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From Creation to Sinai: The Old Testament Through the Lens of the Restoration
For some, the Old Testament is a difficult volume to read, much less understand. The language, symbolism, and history depicted within it can be challenging and at times frustrating. Modern biblical research and the methodologies used in that research have opened up this book of scripture to greater understanding. So too has the restoration of the priesthood and continuing revelation, which have revealed that the Old Testament patriarchs are not simply literary examples of righteous behavior in the past but living beings who have engaged with the Saints in this dispensation. This volume incorporates both academic insights and restoration revelation, thus demonstrating the way in which both can be used to gain greater insight into these pivotal narratives.
620 pages, Hardcover
Published November 27, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 20, 2026
There are some helpful insights and explanations about stories and principles from the first half of the Old Testament here. These were some of my favorite quotes:
"Admittedly, the Old Testament is a difficult volume to read, much less understand (p. viii)."
"The Creation narratives of Genesis 1-3 are arguably the most well-known Old Testament narratives. They make up the first six pages of the Bible, and they describe God bringing everything into existence (p. 2)."
"This act of naming may be understood as much a part of the creation process as the physical separation, because defining and naming provides order and meaning, assigning purpose in individualizing each aspect from the others (p. 6)."
"The Creation narrative describes not just the material organization but the establishment of their function as well (p. 8)."
"Humans will thus constitute the main purpose behind God's creations (p. 9)."
"God gave humanity heavy responsibilities similar to his own and, having done so, he then declares that the Creation to this point was 'very good' (p. 12)."
"There is not so much a cessation of work as there is a change in the type of work or purpose of the work as God now blesses and sanctifies acts that not only apply to the specific time of the Sabbath... It could be understood that the Creation was not truly complete until it had been sanctified, a process similar to that of a temple dedication (p. 13)."
"The establishment of the Sabbath was not a period of inactivity but a period of sanctifying, completing events that made it possible for the next stage of the cosmos to begin (p. 16)."
"The requirement of both God and mortal action to bring forth this aspect of creation marks a new stage of the creation (p. 19)."
"The conditional nature of the instruction gives Adam knowledge that allows his choice to have efficacy (p. 22)."
"Not only is the institution of marriage created in the garden, but the highest form of social communion, a Zion society, was also present via the institution of marriage (p. 26)."
"Adam and Eve's lack of awareness concerning their nakedness may serve as the indicator that these binaries have not been enacted and that therefore the cosmos is not yet fully complete (p. 28)."
"While Adam and Eve are now socially aware and responsible, the consequences outlined by God earlier must still be met (p. 33)."
"The law of Moses emphasized again and again the expectation that Israel have empathy for the marginalized and less fortunate (p. 34)."
"Grief was an essential component of Christ's ability to succor humankind (p. 35)."
"The final event before their expulsion is the investiture of Adam and Eve in clothing made by God... the clothing represented God's definition as to where they stood in his esteem while his actual investing them in the clothing suggested that they were indeed worthy to be a part of the divine community, even if they were to be physically separated for a time (p. 37)."
"The creation process was understood as continuing still through the presence of Israel as God's chosen people (p. 38)."
"The story of Cain and Abel is one of the most famous in our biblical repertoire, rousing us to a sense of our social responsibility with the immortal line 'Am I my brother's keeper?' (p. 44)"
"Why does God favor the younger son over the elder? Where does Cain's murderous impulse come from? (p. 46)"
"'Children are an heritage of the Lord' (p. 47)."
"Cain's response, to answer the Great Jehovah so insolently and at the same time renounce any sense of family connectedness, is not only dishonest but disrespectful (p. 50)."
"Canin's act of shedding his brother's blood influenced several future dispensations (p. 52)."
"'I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers' (Joseph Smith, p. 57)."
"The practice of offering animal sacrifices to the Lord was first revealed to Adam and Eve before Cain and Abel participated in this important ordinance (p. 58)."
"Satan came among them trying to persuade them to renounce their faith (p. 58)."
"The antagonist is clearly Satan; he desires to have Cain as a follower (p. 65)."
"Cain and Abel represent in several ways the story of Jesus Christ and Lucifer (p. 68)."
"Abel provides a thought-provoking model of the way mortality sometimes treats the righteous (p. 72)."
"The phrase 'walk with God' shows up in additional Old Testament passages in relation to other prophetic figures (p. 74)."
"Walking with God seems to denote not only obedience but also a close relationship with God that may have included walking (literally) in God's presence, such as what Adam and Eve did and seemed to enjoy in the Garden of Eden before their expulsion (p. 75)."
"Without faith it is impossible to please God (p. 79)."
"I have given wisdom to you and to your children, and to those who will be your children, that they may give it to their children for all the generations forever (p. 87)."
"2 Enoch's form is both an apocalypse (heavenly journey) and a testament (last instruction) since Enoch shares with his children on earth his newfound heavenly knowledge from God and angels, including the secrets of creation (p. 91)."
"Enoch is said to have been the first patriarch who learned writing and wisdom among the sons of men (p. 96)."
"Enoch sees all the nations of the earth and eventually Zion being taken up into heaven (p. 103)."
"Enoch and all his people walked with God as he dwelt in the midst of Zion until Zion was received into God's own bosom (p. 106)."
"The early Christian fathers and apologists treated some Enoch texts, particularly 1 Enoch, as a canonical text (p. 110)."
"Restoration scripture and prophetic commentary inform us that the rainbow became a token of the same covenant that can be traced back to Adam through Enoch and from Noah to the present (p. 121)."
"It is hard to overlook the efforts that were taken (by God through Noah) to help the people repent and avoid the destruction of the flood (p. 131)."
"God is heartbroken over his children (p. 131)."
"The covenants made between God and Noah and his family will play a major role (p. 135)."
"'He destroyed them for their benefit, if you can comprehend it' (p. 137)."
"The relationship between the flood narrative and the continuity of the priesthood is strengthened further by JST Genesis 6:18, 'But with thee will I establish my covenant, even as I have sworn unto thy father, Enoch, that of thy posterity shall come all nations' (p. 143)."
"The bow represents a reconciliation between God and his children's unrighteous state and establishes an environment of restitution before him (p. 147)."
"The rainbow has become a token of the covenant between God and Noah, God's creations, and power and salvation at the hand of God in the form of both destruction and deliverance (p. 148)."
"'And this is mine everlasting covenant, that when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward, then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness and the earth shall tremble with joy' (p. 149)."
"'The Lord hath redeemed his people; And Satan is bound and time is no longer (p. 151)."
"The covenant revolves around salvation being made possible to the living and the dead (p. 156)."
"Knowing about the trials and lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may provide us instruction and guidance in our modern world (p. 164)."
"Because the patriarchs and matriarchs did not live in large established cities, these families were likely able to largely avoid substantial contact with the Egyptians in Canaan (p. 203)."
"The story of Joseph accepting all kinds of payments, including land, from the Egyptians in exchange for grain may very well be an account of how the Hyksos came to power (p. 210)."
"We cannot know with any degree of certainty when the story of Moses would have taken place (p. 213)."
"The Egyptians controlled little of the area between Megiddo and Jerusalem, making this an area that would have been very attractive for early Israelite settlement (p. 218)."
"It seems that the first part of Israelite history is marked by interaction with Egypt interspersed with careful avoidance (p. 221)."
"Central to one's understanding of Israel, in any dispensation, will be that of covenant and covenant making (p. 223)."
"Understanding the way that the theme of covenant runs through the Hebrew Bible not only unlocks an understanding of God's relationship with humankind in ancient times but also provides the key for understanding that relationship through the New Testament and into the last days (p. 224)."
"Identification of God as the establisher of the covenant and identification of the recipient of the covenant (p. 226)."
"Ritual or ceremonial enactment: Covenant oaths or pledges... signs (p. 227)."
"Stipulations... Consequences: blessings and punishments... Witnesses (p. 228)."
"Provisions for the maintenance of the covenant terms (p. 230)."
"This Noahic covenant was universal (p. 232)."
"The Noahic covenant as a renewal of an earlier covenant with Adam and Eve and others (p. 233)."
"God promises a covenantal relationship with Abraham (p. 236)."
"'Being born again comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances' (p. 237)."
"The ritual behavior of sacrifice, offering one's own possessions up to the Lord as a sign or symbol of loyalty, was already demonstrated in connection with Noah's covenant (p. 239)."
"If the Noahic covenant served as a foundation for biblical covenant-making in the Old Testament, and if the if the Abrahamic covenant was the covenant that would continue and provide the identity for the patriarchs, matriarchs, and the house of Israel, then the Mosaic covenant was the covenant relationship that spanned the vast majority of the Hebrew Bible, from Exodus 20 to the end of Malachi (p. 242)."
"Covenants had their power through Christ (p. 244)."
"Although the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and other covenants do demonstrate unique features, based on God's purposes and the needs of the time, they also interconnect with and build upon each other (p. 249)."
"The heart of Abraham's story really begins when the Lord tells Abraham to get up and leave his land (p. 283)."
"Abraham is required to interact and relate with others to bless them (p. 284)."
"The Abrahamic covenant is not possible without Sarah (p. 285)."
"Some of the more difficult stories in Genesis relate to Abraham's interactions with his wives (p. 295)."
"Hagar's descendants are part and parcel with the promises of what we call the Abrahamic covenant (p. 298)."
"Abraham's willingness to stand between the Lord and the people of Sodom is what is known as 'prophetic intercession' (p. 303)."
"The Abrahamic covenant is about relationships, both with each other and the Lord, and in this life, sometimes the relationships are tested (p. 309)."
"While it is true that we should not wish for the text to say what we want it to say--and ignore it when it doesn't--it is also possible that the text can be misinterpreted, leading to methodological problems where we base assumptions and interpretations on faulty promises (p. 351)."
"'Reading the Bible should not be an easy enterprise (p. 352)."
"Esau willingly gave up the birthright because he despised it (p. 359)."
"Perhaps God is tenderly promising Jacob to help bring him the promises of the covenant now that things have become difficult (p. 378)."
"Beginning with Abraham, patriarchs were called of God to preside over extended families, administer priesthood ordinances, and perpetuate God's covenant (p. 386)."
"The fact that she recognized God's multifaceted revelation also suggests that communication with God was not a novelty for Rebekah (p. 400)."
"Rebekah was unflinching in her desire to ensure that the divinely chosen son would receive the birthright (p. 405)."
"Leah and Rachel's individual responses to God in the midst of their unexpected trials helped to shape the foundation of God's covenant people (p. 411)."
"The darkening of the sun may be the most direct attack against Pharaoh's ability to fulfill his royal duties in the face of Jehovah's power (p. 459)."
"As the Israelites gathered at Sinai to make a covenant with God, they were in essence acknowledging him as their king and were accepting the terms of being his people. The covenant was more meaningful and powerful as they recognized the full power of their sovereign (p. 481)."
"The Covenant Code closes with an enumeration of blessings (p. 539)."
"The Holiness Code provided further instruction that enabled that 'at one ment' (p. 540)."
"Yahweh sought not only an ethically pure but also a ritually pure, ultimately sanctified people (p. 541)."
"The Israelites, as a covenant people, have always been composed of families (p. 546)."
"Like the Covenant Code, the Holiness Code mandates a land Sabbath, or rest for the land (p. 548)."
"Admittedly, the Old Testament is a difficult volume to read, much less understand (p. viii)."
"The Creation narratives of Genesis 1-3 are arguably the most well-known Old Testament narratives. They make up the first six pages of the Bible, and they describe God bringing everything into existence (p. 2)."
"This act of naming may be understood as much a part of the creation process as the physical separation, because defining and naming provides order and meaning, assigning purpose in individualizing each aspect from the others (p. 6)."
"The Creation narrative describes not just the material organization but the establishment of their function as well (p. 8)."
"Humans will thus constitute the main purpose behind God's creations (p. 9)."
"God gave humanity heavy responsibilities similar to his own and, having done so, he then declares that the Creation to this point was 'very good' (p. 12)."
"There is not so much a cessation of work as there is a change in the type of work or purpose of the work as God now blesses and sanctifies acts that not only apply to the specific time of the Sabbath... It could be understood that the Creation was not truly complete until it had been sanctified, a process similar to that of a temple dedication (p. 13)."
"The establishment of the Sabbath was not a period of inactivity but a period of sanctifying, completing events that made it possible for the next stage of the cosmos to begin (p. 16)."
"The requirement of both God and mortal action to bring forth this aspect of creation marks a new stage of the creation (p. 19)."
"The conditional nature of the instruction gives Adam knowledge that allows his choice to have efficacy (p. 22)."
"Not only is the institution of marriage created in the garden, but the highest form of social communion, a Zion society, was also present via the institution of marriage (p. 26)."
"Adam and Eve's lack of awareness concerning their nakedness may serve as the indicator that these binaries have not been enacted and that therefore the cosmos is not yet fully complete (p. 28)."
"While Adam and Eve are now socially aware and responsible, the consequences outlined by God earlier must still be met (p. 33)."
"The law of Moses emphasized again and again the expectation that Israel have empathy for the marginalized and less fortunate (p. 34)."
"Grief was an essential component of Christ's ability to succor humankind (p. 35)."
"The final event before their expulsion is the investiture of Adam and Eve in clothing made by God... the clothing represented God's definition as to where they stood in his esteem while his actual investing them in the clothing suggested that they were indeed worthy to be a part of the divine community, even if they were to be physically separated for a time (p. 37)."
"The creation process was understood as continuing still through the presence of Israel as God's chosen people (p. 38)."
"The story of Cain and Abel is one of the most famous in our biblical repertoire, rousing us to a sense of our social responsibility with the immortal line 'Am I my brother's keeper?' (p. 44)"
"Why does God favor the younger son over the elder? Where does Cain's murderous impulse come from? (p. 46)"
"'Children are an heritage of the Lord' (p. 47)."
"Cain's response, to answer the Great Jehovah so insolently and at the same time renounce any sense of family connectedness, is not only dishonest but disrespectful (p. 50)."
"Canin's act of shedding his brother's blood influenced several future dispensations (p. 52)."
"'I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers' (Joseph Smith, p. 57)."
"The practice of offering animal sacrifices to the Lord was first revealed to Adam and Eve before Cain and Abel participated in this important ordinance (p. 58)."
"Satan came among them trying to persuade them to renounce their faith (p. 58)."
"The antagonist is clearly Satan; he desires to have Cain as a follower (p. 65)."
"Cain and Abel represent in several ways the story of Jesus Christ and Lucifer (p. 68)."
"Abel provides a thought-provoking model of the way mortality sometimes treats the righteous (p. 72)."
"The phrase 'walk with God' shows up in additional Old Testament passages in relation to other prophetic figures (p. 74)."
"Walking with God seems to denote not only obedience but also a close relationship with God that may have included walking (literally) in God's presence, such as what Adam and Eve did and seemed to enjoy in the Garden of Eden before their expulsion (p. 75)."
"Without faith it is impossible to please God (p. 79)."
"I have given wisdom to you and to your children, and to those who will be your children, that they may give it to their children for all the generations forever (p. 87)."
"2 Enoch's form is both an apocalypse (heavenly journey) and a testament (last instruction) since Enoch shares with his children on earth his newfound heavenly knowledge from God and angels, including the secrets of creation (p. 91)."
"Enoch is said to have been the first patriarch who learned writing and wisdom among the sons of men (p. 96)."
"Enoch sees all the nations of the earth and eventually Zion being taken up into heaven (p. 103)."
"Enoch and all his people walked with God as he dwelt in the midst of Zion until Zion was received into God's own bosom (p. 106)."
"The early Christian fathers and apologists treated some Enoch texts, particularly 1 Enoch, as a canonical text (p. 110)."
"Restoration scripture and prophetic commentary inform us that the rainbow became a token of the same covenant that can be traced back to Adam through Enoch and from Noah to the present (p. 121)."
"It is hard to overlook the efforts that were taken (by God through Noah) to help the people repent and avoid the destruction of the flood (p. 131)."
"God is heartbroken over his children (p. 131)."
"The covenants made between God and Noah and his family will play a major role (p. 135)."
"'He destroyed them for their benefit, if you can comprehend it' (p. 137)."
"The relationship between the flood narrative and the continuity of the priesthood is strengthened further by JST Genesis 6:18, 'But with thee will I establish my covenant, even as I have sworn unto thy father, Enoch, that of thy posterity shall come all nations' (p. 143)."
"The bow represents a reconciliation between God and his children's unrighteous state and establishes an environment of restitution before him (p. 147)."
"The rainbow has become a token of the covenant between God and Noah, God's creations, and power and salvation at the hand of God in the form of both destruction and deliverance (p. 148)."
"'And this is mine everlasting covenant, that when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward, then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness and the earth shall tremble with joy' (p. 149)."
"'The Lord hath redeemed his people; And Satan is bound and time is no longer (p. 151)."
"The covenant revolves around salvation being made possible to the living and the dead (p. 156)."
"Knowing about the trials and lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may provide us instruction and guidance in our modern world (p. 164)."
"Because the patriarchs and matriarchs did not live in large established cities, these families were likely able to largely avoid substantial contact with the Egyptians in Canaan (p. 203)."
"The story of Joseph accepting all kinds of payments, including land, from the Egyptians in exchange for grain may very well be an account of how the Hyksos came to power (p. 210)."
"We cannot know with any degree of certainty when the story of Moses would have taken place (p. 213)."
"The Egyptians controlled little of the area between Megiddo and Jerusalem, making this an area that would have been very attractive for early Israelite settlement (p. 218)."
"It seems that the first part of Israelite history is marked by interaction with Egypt interspersed with careful avoidance (p. 221)."
"Central to one's understanding of Israel, in any dispensation, will be that of covenant and covenant making (p. 223)."
"Understanding the way that the theme of covenant runs through the Hebrew Bible not only unlocks an understanding of God's relationship with humankind in ancient times but also provides the key for understanding that relationship through the New Testament and into the last days (p. 224)."
"Identification of God as the establisher of the covenant and identification of the recipient of the covenant (p. 226)."
"Ritual or ceremonial enactment: Covenant oaths or pledges... signs (p. 227)."
"Stipulations... Consequences: blessings and punishments... Witnesses (p. 228)."
"Provisions for the maintenance of the covenant terms (p. 230)."
"This Noahic covenant was universal (p. 232)."
"The Noahic covenant as a renewal of an earlier covenant with Adam and Eve and others (p. 233)."
"God promises a covenantal relationship with Abraham (p. 236)."
"'Being born again comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances' (p. 237)."
"The ritual behavior of sacrifice, offering one's own possessions up to the Lord as a sign or symbol of loyalty, was already demonstrated in connection with Noah's covenant (p. 239)."
"If the Noahic covenant served as a foundation for biblical covenant-making in the Old Testament, and if the if the Abrahamic covenant was the covenant that would continue and provide the identity for the patriarchs, matriarchs, and the house of Israel, then the Mosaic covenant was the covenant relationship that spanned the vast majority of the Hebrew Bible, from Exodus 20 to the end of Malachi (p. 242)."
"Covenants had their power through Christ (p. 244)."
"Although the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and other covenants do demonstrate unique features, based on God's purposes and the needs of the time, they also interconnect with and build upon each other (p. 249)."
"The heart of Abraham's story really begins when the Lord tells Abraham to get up and leave his land (p. 283)."
"Abraham is required to interact and relate with others to bless them (p. 284)."
"The Abrahamic covenant is not possible without Sarah (p. 285)."
"Some of the more difficult stories in Genesis relate to Abraham's interactions with his wives (p. 295)."
"Hagar's descendants are part and parcel with the promises of what we call the Abrahamic covenant (p. 298)."
"Abraham's willingness to stand between the Lord and the people of Sodom is what is known as 'prophetic intercession' (p. 303)."
"The Abrahamic covenant is about relationships, both with each other and the Lord, and in this life, sometimes the relationships are tested (p. 309)."
"While it is true that we should not wish for the text to say what we want it to say--and ignore it when it doesn't--it is also possible that the text can be misinterpreted, leading to methodological problems where we base assumptions and interpretations on faulty promises (p. 351)."
"'Reading the Bible should not be an easy enterprise (p. 352)."
"Esau willingly gave up the birthright because he despised it (p. 359)."
"Perhaps God is tenderly promising Jacob to help bring him the promises of the covenant now that things have become difficult (p. 378)."
"Beginning with Abraham, patriarchs were called of God to preside over extended families, administer priesthood ordinances, and perpetuate God's covenant (p. 386)."
"The fact that she recognized God's multifaceted revelation also suggests that communication with God was not a novelty for Rebekah (p. 400)."
"Rebekah was unflinching in her desire to ensure that the divinely chosen son would receive the birthright (p. 405)."
"Leah and Rachel's individual responses to God in the midst of their unexpected trials helped to shape the foundation of God's covenant people (p. 411)."
"The darkening of the sun may be the most direct attack against Pharaoh's ability to fulfill his royal duties in the face of Jehovah's power (p. 459)."
"As the Israelites gathered at Sinai to make a covenant with God, they were in essence acknowledging him as their king and were accepting the terms of being his people. The covenant was more meaningful and powerful as they recognized the full power of their sovereign (p. 481)."
"The Covenant Code closes with an enumeration of blessings (p. 539)."
"The Holiness Code provided further instruction that enabled that 'at one ment' (p. 540)."
"Yahweh sought not only an ethically pure but also a ritually pure, ultimately sanctified people (p. 541)."
"The Israelites, as a covenant people, have always been composed of families (p. 546)."
"Like the Covenant Code, the Holiness Code mandates a land Sabbath, or rest for the land (p. 548)."
May 24, 2022
Finished at last! A lot of very good stuff in here; different contributors so somewhat different among the articles--I enjoyed some more than others. But definitely learned a lot and helped me in my study this year.
April 5, 2022
interesting and insightful
May 17, 2022
This is a collection of scholarly articles written by members of the church who specialize in Old Testament research. As such, it is definitely heavy reading that takes focus, and took me time to get through (I couldn't read it if I wasn't paying lots of attention). But I did enjoy it and it helped me understand a lot of OT themes in depth. And if you skip the lengthy footnotes it goes faster too.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews