When studying the Old Testament, said A. Roger Merrill, general president of the Sunday School, the value comes in emphasizing the testament aspects of this ancient scripture without becoming entangled with the ancient customs.

Photo by Shaun D. Stahle

A. Roger Merrill, Sunday School general president, right, notes teachings in Old Testament with his counselors William D. Oswald, left, second counselor, and Daniel K. Judd, first counselor. Old Testament is this year's course of gospel doctrine study.

"Too often," he said, "we place the emphasis on the 'old.' It is a testament of the Savior and His work as Creator and Redeemer. It's easy to get caught up in the differences of time and place."

Now that members of the Church have completed their Sunday School course of study of the Doctrine and Covenants, Brother Merrill encourages them to look to the new course of study and consider its purpose as outlined on the opening page of the teacher's manual:

"The Old Testament is an account of God's dealings with His covenant people from the time of the Creation to a few hundred years before the Savior's birth. The Old Testament provides powerful examples of faith and obedience. It also shows the consequences of forgetting, disobeying, or opposing God. Its prophecies bear witness of the Messiah's birth, redeeming sacrifice, second coming and millennial reign."

This applies to members of the Church because, "We are also children of the covenant," said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve in an April 1995 general conference report. "We have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are our ancestors. We are of Israel. We have the right to receive the gospel, blessings of the priesthood, and eternal life. Nations of the earth will be blessed by our efforts and by the labors of our posterity. The literal seed of Abraham and those who are gathered into his family by adoption receive these promised blessings — predicated upon acceptance of the Lord and obedience to His commandments."

Applying Elder Nelson's counsel, Brother Merrill said, "As we study the Old Testament in Sunday School, we should constantly ask: 'How does this principle or experience relate to the life and mission and atonement of the Savior.' "

Questions invite revelation, he pointed out. "If the teacher and the student will constantly focus on understanding the gospel that is being taught, they will find the Old Testament to be rich and deep."

As lessons are prepared, encouraged Daniel K. Judd, first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, "the guideline to us is to prepare to teach doctrine in light of the Restoration. Use the Restoration to shed light on Old Testament teachings."

An obvious example, he continued, is the life and mission of Elijah. Those who have only the Bible, believe the work of Elijah ended with his ascension into heaven.

But in light of his visit with the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, it becomes apparent that his powerful work continues on both sides of the veil and is tied to this dispensation, Brother Judd said.

"Teach the Old Testament in light of the Restoration," he urged.

William D. Oswald, second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, shared how his feelings for the Old Testament intensified while serving with his wife, Mavis, as a missionary couple in the Palmyra visitors center during the pageant this past summer.

Serving with other couples he knew from his time as mission president in Russia, he spoke of the mentoring Joseph Smith received from the Angel Moroni while living in Palmyra. He recounted how the angel quoted 31 scriptures to teach and train the young prophet in his new assignment. According to Oliver Cowdery, continued Brother Oswald, 30 of the scriptures came from the Old Testament.

"Teachers need to know the scriptures as well as Moroni," he said. Moroni could have paraphrased, but he didn't, Brother Oswald noted. Teachers and students should read together in class.

To assist teachers in their preparation and understanding, the Sunday School general presidency has provided support materials available on the Church Web site at: lds.org.

Many resources are available, said Brother Merrill, including lessons and instruction from experiences in the Old Testament to teach and guide Church leaders in their assignments.

Such lessons include counsel on delegation, magnifying a calling and obedience, as well as other lessons on cultivating divine attributes.

Brother Judd recounted the experience of President Spencer W. Kimball who said that if he could read the Old Testament by oil lamp as a 14-year-old boy, others could read it by electric light.

E-mail to: shaun@desnews.com