Mount Sinai
Look up Exodus 19:11. On which day did the Lord come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people?
The third day
Read Exodus 20:8–11. On which day did God rest from His work of creation?
The seventh day (the Sabbath).
Read Exodus 25:8. The Lord told Moses to build a tabernacle/sanctuary so that He could do what?
“That I may dwell among them” (so the Lord could dwell among His people).
Read Exodus 32:4. While Moses was on the mountain, the Israelites made an idol shaped like what animal?
A (golden) calf.
Read Exodus 31:18. The Ten Commandments were written on what — and by whom?
Two tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Read Exodus 19:10–11. Before meeting with God, what TWO things were the Israelites told to do to prepare?
Sanctify themselves AND wash their clothes (be ready against the third day).
Read Exodus 20:3–4. What are the FIRST TWO commandments?
1) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 2) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (or any likeness… thou shalt not bow down… nor serve them).
How did the Israelites know HOW to build the tabernacle? (See Exodus 25:9, 40 — what did the Lord show Moses?)
The Lord showed Moses a pattern (a vision/pattern of the tabernacle) on the mountain — they built it after the pattern God revealed to Moses.
Read Exodus 32:1–5. Which brother of Moses gave in to the people and helped make the idol?
Aaron.
Read Exodus 32:19. What did Moses do to the FIRST set of tablets when he came down and saw the golden calf?
He cast them out of his hands and brake them beneath the mount (broke them).
In Exodus 19:5–6, the Lord says if Israel obeys His voice they will be a “peculiar treasure” and what kind of kingdom and nation?
A kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Read Exodus 20:12. Which commandment has a promise attached to it — and what is the promise?
Honour thy father and thy mother — promise: “that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
Discussion: Other than prayer, how do you think the Israelites connected with Jesus Christ through the tabernacle? (Think about ordinances, sacrifices, and the priesthood — see Exodus 24:4–8; Hebrews 9:11–14)
Through covenants, ordinances, and sacrifices performed at the tabernacle — all of which pointed forward to (symbolized) Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Accept thoughtful answers about sacrifices, the altar, the high priest, the veil, etc.
Read Exodus 24:18. About how many days had Moses been on the mountain when the people grew impatient?
Forty days (and forty nights).
How many sets of stone tablets did Moses bring down from the mountain in total? (See Exodus 31:18; 34:1)
Two sets.
President Russell M. Nelson taught the Hebrew word translated “peculiar” actually means “valued property” or “treasure.” What is that Hebrew word? (Hint: “Children of the Covenant,” Ensign, May 1995, p. 34)
Segullah.
Open to Exodus 20:1–17 and name FIVE commandments that begin with “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not.”
Any 5 of: Thou shalt have no other gods before me · Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image · Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain · Thou shalt not kill · Thou shalt not commit adultery · Thou shalt not steal · Thou shalt not bear false witness · Thou shalt not covet.
Discussion: Why do you think the Israelites used animal sacrifices in the tabernacle? (See Moses 5:5–8 for a great clue)
Animal sacrifices were a similitude (symbol) of the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ — the Only Begotten of the Father. They taught Israel to look forward to the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and to remember that redemption comes through Him.
Read Exodus 32:2–3. What personal items did the Israelites donate, which were melted down to form the calf?
Their golden earrings (the gold from their ears).
According to the Joseph Smith Translation of Exodus 34:1–2, what did the FIRST set of tablets contain that the second set did not?
The ordinances of the holy order (the Melchizedek Priesthood / the higher law).
Read Exodus 19:16–18. Name any TWO things that accompanied the Lord’s descent on Sinai.
Any two of: thunders, lightnings, thick cloud, the voice of the trumpet (exceeding loud), smoke, fire, the mountain quaking.
Open to Exodus 20:1–17 and list ALL TEN commandments (in any order, in your own words is OK).
1) No other gods before God · 2) No graven images / idols · 3) Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain · 4) Remember the Sabbath day, keep it holy · 5) Honour thy father and thy mother · 6) Thou shalt not kill · 7) Thou shalt not commit adultery · 8) Thou shalt not steal · 9) Thou shalt not bear false witness · 10) Thou shalt not covet.
Read Exodus 31:13. What did the Lord call the Sabbath — something between Him and His people throughout their generations?
A sign (“it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations”).
Fill in the blank from Exodus 32:8: “They have ___ ___ quickly out of the way which I commanded them.”
“turned aside”
The second set of tablets contained “the law of a carnal commandment.” This lesser law was administered by which priesthood? (See D&C 84:17–27)
The Aaronic Priesthood (the lesser priesthood / Levitical).