Old Testament Student Manual 1: Genesis - 2 Samuel

Institute Manuals

by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This Church Educational System manual includes interpretive commentary, enrichment sections, historical and cultural insights, maps, and charts relating to the Old Testament. Includes commentary on the book of Psalms. For institute course Religion 301. Also useful for individual and family study.

Genres: Lds, Religion, Nonfiction, Church, Mormonism, Spirituality, Faith

360 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really nice and well-organized student manual prepared by the Church Educational System and published by the LDS Church. The book starts out with colored maps (elevation, the Old Testament World, the course of Exodus, Old Testament Palestine), flow charts of dispensation, Abraham's lineage, and a chronology chart to include the Book of Mormon peoples (Jaredites, Nephites, and Lamanites), coinage comparisons, and standard volumes/measurements/weights, and the Jewish calendar.

This volume gives aid to understanding the Old Testament. Each chapter is a segment that includes an introduction, notes and commentary, and points to ponder.

The book is obviously written from an LDS stance because many reference and back-up evidence comes from the Church. These sources include the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Lectures of Faith, etc. They also reference LDS figures like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Ezra Taft Benson, and Bruce R. McConkie to name a few.

Something interesting was the explanation of the Urim and Thummim, the two special seer stones or interpreters, both plural, meaning "light" and "perfections", pg. 152

I would recommend this book to aid anyone wanting to gain more understanding of the Old Testament. Thanks!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right now with Seminary in full swing, this is the only books I'm reading. The Old Testament and the manuals for it! I love the scriptures!!!

Follow-up: Just finished teaching from this and cannot believe the incredible wealth of knowledge it added to my scripture study!

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a student manual so not a book I would read "for fun" but it was helpful in many places by giving me historical context to go along with what was happening in the Old Testament. There were times that I found it lacking, it didn't touch on things I had questions about while other times they explained things that were seemingly obviously - but with a book like this you won't please all the people all the time. It's not meant to be an in-depth study of the Bible, just a basic starter in a way. And for that, it did a good job.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me some time to work through the Old Testament student manuals as I read them while I was studying the Old Testament, but I learned so much. These books really helped me understand the Old Testament so much better than I had and as a result I gained an appreciation for the Old Testament.

Because it helped me understand how to study the Old Testament better I have been able to apply what I have learned to other scriptures, like the Book of Mormon.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This student manual is incredibly helpful in understanding the Old Testament. When archaic symbolism and terms are explained, it's so much easier to not only understand, but also to appreciate the beauty of this holy literature. Highly recommended as a companion to studying the Old Testament.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me 5 years to study the Old Testament with my older kids using these guides. LOVED it! I am starting the process again with the next two...but we are using a different study guides. Not because these weren't wonderful - just because I like variety. :0)

[Wachlin007 Hotmail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided a lot of valuable insights and background information as I studied the Old Testament.

[Jodi]

This has been a great resource for me in my scripture study.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice resource to go with reading the Old Testament.

[Cannon Sharp · Rating 1 out of 5]

This manual doesn’t represent Church doctrine, history, or scripture fairly or accurately. Unfortunately this is still in wide use. When I lived in Brazil many members studied with this thing. The Genesis section of this book is very impartial, secular and one sided. It draws heavily from Joseph Fielding Smith’s Man His Origin and Destiny, imposing the false dichotomy that you have to accept either the creation or evolution, no negotiations. It quotes at length Seventh Day Adventist young earth creationists and even a fringe Russian catastrophist Immanuel Velikovsky to advance its agenda. It completely excludes the teaching of Talmage, Widtsoe, McKay, and others in the church w/r/t evolutionary theory and the age of the earth.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott and I are reading this together. We just finished this book 1 this morning. It’s so great to read the manual and then the scriptures. It makes our understanding increase. I highly recommend those who love scriptures to read them together.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the parts that correlated with Come Follow Me for 2022. Some of the commentaries were better than others. Many of them were dated. Good resource that I'll refer back to in the future but I doubt I'll try to read as much as I did this time.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really needed the illumination provided in this manual to help me understand the teachings of the Old Testament.

[Stina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights and understanding.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

read at least 4 times -- first could actually record

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me 2.5 years to go through this. I used this manual for supplementary material, but it was good for deep insights on the history, doctrine and principles for half of the Old Testament.

The key to understanding the Law of Moses is to look for Christ. If we look for the Savior in the Old Testament, we will find Him.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a way to improve your Bible study? This book as a reading companion to the Bible has helped me to really dig in and find the beauty of the bible. The bible always seemed so daunting to read and dry in between the famous stories most Christians know. But this book explores the culture and depth of information and scripture the bible is. I wouldn't recommend reading the Bible without understanding this information first. This book can help with that.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goal is to read the Old and New Testament this year. It is taking a long time because I read the student manuals simultaneously, but the student manuals are awesome because they help me figure out what's happening in the story!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the great insight it give into the customs of ancient Israel and the symbology explained as witnesses to Christ.

[Bridget]

Have this book

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great companion book to read as you study the Old Testament. There are many good insights to culture and history. It is also and great reference book.

[Rayni · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was simply awesome. I studied the Old Testament in a high school religion class. I learned so much more with this manual.

[Jimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My urim and thummim for the Bible. Great resource.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped in my understanding of the Bible.

[Jennifer Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about ancient Israel, the law of Moses, and the teachings of Jehovah.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, thorough study guide. There were a lot of passages that I needed help understanding, and this book was a big help.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome study guide for reading the Old Testament! It is so well done. My understanding of the Old Testament has grown exponentially.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this to go along with our course of study in sunday school. it was interesting and helped me make sence of the old testimant. you can find this book for free on the gospel library app.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great insights to help understand the Old Testament better.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must reading if you plan to read the old testament.