Most people find the Old Testament confusing, dusty, or even intimidating. But what if it’s actually the essential foundation for everything you believe about Jesus Christ? Today, we unlock the "Library of Books" that makes up the first half of our scripture and discover why it is the indispensable foundation of the covenant.

Summary: In this introductory lesson, we lay the groundwork for a year-long journey through the Old Testament. We move beyond seeing it as a singular book and begin to view it as a diverse library of 39 books.

Key themes include:

The Foundation of the Covenant: Understanding why the Old Testament is the root from which the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants grow.

Structure and Organization: A breakdown of the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh) and its three parts: the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

The Power of Translation: Exploring how the Bible moved from Hebrew to Greek to English, and why the Joseph Smith Translation is vital for our study.

Finding Christ in the Old Testament: Moving past the "dead letter" to see the "living spirit" of the Messiah on every page.

Call-to-Action: Which book of the Old Testament has always felt the most "sealed" to you? Let us know in the comments, and let’s commit to opening it together this year!

Why Bethlehem? | Pastor Michael Mattis

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