Religion 301, The Old Testament ​
(Genesis to 2 Samuel) A Primary Course Damon L. Johnson
[email protected] 714.794.2765 President Marion G. Romney taught, “the message of the Old Testament is the message of Christ and His coming and His atonement.” (CES Symposium on the Old Testament, Aug 17, 1979) The Objective of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion ​
­ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter­day Saints OUR PURPOSE is to help youth and young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven. This course will help you to find teachings and prophecies of Jesus Christ on every page of the Old Testament, and will help you have your testimonies of Him strengthened. Your understanding of, and ability to rely on Christ’s teachings and atonement will be magnified. Course Texts 1.
2.
The Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter­day Saints Various prophetic readings found online at lds.org, see Course Reading Schedule. How to Complete this Course* 1.
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At least 75% Attendance Complete the reading assignments Complete “Elevate Learning Experience” (ELE), see below. *​
Receive credit towards Institute Graduation and/or transferable to BYU schools. Self­Assessment Grading Grades (A, B, or C) are determined by a ​
self­assessment​
on your own level of active engagement with the course completion requirements. Using the “active role” criteria below, simply ask yourself: ​
to what extent have I played an active role in my spiritual learning during this course​
? Or, in other words, ​
to what extent have I personally engaged with the class discussions, course readings, and Elevate Learning Experience ​
that I have participated in? A = ​
significant​
personal engagement with the class discussion, readings, and ELE. B = ​
some ​
personal engagement with the class discussion, readings, and ELE. C = ​
little​
personal engagement with the class discussion, readings, and ELE. When you turn in your ELE at the end of the course, include your self­assessment grade (A, B, or C) and a brief explanation as to WHY you gave yourself that grade. An Active Role in Spiritual Learning Teachers and students play an active role in their spiritual learning when they: ●
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Develop a habit of daily scripture study. Prepare their hearts and minds for the influence of the Spirit. Discover and express doctrines and principles that are relevant to their personal lives. Deepen understanding of the scriptures through diligent study, meditation, and prayer. Ask questions and seek for answers that help them better understand the gospel and how it applies to their lives. Share insights, experiences, and feelings. Explain gospel doctrines and principles to others and testify of their truthfulness. Develop scripture study skills, such as marking, cross­referencing, and using the scripture study aids. Institute Graduation By actively participating in and graduating from institute, young adults will strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ, increase their scripture study skills, learn from others and through the Spirit, and be better prepared for their futures. In a July 2015 letter to priesthood leaders, the Church announced that “young adults are invited and encouraged to make graduating from Institute of Religion a priority, similar to the current expectation that exists with seminary.” Graduation is now a central part of the institute experience and is seen as a second part of the foundation that students started building with seminary. After graduation from institute, students are still welcome to attend as institute meets their needs. To graduate from institute you must complete 14 credits of religion classes, which must include 8 credits of Cornerstone classes. Institute diplomas and Course Completion Certificates are awarded each year at the Institute Recognition Night. “Elevate Learning Experience” (ELE) Outline​
: This Elevate Learning Experience (ELE) consists of a set of essay questions that are an important companion to your class participation and study of the assigned readings. Working on the responses to these questions throughout the course will help you to deepen your understanding and application of the gospel as you reflect on and share what you have learned. Complete the following steps for each question: 1. Write ​
an organized response for each question using your own words. Support your answers with the scriptures and the words of the prophets. Be sure your responses are appropriate to share. 2. Review ​
your responses by bringing them to class on the dates indicated in the schedule. 3. Revise ​
your responses based on the review, as needed. 4. Submit ​
your final responses for all questions by the final class. Your responses should be completed outside class unless directed otherwise. If you have a specific need, disability, or health­related condition, speak with Brother Johnson. The Elevate Learning Experience essay questions for this course are as follows ​
(Pick any 3 to respond to): 1. Why is the fall of Adam a blessing to mankind? Your response should include: * A description of the condition of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. * Why Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. * What makes mortality an important step in becoming like God? * Guiding principles that help me in making right choices in my life. 2. What truths and guidance did God give his prophets for each dispensation? a) The dispensation of Adam, b) The dispensation of Enoch, c) The dispensation of Noah, d) The dispensation of Abraham, e) The dispensation of Moses. Your response should include: * A statement of how the people of each of these dispensations were blessed and protected as they followed the prophet. * How I can make my life in this last dispensation become more meaningful as I sustain and obey the counsels of our living prophets. 3. How did the Law of Moses keep the House of Israel closer to Jesus Christ? Your response should include: * Why the Law of Moses considered a “preparatory gospel”. * How the Law of Moses able to bring the Israelites to God. * An example of symbolism in the Law of Moses that leads to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. * What blessings I receive as I experience living the Law of Moses in this modern time. 4. What are the temporal and spiritual blessings we receive by worshiping God on the Sabbath and keeping it holy? Your response should include: * The significance of the Sabbath day. * The promises made by God to those who keep the Sabbath day holy. * How our covenants are renewed when we worship the Lord on the Sabbath. * How I worship the Lord on the Sabbath and the appropriate activities I do to keep it holy. 5. What covenants do we make with God that will qualify us for exaltation? Your response should include: * How the House of Israel is blessed through the Abrahamic covenant. * What it means to be a member of the House of Israel. * How the covenant of temple marriage will lead to exaltation. * Why I need to keep myself worthy of the covenants I received as a member of the Church. 6. How can I avoid idolatry? Your response should include: * Examples of modern day idolatry that I must avoid. * Why idolatry will separate me from the Lord’s protection and blessings. * How I keep my devotion and reverence only to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Course Reading Schedule Week
Student Readings
of:
Sep Intro, Overview, and Moses 1 1st​
Sept
7th
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Sept
14th
Genesis 1­2; Moses 1­3 Genesis 3­5; Moses 4­7 Genesis 6­9; Moses 8 Genesis 11, 13­14; Abraham 1­2 Sept Genesis 15­19 21st​
Genesis 20­22 Genesis 24­30 Sept 28th
​ Elevate Learning Experience – Review, Revise, and Share Genesis 31­35, 37 Oct Genesis 39­45 5th
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Genesis 46­50 Oct Exodus 1­6 12th
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Exodus 7­13 Oct Exodus 14­19 19th
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Exodus 20, 22 Exodus 25­32 Oct
26th
​ Elevate Learning Experience – Review, Revise, and Share Exodus 33­35, 40 Nov
2nd
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Leviticus 1, 4, 8, 11 Leviticus 16, 19, 20, 26 Numbers 2, 6, 11­14, 16 Nov
Numbers 20­24, 27, 31, 32 9th
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Deuteronomy 6­8, 14, 15 Deuteronomy 20, 26, 28, 30, 34 Nov 16th
​ Elevate Learning Experience – Review, Revise, and Share Joshua 1­4, 6, 7, 23, 24 Nov Judges 1­4, 6­8 23rd
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Nov Thanksgiving 30th
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Judges 13­16 Dec Ruth 1­4 7th
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1 Samuel 1­4, 8­11 1 Samuel 13, 15­18, 24, 25 Dec 2 Samuel 5, 6, 11, 12 14th
​ ALL 3 FINAL ELEVATE LEARNING EXPERIENCE RESPONSES ARE DUE