OLD TESTAMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS

This 99th and final Post is my way of making the articles in this Blog more accessible.

Scriptures and Old Testament Manuals.

LDS Bible.
LDS Triple Combination.
Gospel Doctrine Old Testament Teacher's Manual.
Old Testament Student Manual – Genesis to 2 Samuel.
Old Testament Student Manual – 1 Kings to Malachi.

Chiasms in the Books of the Old Testament.

Genesis.
  • In the Beginning.
    ⋅ The Creation of the Earth.
    ⋅ The Fall of Adam and Eve.
    ⋅ The Creation and the Fall—Chiasms.
    ⋅ The Story of Cain and Abel.
    ⋅ Noah and the Flood.
    ⋅ The Tower of Babel.
  • Abraham.
    ⋅ The Patriarchs.
    ⋅ Timeline from Abraham to Solomon.
    ⋅ Abraham in the Book of Genesis.
  • Jacob.
    ⋅ The Marriages of Isaac and Jacob.
    ⋅ Jacob in the Book of Genesis.
  • Joseph.
    ⋅ Joseph in the Book of Genesis I.
    ⋅ Joseph in the Book of Genesis II.
    ⋅ Joseph in the Book of Genesis III.
Exodus - Chiasms I, Chiasms II.
Leviticus - Chiasms.
Numbers - Chiasms I, Chiasms II.
Deuteronomy - Chiasms.
Joshua - Chiasms.
Judges - Chiasms.
Ruth - Chiasms.
1 Samuel - Chiasms I, Chiasms II, Chiasms III, Chiasms IV.
2 Samuel - Chiasms.
1 Kings - Chiasms.
2 Kings - Chiasms.
1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles - Chiasms.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles I.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles II.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles III.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles IV.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles V.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles VI.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles VII.
  • Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles VIII.
Ezra - Chiasms.
Nehemiah - Chiasms.
Esther - Chiasms.
Job - Chiasms.
Psalms - Chiasms 1-50, Chiasms 51-100, Chiasms 101-150.
Proverbs - Chiasms.
Ecclesiastes - Chiasms.
Song of Solomon - Chiasms.
Isaiah - Chiasms.
  • Isaiah in the Book of Mormon.
  • Isaiah Chiasms in the Book of Mormon.
  • Chiasms in the Book of Mormon I.
  • Chiasms in the Book of Mormon II.
  • Chiasms in the Book of Mormon III.
  • Chiasms in the Book of Mormon IV.
  • Chiasms in the Book of Mormon V.
  • Types of Christ.
  • The Names of God.
  • References to Christ in the Book of Mormon.
Jeremiah - Chiasms.
Lamentations - Chiasms.
Ezekiel - Chiasms.
Daniel - Chiasms.
Hosea - Chiasms.
Joel - Chiasms.
Amos - Chiasms.
Obadiah - Chiasms.
Jonah - Chiasms.
Micah - Chiasms.
Nahum - Chiasms.
Habakkuk - Chiasms.
Zephaniah - Chiasms.
Haggai - Chiasms.
Zechariah - Chiasms.
Malachi - Chiasms.

Timeline articles.

40000-12000 BP.
10000-9000 BC.
9000-8000 BC.
8000-7000 BC.
7000-6000 BC.
6000-5000 BC.
5000-4000 BC.
4000-3000 BC.
3000-2000 BC.
2000-1000 BC.
1000-900 BC.
900-800 BC.
800-700 BC.
700-600 BC.
600-500 BC.
500-400 BC.
400-300 BC.
300-200 BC.
200-100 BC.
100-1 BC.

Other articles.

Bibliography.
The Plan of Salvation.
The Visions of Eternity.
English and Hebrew Poetry.
The Birthright.
The Use of Stained Glass in LDS Buildings.
The Women of the Old Testament.
Introduction to and List of Ancient Texts and Authors.
The Intertestamental Period.
The 99 Names of God in the Qur'an.
Chiasms in the Qur'an.
The Ali Quli Qara'i (2005) Qur'an. (PDF)

THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

This 98th penultimate Post discusses the four hundred year period between Malachi and John the Baptist (the last prophet of the Old Testament), known as The Intertestamental Period.

Posts 82, 84, 86, and 88 covered the ancient history of this same period, but here we will discuss in greater detail events that affected the part of the world known as Judea (or Judæa): Israel, the Northern and Southern kingdoms, Palestine, and the Hasmonean empire, among other names.

Instead of the usual Book of Mormon quote, I offer you the following.

In October 2018 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson invited us to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year and "mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior." I accepted this invitation. Here are my References to Christ in the Book of Mormon. I put these references into a spreadsheet. I can email it to you if you are interested. Just ask.

CHIASMS IN ZECHARIAH & MALACHI

This 97th Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson 48, "The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord".

This lesson includes material from Zechariah (chapters 10-14) and Malachi.

See my collections of Chiasms in Zechariah and Chiasms in Malachi.

"I testify that Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of this last dispensation. It was he who, through the gift and power of God, translated this holy book [The Book of Mormon]. This is the book that will help to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord." (Russell M. Nelson, October 2017.)

ANCIENT TEXTS AND AUTHORS

This 96th Post contains my Introduction to my List of Ancient Texts and Authors.

Notice how there is virtually no true writing until long after Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden. People who looked like us, wore clothing, had fire, and used tools, had been around for at least 40 thousand years, but there was little innovation and no writing. See my Post People Before Adam and Eve, and my earlier post from my 2008 To Be Or Not To Be Blog.

I've collected books and online articles about the ancient texts for more then twenty-five years. About ten years ago I tried to summarize what I'd done in a series of Excel spreadsheets. I relied heavily on Wikipedia, which, in my opinion, is the best overall source of unbiased, factual information on the internet.

I had problems with the hyperlinks when I sorted the spreadsheets, so I never finished the project.

Now, ten years later, I've just revised the spreadsheet for the period down to 1 BC. I've checked the links and added some new material, but like almost everything I do, this is a work in progress.

"The Book of Mormon makes the solemn declaration that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. . . . When you read the Book of Mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book - from its first chapter to the last - the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God." (Russell M. Nelson.)

CHIASMS IN THE QUR'AN

This 95th Post shows some examples of Chiasms in the Qur'an.

The Qur'an wasn't written until after AD 600, so it is not part of the Old Testament.

Read the Qur'an. It might help you understand Islam, the source of so much conflict in today's world.

I've collected over twenty English translations of the Qur'an, and I've read it several times. Here is the Al Hilali & Khan translation.

"The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary. The Book of Mormon teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions—such as the erroneous practice of performing infant baptisms. The Book of Mormon gives purpose to life by urging us to ponder the potential of eternal life and “never-ending happiness.” The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness and that individual goodness is all that is required to return to the presence of God. It abolishes forever the false concepts that revelation ended with the Bible and that the heavens are sealed today." (Russell M. Nelson, October 2017.)

CHIASMS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, & HAGGAI

This 94th Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson 47, "Let Us Rise Up and Build".

Material from Ezra and Nehemiah is included in this lesson. Haggai is not included in the Gospel Doctrine lessons.

In about 457 BC, Ezra was sent to Jerusalem by king Artaxerxes to teach the laws of God. In about 445 BC, Nehemiah and Haggai were sent to tell the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple. (Some sources place Haggai nearly a hundred years earlier.)

See my collections of Chiasms in Ezra, Chiasms in Nehemiah, and Chiasms in Haggai.

"I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions - every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions." (Russell M. Nelson.)

CHIASMS IN GENESIS

This is my 93rd Post. Some of the Chiasms in Genesis were included in the first twenty Posts, but the book has an even greater wealth of chiastic content. I've divided it into four parts.

In the Beginning - Genesis 1-10.
The Life of Abraham - Genesis 11-25.
The Life of Jacob - Genesis 25-36.
The Life of Joseph - Genesis 36-50.

The Book of Mormon also has an amazing collection of Hebrew Poems.

Chiasms in the Book of Mormon 1: English, Spanish.
Chiasms in the Book of Mormon 2: English, Spanish.
Chiasms in the Book of Mormon 3: English, Spanish.
Chiasms in the Book of Mormon 4: English, Spanish.
Chiasms in the Book of Mormon 5: English, Spanish.

OTHER BOOKS

This 92nd Post covers five Old Testament books that are not included in any of the Gospel Doctrine Lessons. Here they are in the order found in the KJV Bible.

Song of Solomon and Chiasms in Song of Solomon.
Obadiah and Chiasms in Obadiah.
Nahum and Chiasms in Nahum.
Habakkuk and Chiasms in Habakkuk.
Zephaniah and Chiasms in Zephaniah.

Russell M. Nelson: "Study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ." The Book of Mormon is the "only book that the Lord Himself has testified to be true, . . . It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power, . . . [The Lord] has promised that those who live by the precepts of this book ‘shall receive a crown of eternal life.’"

CHIASMS IN DANIEL II

This 91st Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson 46, "A Kingdom, Which Shall Never Be Destroyed".

This lesson includes material from Daniel 2.

See my collection of Chiasms in Daniel. This is used in Posts #89 and #91.

"The Lord provided a guide--a spiritual road map--to help us achieve success in our journey. We call that guide the standard works, so named because they--the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price--constitute the standard by which we should live. They serve as a standard of reference, as are standards of time, weights, and measures that are kept in national bureaus of standards" (Russell M. Nelson, "Living by Scriptural Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

This 90th post is a Bibliography of the sources of my collection of chiastic materials.

This list is almost entirely made up of articles I gathered thirty years ago. Some of the authors no longer have a web presence. I've tried to find links to as many of them as possible. I'm certain many new investigators have material online that isn't in my collection. I've included links to a couple of other bibliographies that I found while I was compiling my list.

Today I like to document everything, but thirty years ago I was just interested in finding new chiasms, and for the most part I didn't record who discovered and diagrammed each one. Chiasmus Exchange, by Stephen Palmer, and Bible Literary Structure, by Hajime Murai, two of my main sources, mostly don't say where they got their material either. Nos autem culpant.

“The normal way of dealing with the Book of Mormon ‘scientifically’ has been first to attribute to the Book of Mormon something it did not say, and then to refute the claim by scientific statements that have not been proven” (Hugh Nibley, "Since Cumorah," 2nd ed. [Provo: FARMS, 1981], 214.).

CHIASMS IN DANIEL I & ESTHER

This 89th Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson 45, "If I Perish, I Perish".

This lesson includes material from Daniel 1, Daniel 3, Daniel 6, Esther 3-5, and Esther 7-8.

See my collections of Chiasms in Daniel, and Chiasms in Esther.

“Moroni did not promise a manifestation of the Holy Ghost to those who seek to know the truth of the Book of Mormon for hypothetical or academic reasons, even if they ‘ask with a sincere heart.’ The promise of Moroni is for those who are committed in their hearts to act upon the manifestation if it is received. Prayers based on any other reason have no promise because they are not made ‘with real intent’” (Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in Heart [1988], 19–20).

100 TO 1 BC

This 88th post is an outline of information about the period from 100 to 1 BC.

These Outlines of History are just that: Outlines. They contain links to additional information. Each one is a work in progress and none is as complete or as well organized as I would have liked. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

"If you are struggling, confused, or spiritually lost, I urge you to do the one thing I know will get you back on track. Begin again to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day! I testify of the profound power in the Book of Mormon that will change your life and strengthen your resolve to follow Christ. The Holy Ghost will change your heart and help you see “things as they really are.” He will show you what you need to do next" (Kevin W. Pearson, General Conference, April 2015).

CHIASMS IN EZEKIEL II

This 87th Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson #44, "Every Thing Shall Live Whither the River Cometh".

This lesson includes material from Ezekiel 43, Ezekiel 44, and Ezekiel 47.

See my collection of Chiasms in Ezekiel. This collection is used for Posts 85 and 87.

"The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill those covenants that He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We not only teach that concept, but we get to participate. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil" (Russell M. Nelson, New Mission Presidents Seminar, June 2012).

200 TO 100 BC

This 86th post is an outline of information about the period from 200 to 100 BC.

These Outlines of History are just that: Outlines. They contain links to additional information. Each one is a work in progress and none is as complete or as well organized as I would have liked. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

"The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel. It teaches of the Atonement of the Lord. Without the Book of Mormon, we would know very little about the Atonement. Because of our understanding of the Atonement, the Book of Mormon helps us to repent, to make and keep sacred covenants, and to merit the ordinances of salvation and exaltation. The Book of Mormon leads us to the temple and to qualify for eternal life" (Russell M. Nelson, New Mission Presidents Seminar, June 2012).

CHIASMS IN EZEKIEL I

This 85th Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson #43, The Shepherds of Israel.

This lesson includes material from Ezekiel 18, Ezekiel 34, and Ezekiel 37.

See my collection of Chiasms in Ezekiel. This collection is used for Posts 85 and 87.

"[T]he Book of Mormon is central to this work. It declares the doctrine of the gathering. It causes people to learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel, and to join His Church. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur" (Russell M. Nelson, Conference Report, Oct. 2006, 84; or Ensign, Nov. 2006, 80).

300 TO 200 BC

This 84th post is an outline of information about the period from 300 to 200 BC.

These Outlines of History are just that: Outlines. They contain links to additional information. Each one is a work in progress and none is as complete or as well organized as I would have liked. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

"We need to feel deep in 'the inmost part' of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it." Russell M. Nelson.

CHIASMS IN JEREMIAH II

This 83rd Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson 42, "I Will Write it in Their Hearts".

This lesson includes material from Jeremiah 16, Jeremiah 23, Jeremiah 29, and Jeremiah 31. Also see the Additional Reading section of the lesson.

See my collection of Chiasms in Jeremiah. This collection is used for Posts 81 and 83.

"The Bible often initiates and helps to sustain faith in Jesus, but the Book of Mormon is the convincer and the clarifier" (Neal A. Maxwell, BYU Devotional, November 1977).

400 TO 300 BC

This 82nd post is an outline of information about the period from 400 to 300 BC.

These Outlines of History are just that: Outlines. They contain links to additional information. Each one is a work in progress and none is as complete or as well organized as I would have liked. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

"The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants testify of each other. You cannot believe one and not the other. . . . "The Doctrine and Covenants is the binding link between the Book of Mormon and the continuing work of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. . . . "The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 'the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth' [D&C 1:30]. I know that. "The Book of Mormon is the 'keystone' of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone" (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987, 83).

CHIASMS IN JEREMIAH I & LAMENTATIONS

This 81st Post accompanies Gospel Doctrine lesson 41, "I Have Made Thee This Day ... an Iron Pillar".

This lesson includes material from Jeremiah 1-2, Jeremiah 15, Jeremiah 20, Jeremiah 26, and Jeremiah 36-38.

See my collection of Chiasms in Jeremiah. This collection is used for Posts 81 and 83.

Lamentations is not covered in a Gospel Doctrine lesson, but is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, although experts today doubt he wrote the book. See my collection of Chiasms in Lamentations.

"It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path . . . and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance" (Ezra Taft Benson, October 1986 General Conference).

500 TO 400 BC

This 80th post is an outline of information about the period from 500 to 400 BC.

These Outlines of History are just that: Outlines. They contain links to additional information. Each one is a work in progress and none is as complete or as well organized as I would have liked. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

"Neither the Bible nor the Book of Mormon in and of themselves is sufficient. Both are necessary for us to teach and learn about the full and complete doctrine of Christ. The need for the other does not diminish either one of them. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are necessary for our salvation and exaltation. As President Ezra Taft Benson so powerfully taught, 'When used together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines'"(L. Tom Perry, "The Power of Deliverance", General Conference, Apr. 2012).