46 Identifying Truths from God in the Scriptures

46 Identifying Truths from God in the Scriptures

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-seminary-manual-2026/15-exodus-14-18/152-exodus-15-17?lang=eng

How does God give us physical experiences to teach us spiritual lessons?

The Israelites needed water in the wilderness.

They also needed help in battles.

How does that apply to us all spiritually? How can we liken the lessons we read about to our own current situations? We need to learn to look for truth from God in our scripture study, and rely on the Spirit so that we can learn how to apply those truths in our lives.

Invite the students to share something they have experienced in their own reading.

“I like the account of ___________________ because it teaches me that __________________.”

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the source of all gospel truths. And we can recognize and come to a knowledge of truth through the power of the Holy Ghost.

What’s the difference between liking a scripture account and finding relevant truths from God in that account? I think often that difference is found in pondering, and even it asking, “How does this apply to me?”

At a zone conference a few years back, a missionary asked Elder Klebingat what pondering means. He said this, “I suppose that it means making connections with things that you are learning and the things that you already know.”

Journal activity:

  • Is your personal scripture study helping you grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Why or why not?
  • How often do you pause during your scripture study to identify truths that you feel Heavenly Father wants you to focus on?
  • Do you seek to understand how scripture accounts apply to your life?

Three groups:

1.       Exodus 15:22–25
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23 ¶ And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.


Alma 36:18–21
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.


Guide to the scriptures, Living Water, Gospel Library,:
See also Jesus Christ

A symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings (living water) are essential for eternal life.

With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation, Isa. 12:3.

They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, Jer. 2:13.

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, John 4:6–15.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink, John 7:37.

The rod of iron led to the fountain of living waters, 1 Ne. 11:25.

Partake of the waters of life freely, D&C 10:66.

My commandments shall be a well of living water, D&C 63:23.

2.       Exodus 17:1–6

And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rodwherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

 

Helaman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Guide to the Scriptures, Rock, Gospel Library
See also GospelJesus ChristRevelation

Figuratively, Jesus Christ and His gospel, which are a strong foundation and support (D&C 11:2433:12–13). Rock can also refer to revelation, by which God makes His gospel known to man (Matt. 16:15–18).

He is the rock, his work is perfect, Deut. 32:4.

The Lord is my rock; in him will I trust, 2 Sam. 22:2–3.

A stone was cut out without hands, Dan. 2:34–35.

It was founded upon a rock, Matt. 7:25 (3 Ne. 14:25).

Jesus Christ is the stone that was set at nought, Acts 4:10–11.

That rock was Christ, 1 Cor. 10:1–4 (Ex. 17:6).

He that is built upon the rock receiveth the truth, 2 Ne. 28:28.

The Jews will reject the stone [Christ] upon which they might build, Jacob 4:15–17.

It is upon the rock of our Redeemer that we must build our foundation, Hel. 5:12.

Whoso builds on Christ’s doctrines builds upon his rock and will not fall when the floods come, 3 Ne. 11:39–40 (Matt. 7:24–273 Ne. 18:12–13).

A wise man built his house upon a rock, 3 Ne. 14:24.

If ye are built upon my rock, earth and hell cannot prevail, D&C 6:34.

He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall, D&C 50:44.

I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, Moses 7:53.

 

 

3.       Exodus 17:8–13
¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 107:21–22
21 Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding officers growing out of, or appointed of or from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these two priesthoods.

22 Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.


Guide to the Scriptures, Sustaining Church Leaders, Gospel Library
See also Common Consent

To pledge support to those serving in general and local Church leadership positions.

Set Joshua before all the congregation, and give him a charge in their sight, Num. 27:18–19.

All the people shouted, and said, God save the king, 1 Sam. 10:24.

Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper, 2 Chr. 20:20.

Obey them that have the rule over you, Heb. 13:17.

Thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured, 1 Ne. 3:6.

They who received the prophets were spared, 3 Ne. 10:12–13.

Give heed unto the words of these twelve, 3 Ne. 12:1.

By mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same, D&C 1:38.

His word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, D&C 21:5.

He that receiveth my servants, receiveth me, D&C 84:35–38.

Whoso receiveth me, receiveth those whom I have sent, D&C 112:20.

If my people will not hearken to the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, D&C 124:45–46.

Prepare to share the following with your classmates: 1. The storyline of your account 2. Truths you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and any additional truths you might have identified 3. Situations when the truths you identified would be import

Show video: “Identifying Doctrines and Principles: Students’ Testimonies

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