President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “The Father introduced His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer and gave us the command to ‘hear Him.’ From this direction we conclude that the scriptural records of words spoken by ‘God’ or the ‘Lord’ are almost always the words of Jehovah, our risen Lord, Jesus Christ” (“The Teachings of Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 102).

When the leaders of the Jews challenged Jesus about His identity, He declared, “Before Abraham was, I am.” These words shocked the people who heard Jesus, and they were ready to stone Him (see John 8:58–59). Consider reading Exodus 3:13–15; 6:3–5 to see why some Jews were so upset at what Jesus said.

Why is it significant to you to know that Jesus Christ is Jehovah?

In a vision, the Lord showed Nephi the coming forth of the Bible, explaining that “many plain and precious things” would be taken from it. Consider reading 1 Nephi 13:21–29, 38–42, looking for how the Lord planned to “make known the plain and precious things.” According to 2 Nephi 3:12, how do the Bible and Book of Mormon work together?

As you study the Old Testament this year, you will also study some of the “other books” Nephi foresaw. These include:

• The book of Moses, part of Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible. It restores truths and accounts not found in the current text of Genesis 1–6.

• The book of Abraham, which was revealed to Joseph Smith as he examined ancient Egyptian papyri (see Topics and Questions, “Book of Abraham,” Gospel Library).

• Various passages from the Joseph Smith Translation, some of which appear in the footnotes, the appendix of the Bible, and the Guide to the Scriptures.

Here are some examples of Old Testament accounts restored through Joseph Smith: Enoch’s city of Zion (Moses 7:18–19), Abraham’s vision of the council in heaven (Abraham 3:22–28), and the ministry of Melchizedek (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40). Why are these accounts “plain and precious” to you?

The Old Testament is the story of God seeking to make us His “peculiar treasure” by covenant (Exodus 19:5). For that reason, a good way to prepare to read the Old Testament is to learn about covenants—specifically the everlasting covenant God offered to ancient prophets like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their posterity. And a great way to learn about covenants is to study President Russell M. Nelson’s message “The Everlasting Covenant” (Liahona, October 2022, 4–11).

As you read, ask yourself: Why are covenants important to me? What “special kind of love and mercy” do I receive from God as I keep my covenants with Him? As you read the Old Testament this year, be watching for things God wants to teach you about your covenant relationship with Him.

See also Jeremiah 31:31–34.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Covenants are a major theme in the Old Testament. To introduce this theme to your children, you could talk with them about promises they make and keep with family or friends and why keeping these promises is important. You could then look at a picture of a baptism and talk about the promise, or covenant, we make with God when we are baptized (see Mosiah 18:10, 13). You could also show a picture of the temple and share your feelings about the covenants we make there.

• This week’s activity page could help your children be excited to make and keep covenants with Heavenly Father. You could also sing a song about making covenants, like “When I Am Baptized” (Children’s Songbook, 103).

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN