NOvember 30-December 4, 1981

During this week one of the outstanding evenings was the Old Testament class on Wednesday evening.  Pres. Stephens lectured on the Ten Tribes.  That is one of the most enjoyable classes I have ever enjoyed.  He goes from one obscure text to another – picking out a verse here and there just form memory and builds a foundation for his lesson.  He also skips from Old Testament to New Testament to D & C to Book of Mormon to Pearl of Great Price.  He made the statement that if we do not understand the Old Testament, we cannot understand the gospel.  At one time I would have scoffed at the idea, but now I’m beginning to understand why he made the statement. It’s the whole basis upon which the gospel is built upon.  Without that as a foundation, we do not have very much to base our beliefs on.  Furthermore the wonderful characters who move through the pages of the Old Testament restored some of the fundamental keys to Joseph Smith when they gospel was restored.  I’m really convinced that a good understanding of the Old Testament is essential.

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