Prepared by the Church Educational System
Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah
© 1998, 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
English approval: 10/02
| How to Use This Manual | 1 |
| Studying the Scriptures | 2 |
| Old Testament Reading Chart | 6 |
| Welcome to the Old Testament | 7 |
| The Books of Genesis, Moses, and Abraham | 9 |
| Abraham 3 The Premortal Life and Council in Heaven | 9 |
| Moses 1 “This Is My Work and My Glory” | 10 |
| Genesis 1; Moses 2 The Creation | 11 |
| Genesis 2; Moses 3 The Creation of Eve | 12 |
| Genesis 3; Moses 4 The Fall | 13 |
| Genesis 4; Moses 5 Sacrifice and the Family of Adam | 14 |
| Genesis 5; Moses 6 Enoch Teaches the First Principles of the Gospel | 16 |
| Genesis 5; Moses 7 Zion Taken into Heaven | 17 |
| Genesis 6; Moses 8 Noah’s Preaching | 18 |
| Genesis 7 The Flood | 19 |
| Genesis 8 The Rain Stops | 20 |
| Genesis 9 A New Start | 20 |
| Genesis 10 Noah’s Descendants | 21 |
| Genesis 11 The Tower of Babel | 21 |
| Abraham 1 Abraham Desires the Priesthood | 22 |
| Abraham 2 Abraham Receives Covenants from God | 22 |
| Genesis 12–13 Let There Be No Strife | 23 |
| Genesis 14 Abraham Meets with Melchizedek | 24 |
| Genesis 15 A Covenant Confirmed | 24 |
| Genesis 16 Abraham Marries Hagar | 25 |
| Genesis 17 The Abrahamic Covenant | 25 |
| Genesis 18 “Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?” | 26 |
| Genesis 19 Sodom and Gomorrah | 27 |
| Genesis 20–21 A Promise Fulfilled | 27 |
| Genesis 22 The Sacrifice of Isaac | 27 |
| Genesis 23 Sarah Dies | 29 |
| Genesis 24 A Wife for Isaac | 29 |
| Genesis 25 What Is the Value of the Covenant? | 29 |
| Genesis 26–27 Jacob Received Covenant Blessings | 30 |
| Genesis 28 Jacob’s Sacred Experience | 31 |
| Genesis 29 The Children of Jacob, Part 1 | 31 |
| Genesis 30 The Children of Jacob, Part 2 | 32 |
| Genesis 31 Jacob Leaves Padan-aram | 32 |
| Genesis 32 Jacob Travels toward Home | 33 |
| Genesis 33 Jacob Meets Esau | 33 |
| Genesis 34 Vengeful Acts of Jacob’s Sons | 33 |
| Genesis 35 Jacob Returns to Bethel | 34 |
| Genesis 36–37 Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors | 34 |
| Genesis 38–39 Joseph’s Righteousness | 35 |
| Genesis 40 Joseph in Prison | 36 |
| Genesis 41 Joseph and the Pharaoh | 36 |
| Genesis 42 Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt | 37 |
| Genesis 43 Joseph’s Brothers Return to Egypt | 38 |
| Genesis 44 Joseph Tests His Brothers | 38 |
| Genesis 45 Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers | 38 |
| Genesis 46 Father and Son Reunited! | 39 |
| Genesis 47–48 Jacob Adopts Joseph’s Sons | 39 |
| Genesis 49 Patriarchal Blessings for Israel’s Sons | 40 |
| Genesis 50 Jacob and Joseph Die | 41 |
| The Book of Exodus | 41 |
| Exodus 1 Courageous Midwives | 42 |
| Exodus 2 Moses’ Early Life | 42 |
| Exodus 3 The Burning Bush | 43 |
| Exodus 4 Moses Returns to Egypt | 43 |
| Exodus 5 Hard-Hearted Pharaoh | 44 |
| Exodus 6 I Am the Lord | 44 |
| Exodus 7–10 The Plagues | 44 |
| Exodus 11–12 The Passover | 45 |
| Exodus 13 The Firstborn | 47 |
| Exodus 14 Crossing the Red Sea | 47 |
| Exodus 15 Murmuring, Part 1 | 48 |
| Exodus 16 Murmuring, Part 2 | 48 |
| Exodus 17 Murmuring, Part 3 | 49 |
| Exodus 18 Keeping Moses from Wearing Away | 49 |
| Exodus 19 At Mount Sinai | 50 |
| Exodus 20 The Ten Commandments | 51 |
| Exodus 21–23 An Eye for an Eye, and a Tooth for a Tooth | 51 |
| Exodus 24 Seventy Elders See God | 52 |
| Exodus 25–27; 30 The Tabernacle | 52 |
| Exodus 28–29 The Priests in the Temple | 53 |
| Exodus 31 Men Called to Work on the Tabernacle | 54 |
| Exodus 32 The Golden Calf | 54 |
| Exodus 33 Moses Sees the Lord Again | 55 |
| Exodus 34 The Lesser Law | 55 |
| Exodus 35–40 The Tabernacle Is Built and Dedicated | 56 |
| The Book of Leviticus | 56 |
| Leviticus 1 The Burnt Offering | 56 |
| Leviticus 2–7 Other Offerings | 57 |
| Leviticus 8–9 The Consecration of Aaron and His Sons | 57 |
| Leviticus 10 Priesthood Holders Must Be Holy | 58 |
| Leviticus 11 A “Word of Wisdom” for the Israelites | 58 |
| Leviticus 12 Clean and Unclean | 59 |
| Leviticus 13–14 Leprosy | 59 |
| Leviticus 15–16 The Day of Atonement | 60 |
| Leviticus 17–18 Avoid Idolatrous Practices | 60 |
| Leviticus 19–20 “Be Holy for I Am Holy” | 61 |
| Leviticus 21–22 Holiness of the Priesthood | 61 |
| Leviticus 23–25 Holy Days and Events | 61 |
| Leviticus 26–27 Blessings or Cursings | 62 |
| The Book of Numbers | 62 |
| Numbers 1–4 The Census | 63 |
| Numbers 5–8 Additions to the Law of Moses | 63 |
| Numbers 9 The First Passover in the Wilderness | 64 |
| Numbers 10 Leaving Sinai | 65 |
| Numbers 11 The Israelites Driven by Their Appetites | 65 |
| Numbers 12 Sustaining or Rejecting the Prophet | 66 |
| Numbers 13–14 Scoping Out the Promised Land | 66 |
| Numbers 15 Obtaining Forgiveness | 67 |
| Numbers 16 Rebellion against the Prophet | 67 |
| Numbers 17–19 A Follow-up to a Tragic Incident | 67 |
| Numbers 20 Thirty-Eight Years of Frustration | 68 |
| Numbers 21 The Brass Serpent | 68 |
| Numbers 22–24 The Story of Balaam | 69 |
| Numbers 25–26 Cursing Israel | 70 |
| Numbers 27 Choosing a New Leader for Israel | 70 |
| Numbers 28–30 Old Commandments Still Apply | 70 |
| Numbers 31 Balaam Dies | 70 |
| Numbers 32 Land for Reuben and Gad | 70 |
| Numbers 33–36 Instructions for the Promised Land | 71 |
| The Book of Deuteronomy | 71 |
| Deuteronomy 1–3 A Review of History | 71 |
| Deuteronomy 4 “Take Heed to Thyself” | 72 |
| Deuteronomy 5 The Ten Commandments | 72 |
| Deuteronomy 6 The Great Commandment | 72 |
| Deuteronomy 7 Marry in the Covenant | 73 |
| Deuteronomy 8 Remember! | 73 |
| Deuteronomy 9–10 The Lord Will Help | 74 |
| Deuteronomy 11 Blessings or Cursings—You Choose | 74 |
| Deuteronomy 12–13 Avoid Evil Practices | 74 |
| Deuteronomy 14–17 Practices of God’s People | 74 |
| Deuteronomy 18 True and False Prophets | 75 |
| Deuteronomy 19–25 Specific Laws for a Chosen People | 75 |
| Deuteronomy 26 Our Debt to God | 75 |
| Deuteronomy 27–28 Blessings and Cursings | 75 |
| Deuteronomy 29–30 Returning to the Lord | 76 |
| Deuteronomy 31–32 The Song of Moses | 77 |
| Deuteronomy 33 Blessings for Each Tribe | 77 |
| Deuteronomy 34 Farewell to Moses | 78 |
| The Book of Joshua | 78 |
| Joshua 1 “Be Strong and of a Good Courage” | 79 |
| Joshua 2 Spies in Jericho | 79 |
| Joshua 3–4 Crossing the Jordan River | 80 |
| Joshua 5 A Special Visitor | 80 |
| Joshua 6 The Walls Came Tumbling Down | 81 |
| Joshua 7 Conquering the City of Ai | 81 |
| Joshua 8 Conquering Ai | 82 |
| Joshua 9 Tricked by the Gibeonites | 82 |
| Joshua 10 The Sun and Moon Stand Still | 82 |
| Joshua 11–21 The Conquest of Canaan Continues | 83 |
| Joshua 22 Settling the East Side of the Jordan | 83 |
| Joshua 23–24 “Choose You This Day” | 83 |
| The Book of Judges | 84 |
| Judges 1 Who Shall Fight for Us? | 84 |
| Judges 2–3 Ehud Delivers Israel | 85 |
| Judges 4–5 Deborah the Prophetess | 85 |
| Judges 6–8 Gideon | 85 |
| Judges 9–10 The Cycle Continues | 86 |
| Judges 11–12 The Story of Jephthah | 86 |
| Judges 13 The Birth of Samson | 86 |
| Judges 14–15 One Mistake after Another | 87 |
| Judges 16 Samson and Delilah | 87 |
| Judges 17–21 Israel Suffers for Disobedience | 88 |
| The Book of Ruth | 88 |
| Ruth 1 “Where You Will Go, I Will Go” | 88 |
| Ruth 2 Ruth Meets Boaz | 89 |
| Ruth 3–4 Ruth and Boaz Marry | 89 |
| The First Book of Samuel | 90 |
| 1 Samuel 1 “For This Child I Prayed” | 90 |
| 1 Samuel 2 Eli’s Sons | 91 |
| 1 Samuel 3 Samuel Hears the Lord | 92 |
| 1 Samuel 4–6 The Ark of the Covenant | 92 |
| 1 Samuel 7 Repentance Brings the Victory | 92 |
| 1 Samuel 8 “Give Us a King” | 93 |
| 1 Samuel 9–10 Saul Anointed King | 94 |
| 1 Samuel 11 Saul Leads Israel to Battle | 94 |
| 1 Samuel 12 The Lord Is Still King | 95 |
| 1 Samuel 13 Saul Acts Foolishly | 95 |
| 1 Samuel 14 A Foolish Oath | 95 |
| 1 Samuel 15 The Importance of Obedience | 95 |
| 1 Samuel 16 The Lord Chooses a New King | 96 |
| 1 Samuel 17 David and Goliath | 96 |
| 1 Samuel 18–23 Saul Seeks David’s Life | 97 |
| 1 Samuel 24 Respect for the Lord’s Anointed | 97 |
| 1 Samuel 25–26 Love Your Enemies | 98 |
| 1 Samuel 27 David among the Philistines | 98 |
| 1 Samuel 28 Saul’s Spiritual Darkness | 98 |
| 1 Samuel 29–31 David’s Success and Saul’s Death | 99 |
| The Second Book of Samuel | 99 |
| 2 Samuel 1–3 After Saul’s Death | 99 |
| 2 Samuel 4–5 David Becomes King | 99 |
| 2 Samuel 6 The Ark of the Covenant Comes to Jerusalem | 100 |
| 2 Samuel 7 David Wants to Build a Temple | 100 |
| 2 Samuel 8–10 David’s Political and Personal Success | 100 |
| 2 Samuel 11–12 David’s Tragic Mistakes | 101 |
| 2 Samuel 13–14 The Sins of David’s Children | 102 |
| 2 Samuel 15–18 Absalom Seeks to Be King | 103 |
| 2 Samuel 19–20 Continued Troubles for David | 103 |
| 2 Samuel 21–23 More about David | 103 |
| 2 Samuel 24 More of David’s Mistakes | 103 |
| The First Book of the Kings | 104 |
| 1 Kings 1–2 The Death of David | 104 |
| 1 Kings 3 What Shall I Give Thee? | 104 |
| 1 Kings 4 Solomon Organizes the Kingdom | 105 |
| 1 Kings 5–7 Solomon Builds a Temple | 105 |
| 1 Kings 8 The Temple Is Dedicated | 105 |
| 1 Kings 9 The Lord Appears to Solomon | 106 |
| 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba Visits | 107 |
| 1 Kings 11 Solomon Turns from the Lord | 107 |
| 1 Kings 12 A Divided Kingdom | 107 |
| 1 Kings 13–14 Double Trouble | 108 |
| 1 Kings 15–16 New Kings, Old Problems | 108 |
| 1 Kings 17 Elijah the Prophet | 108 |
| 1 Kings 18 Elijah versus 450 Priests of Baal | 109 |
| 1 Kings 19 Elijah Learns More about the Holy Ghost | 110 |
| 1 Kings 20–21 Ahab’s Continued Disobedience | 110 |
| 1 Kings 22 The Prophet Micaiah | 110 |
| The Second Book of the Kings | 111 |
| 2 Kings 1 The King Seeks Help from Idols | 111 |
| 2 Kings 2 Elijah Taken into Heaven | 111 |
| 2 Kings 3–4 Miracles | 112 |
| 2 Kings 5 The Healing of Naaman | 113 |
| 2 Kings 6–7 Trust the Prophet | 113 |
| 2 Kings 8 Righteousness amid Great Wickedness | 114 |
| 2 Kings 9–10 Ahab’s Descendants Destroyed | 114 |
| 2 Kings 11–14 More Wicked Kings, Part 1 | 114 |
| 2 Kings 15–16 More Wicked Kings, Part 2 | 115 |
| 2 Kings 17 The Northern Kingdom (Ten Tribes) Taken Captive | 115 |
| 2 Kings 18–19 Righteous King Hezekiah | 116 |
| 2 Kings 20 More about Hezekiah | 117 |
| 2 Kings 21 Wicked King Manasseh | 117 |
| 2 Kings 22–23 The Power of the Word | 117 |
| 2 Kings 24–25 Judah Taken Captive by Babylon | 118 |
| The First and Second Books of the Chronicles | 118 |
| 1 Chronicles 22:5–19 Preparing to Build the Temple | 118 |
| 1 Chronicles 29:29 “The Acts of David the King” | 118 |
| 2 Chronicles 3:1 Solomon Begins to Build the Temple | 119 |
| 2 Chronicles 7:1–12 The Glory of the Lord | 119 |
| 2 Chronicles 11:13–17 The Levites Return | 119 |
| 2 Chronicles 15 Asa Obeys a Prophet’s Counsel | 119 |
| 2 Chronicles 20 Asa’s Son Jehoshaphat | 120 |
| 2 Chronicles 26:14–21 Uzziah Becomes a Leper | 120 |
| 2 Chronicles 29:1–11 “Be Not Now Negligent” | 120 |
| 2 Chronicles 36:11–16 Wickedness in Jerusalem | 120 |
| The Book of Ezra | 121 |
| Ezra 1 Cyrus Fulfills Prophecy | 122 |
| Ezra 2 Who Returned? | 122 |
| Ezra 3–6 The Building of the Temple | 122 |
| Ezra 7 Ezra—Teacher of the Law | 122 |
| Ezra 8 Journey to Jerusalem | 123 |
| Ezra 9–10 Marriages to Non-Israelite Wives | 123 |
| The Book of Nehemiah | 123 |
| Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah’s Prayer | 124 |
| Nehemiah 2 Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem | 124 |
| Nehemiah 3–4 The Builders Face Opposition | 125 |
| Nehemiah 5 Nehemiah: A Great Leader | 125 |
| Nehemiah 6 Nehemiah Finishes the Walls | 125 |
| Nehemiah 7 The Names of Those Who Returned | 125 |
| Nehemiah 8 Ezra Reads the Scriptures to the People | 126 |
| Nehemiah 9–10 The Power of the Word | 126 |
| Nehemiah 11–12 The Dedication of the Wall | 126 |
| Nehemiah 13 Nehemiah Continues to Preach Repentance | 127 |
| The Book of Esther | 127 |
| The Book of Job | 128 |
| Job 1 Job Loses Everything, Except | 129 |
| Job 2 More Trials for Job | 129 |
| Job 3 Why Was I Even Born? | 129 |
| Job 4–31 Job’s Friends Give Him Counsel | 130 |
| Job 32–37 A Fourth Friend | 130 |
| Job 38–39 The Lord Speaks | 130 |
| Job 40–42 Job Passes the Test | 131 |
| The Book of Psalms | 131 |
| Psalm 22 A Psalm about Jesus Christ | 132 |
| Psalm 23 “The Lord Is My Shepherd” | 133 |
| Psalm 24 The Joy of the Lord’s Coming | 133 |
| Selected Verses from Psalms | 134 |
| The Proverbs | 134 |
| Proverbs An Overview | 134 |
| Ecclesiastes or, the Preacher | 135 |
| Ecclesiastes 1–2 “All Is Vanity” | 136 |
| Ecclesiastes 3 Make the Best of Life While You Can | 136 |
| Ecclesiastes 4–5 What Brings Happiness? | 136 |
| Ecclesiastes 6 All Is Still Vanity | 137 |
| Ecclesiastes 7–11 Finding Some Contentment in Life | 137 |
| Ecclesiastes 12 The Conclusion | 137 |
| The Song of Solomon | 138 |
| The Book of Isaiah | 138 |
| Isaiah 1 Isaiah Calls Israel to Repentance | 138 |
| Isaiah 2 Come to the Mountain of the Lord | 139 |
| Isaiah 3 Prophecies against the Proud | 140 |
| Isaiah 4 Blessings for the Humble | 140 |
| Isaiah 5 The Sins of Israel | 140 |
| Isaiah 6 Isaiah Sees the Lord | 141 |
| Isaiah 7–8 Trust the Lord | 141 |
| Isaiah 9 A Prophecy about the Coming of the Messiah | 141 |
| Isaiah 10 The Destroyers Shall Be Destroyed | 142 |
| Isaiah 11 Events in the Future | 142 |
| Isaiah 12 Praise the Lord | 142 |
| Isaiah 13–14 Babylon and Lucifer | 143 |
| Isaiah 15–23 Prophecies against Nations That Do Not Serve the Lord | 143 |
| Isaiah 24 A Wicked World Destroyed | 144 |
| Isaiah 25 Isaiah Praises the Lord | 145 |
| Isaiah 26 Isaiah’s Song of Praise | 145 |
| Isaiah 27 The Lord and His Vineyard | 145 |
| Isaiah 28 Counsel for a Prideful People | 145 |
| Isaiah 29 A Marvelous Work and a Wonder | 145 |
| Isaiah 30–32 Trust in the Lord | 146 |
| Isaiah 33–34 The Second Coming of Jesus Christ | 147 |
| Isaiah 35 A Message of Hope | 147 |
| Isaiah 36–39 The Story of King Hezekiah | 147 |
| Isaiah 40 The Lord’s Power and Greatness | 147 |
| Isaiah 41–47 Redeemer of Israel | 148 |
| Isaiah 48 An Invitation to Come Back | 149 |
| Isaiah 49 A Message to Scattered Israel | 150 |
| Isaiah 50 Return to the Lord | 150 |
| Isaiah 51–52 Awake! And Come unto Him | 151 |
| Isaiah 53 Jesus Christ’s Suffering Foretold | 151 |
| Isaiah 54 The Kind Husband | 152 |
| Isaiah 55 An Invitation from the Lord | 152 |
| Isaiah 56 The Lord Saves All Nations | 152 |
| Isaiah 57 The Lord Has Power to Heal | 152 |
| Isaiah 58 Fasting and the Sabbath | 153 |
| Isaiah 59 Sins and Consequences | 153 |
| Isaiah 60 Let Your Light Shine | 153 |
| Isaiah 61 The Mission of the Lord and His Servants | 154 |
| Isaiah 62 The Redemption of the House of Israel | 154 |
| Isaiah 63 The Second Coming of Jesus Christ | 154 |