6:1219.)
Noah built an ark big enough to take at least two of every animal on board. He was commanded, "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female ... and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Genesis 7:23, Genesis 7:8).
Noah and his family lived on the ark with the animals for over a year (see Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:14). When the earth had recovered from the Flood, Noah brought the animals out of the ark so they could "be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth" (Genesis 8:17).
Summary
Because of the righteousness of Noah and his family, the Lord told Noah to build an ark so that his family would be safe during the flooding of the earth. The Lord also commanded Noah to gather each type of animal, male and female, so that they would not be destroyed. All kinds of animals, birds, and creeping things went into the ark. The rains and floods lasted many days. When the water had gone down and the land was dry again, Noah brought the animals out of the ark to multiply upon the earth.
Artist, Clark Kelley Price
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Enoch was Noah's Great-grandfather. Noah was probably just a young man when Enoch and his city where taken from the earth. But even if Noah didn't know Enoch he certainly would have know Enoch's son Methuselah (Noah's Grandfather) as Methuselah lived 969 years (the oldest person recorded.) Again think what knowledge would have past to Noah from these Patriarchs. Noah preached for 120 yrs. for the people to repent or be destroyed. I wonder if it took him that long to build the ark and get it prepared?

ASSIGNMENT: Ponder: Does Heavenly Father destroy without reason? Does He punish just because He has the power too? If you have children, why do you "punish" them.....power trip or instruction because you love them and want what is best for them? What were the benefits of the wicked being destroyed while preserving all the animals and a few righteous people?
Remember: God is Love....He operates out of love for us! Practice remembering this when times are difficult.

Enoch and his people

Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; Moses 6:2639; Moses 7:121; Moses 7:6769And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. Moses 7:18
Enoch was a great prophet in ancient times. When he was young the Lord called him to preach repentance to the people (see Moses 6:27). Enoch did not feel qualified for this great work, and he bowed himself before the Lord and asked, "Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech?" (Moses 6:31). The Lord blessed Enoch and promised to protect him and give him the words he should speak if Enoch would go forth and obey (see Moses 6:32).
Enoch taught his people as the Savior instructed. He was so obedient and faithful that he was blessed to see the Lord and talk with Him face to face (see Moses 7:4). Enoch's faith was so great that even the mountains and rivers moved according to his command (see Moses 7:13).
Many of the people Enoch preached to believed his words and repented. They kept the commandments of God and lived so righteously that "the Lord came and dwelt with [them]" (Moses 7:16). Enoch and his people received great blessings because of their faithfulness. They built a city called the City of Holiness, or Zion, where the people lived in peace, unity, and prosperity (see Moses 7:1819). As the people of Enoch followed the Lord, they became more like Him. They grew so righteous that they were taken up to heaven without tasting death to live forever in the presence of God.
Summary
When Enoch was a young man the Lord told him to tell the people to repent. Enoch told the people what the Lord had said. Many believed Enoch's words, repented, and were baptized. These people built a city, Zion, where they lived together in peace, sharing all they had. The people in Zion became so righteous that they were taken up to heaven to live forever in the presence of God.
Artist, Del Parson
© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Enoch's Great-great-great-great-grandfather was Adam. Enoch was born when Adam was about 500 yrs. old (Adam lived to be 930 yrs. old!) What stories do you think Adam told Enoch? Do you think if you share your spiritual experiences with your children it will make a difference in their lives?

Assignment: Write in your journal a story or advice your Grandpa or Grandma has told/given you. How has it impacted your life? Has it...will it?

Personal story: A few years ago we had four generations of women at my mother's house. We were visiting and soon we started talking about moments of inspiration/impressions (promptings from the Holy Ghost.) My grandmother (whom I always considered "inactive," not really interested in the gospel) told us of a time when she was a young mother and was prompted to check on her children. I don't remember the details but her sharing that experience changed my opinion of her and her love of Heavenly Father. I am truly grateful for that experience.

Adam and Eve Teach Their Children

Moses 5:12, Moses 5:5, Moses 5:1012, Moses 5:58; Moses 6:1And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. Moses 5:12
After Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden, they began to work to feed and clothe themselves. They also had a large family with many sons and daughters. (See Moses 5:12.)
The Lord gave Adam and Eve commandments, and they obeyed them (see Moses 5:5). They realized that their family was a blessing and knew that if they lived worthily, they would once again see Heavenly Father and be able to live with Him (see Moses 5:1011).
"Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and [taught] all things ... unto their sons and their daughters" (Moses 5:12). They taught their children the gospel, to have faith in Jesus Christ, and to repent (see Moses 5:58; Moses 6:1).
Summary
After Adam and Eve were sent out of the Garden of Eden to live in the world, they worked very hard to provide for the needs of their children. They had many children and taught them the gospel and the ways of the Lord.
Artist, Del Parson
© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

Assignment: Also read Doctrine and Covenants 68 (starting pg. 125) looking for instruction to parents. Also, Mosiah 4:14-15 (pg. 156 in Book of Mormon.)
What gift does Heavenly Father want all of his children to receive? Why would he give this gift to those as young as eight years old? How can you apply the words found in Mosiah in your own family?

Adam and Eve

Genesis 13; Moses 24And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Genesis 3:20
Adam and Eve were the first man and woman to live on the earth (see Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7, Genesis 2:2122; Genesis 3:20). God blessed them and told them to have children (see Genesis 1:28). Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, where they could talk with and see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see Genesis 2:8).
There were many trees in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam and Eve they could eat fruit from all the trees except one: the tree of knowledge of good and evil. "Nevertheless," the Lord said, "thou mayest choose for thyself ... ; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Moses 3:17; see also Genesis 2:9, Genesis 2:1617; Moses 3:9, Moses 3:16).
Satan came to the garden and tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve told Satan that the Lord had commanded her and Adam not to eat it or they would be cast out of the garden to die. (See Genesis 3:13; Moses 4:89.)
Satan lied, telling Eve, "Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4; Moses 4:10). He also said the fruit would make her wise so she would know good and evil (see Genesis 3:5; Moses 4:11). Eve chose to eat the fruit. Then she gave some of the fruit to Adam, and he also ate. (See Genesis 3:6; Moses 4:12.) When Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord, they hid because they were ashamed that they had disobeyed God (see Genesis 3:8; Moses 4:14).
When God asked Adam and Eve if they had eaten the forbidden fruit, they confessed that they had (see Genesis 3:1113; Moses 4:1719). God cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:23; Moses 4:29).
Even though they had to leave the beautiful garden, Adam and Eve believed that God loved them, and they had faith that He would send Jesus Christ to be their Savior.
Summary
Adam and Eve were the first man and woman to live on the earth. God placed them in the Garden of Eden and told them not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He told them, however, that they could choose for themselves but to remember that eating the fruit was forbidden and that they would die if they ate it. Later Satan came to the garden and tempted Eve to eat the fruit. She chose to do so and then gave some of the fruit to Adam, who also ate. As a result, God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden. They were now mortal and would one day die, but they had faith that God would send Jesus Christ to be their Savior.
Artist, Lowell Bruce Bennett
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

The above text is found on the back of the first picture.

Assignment: Also read Abraham 5. Read and ponder about Adam and Eve's decisions. Was Heavenly Fathers' plan for mankind thwarted or did He know what choices they would make? Pay close attention to the wording in Gen. 3:17 and Moses 4:23 .... what was cursed and why? What does "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Gen. 3:19) mean? In today's world do people recognize this as a "blessing" from Heavenly Father?

The Creation

Moses 1:31, 39 Moses 7:30 (Moses is found in the Pearl of Great Price ... after the Doctrine and Covenants...just before the index) Mosiah 4:9 (Book of Mormon pg. 155)

(Artist...Stanley Galli)
Genesis 1:20-25 (First book in the Old Testament) Moses 2:20-25 and Abraham 4: 20-25 (Pearl of Great Price....you were just there.)

Assignment: Read all of Genesis 1, Moses 2, Abraham 4
Do you notice any differences? As you look around you today and notice the "creation" what are your feelings...record them and give thanks!

Why Did We Start With Jesus?

It's important to understand Christ's relationship to Heavenly Father and to us. We must know he is who he says he is...The Son of God. A friend of mine says, "He either is the Son of God or he's a liar!" There is our choice...as simple as that and all it implies!

I love the above cd therefore highly recommend it.

2nd Song:

Before the World Was
Before the world was-
Before the order of the stars came to be-
Before the planets-
Before the swirling of the vast galaxies-
Was the Father.
Our parents' wisdom
Had clothed intelligence with spirit and life.
And from their wisdom,
The new-born spirit now emerging in light
Was Jehovah.
He was the first-born,
He was the greatest of the children of God.
The Father's right hand-
The Father's image in perfection and grace-
Was Jehovah.
As sons and daughters-
As fiery sparks before our Father and God-
As spirit children-
Now given form and shape through God's
surging love-
There were we.
And we danced in the heavens
With the joy of our lives
And we shouted the praises
Of our God!
And we sang out in glory-
As the children of the morning,
And Jehovah was the greatest of all!
The host was gathered-
A heavenly council
to announce the great plan.
The Father's purpose-
The immortality and glory of man.
Hallelujah!
A new creation-
A shining world to be the home of our birth.
And as a ransom-
A living sacrifice for all on the earth-
Was Jehovah.
And we danced in the heavens
With the joy of our lives!
And we shouted the praises
Of our God!
And we sang out in glory
As the children of the morning,
And Jehovah was the greatest of all!
Before the world was-
Before the order of the stars came to be-
Was Jehovah.


Jehovah, the firstborn of the Father. God of the Old Testament. Out of worlds without number, he came to live on the earth. And his name was called Jesus, meaning "God is help" or "Savior".

By Steven Kapp Perry and Janice Kapp Perry

Assignment: Ponder the words of the song. Did you learn anything new? Ask away.....

In The Beginning Was....The Word, Creator, Jehovah, Advocate, The Only Begotten of the Father, The Mediator, The Lamb, Savior, Redeember, Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 25:26 (pg. 100 in the Book of Mormon)
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Assignment: Learn at least 10 names that Jesus is known by. (Start on page 240 of the Topical Guide in your LDS edition of the Scriptures...before the map section.) Does one mean more to you than another? Keep a personal study journal....measure your spiritual growth and scripture knowledge beginning today.

PS. This has not been a favorite picture of the Savior for me but....the more I look at it I love it! He seems so bland and smudgy....but then those eyes! WOW!