W. Cleon Skousen Insights

Text: 1 Samuel 16-17

Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 1

BYU Lecture 25: The Jews use different names for some of their scriptural books than do our Bible scriptures. The following reference table shows these differences:

                  JEWISH                                 KJV Bible

            1^st Book of Kings                    1^st Samuel

            2^nd Book of Kings                   2^nd Samuel

            3^rd Book of Kings                   1^st Kings

            4^th Book of Kings                    2^nd Kings

            5^th Book of Kings                    1^st Chronicles (parallels 1^st Kings)

            6^th Book of Kings                    2^nd Chronicles (parallels 2^nd Kings)

All the history and prophecy during this period of time was originally recorded by the prophets Samuel, Nathan and Gad, but the writings were tragically lost. Fortunately, scribes and scholars had extracted some material from the original writings which we have today in these 6 books. It’s important to keep in mind that these writings we have today were not recorded by prophets of God, but rather by scribes.

Near the beginning of the fourth thousand years (about 1,100 BC) the slothful high priest was Eli. His student Samuel was called by God to replace Eli, to be the new prophet and High Priest of Israel.

Samuel’s prophetic voice shapes the nation. But Israel eventually rejects Samuel as their leader and demands a king. Distraught by failure, Samuel is reassured by God that Israel has not rejected Samuel but has rejected God. Meanwhile, a humble shepherd boy named David begins life’s journey in the shepherd fields.

 

Text: The Old Testament Summary

Supplemental Text: Finish up the Third Thousand Years chapters 21-26 from last semester. The Fourth Thousand Years text begins next week.

BYU Lecture 24: This is the "thundering thousand years" from David down to Christ. This is the thousand years of Bible history in which you have all prophets, not the Patriarchs. Programmed learning includes memorizing the “hook dates” in biblical history so the doctrine of the gospel can be connected to its history and context. For example, 1776 is a hook date that can be related to all the American independence and revolutionary war activities. By memorizing hook dates, the entire Old Testament will come alive and piece together the events, patriarchs, prophets, and kings.

Old Testament Hook Dates, simple and worth memorization:

4,000 BC Fall of Adam and Eve

3,500 BC Enoch

3,000 BC Noah

2,344 BC The Great Flood (just remember 1-2-3-4....4)

2,000 BC Abraham

1,900 BC Isaac

1,800 BS Jacob

1,700 BC Joseph

1,500 BC Moses

1,400 BC Joshua

1,100 BC Samuel and Saul

1,000 BC David and Solomon

   922 BC Division of Israel

   900 BC Elijah

   800 BC Elisha

   700 BC Isaiah

   600 BC Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekial, Lehi and Nephi

   589 BC Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem

   538 BC Jews return to Jerusalem

   516 BC Dedication of the new temple in Jerusalem

Join Dr. W. Cleon Skousen on a sweeping, personal journey through the birth of the United States—where battlefield drama, prophetic vision, and a small band of determined leaders collide to forge a Constitution which ultimately bears the hand of God. Through vivid anecdotes—from Yorktown’s storms to the tense debates in Philadelphia—Skousen brings the Founders to life and reveals why the document they wrote contain principles for all mankind, no matter the time, place or circumstance. 

Part history lesson, part sermon, this episode is a heartfelt call to action: learn the rules that made freedom possible, teach them to the next generation, and take up the unfinished work of exporting constitutional liberty to a troubled world.

Text: Deuteronomy 6-8; 15; 18; 29-30; 34

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapter 20

BYU Lecture 23: Finally, the Lord declares that Israel is now ready to enter Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses is 120 years old and is in the last year of his life. He has also recently lost Aaron and Miriam.

Moses takes the hosts of Israel on a march towards the east of the Dead Sea, avoiding the Anaks. Along their march, God instructs Moses not to fight against three groups or tribes: the Edomites (children of Abraham through Esau, known today as Arabs), nor the Moabites or Ammonites (both groups descended from Abraham through Lot).

The story of the fallen prophet Balaam is told and how he colluded with the Midianites to corrupt the youth of Israel.

Moses is told that he is allowed to see the Promised Land but he cannot enter it. In his final 30 days of mortality, Moses devotes himself to record the book of Deuteronomy – God’s Laws.

Moses is translated and Joshua takes the lead as the Israelites march into the promised land. The miracle of the river divided. Manna is now stopped. Joshua puts all Israel under covenant to God by circumcising the men and then marches around Jericho and the walls fall.

Text: Numbers 11-14; 20-24; 27

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 18-19

BYU Lecture 22: The law of carnal commandments include many different sacrifices and oblations which are discussed. The Lord hates them because as a schoolmaster, the law was not obeyed by Israel with humility or a contrite spirit. These carnal commandments were fulfilled and taken away at the time of Christ.

The laws of reparation are discussed and explained, such as “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” This God-given law is not a law of vengeance or revenge as it is taught generally, but a beautiful law of reparation which benefits the victim, the perpetrator and the entire society.

The law of Capital Punishment is also largely misunderstood, which is discussed and explained according to scripture as God delivered it. Properly understood, this sacred law allows for agency and it benefits society.

As Moses brings the people of Israel closer to the promised land, their complaints and whining become so unbearable that Moses goes to the Lord for help. The Lord organizes the Sanhedrin, or council of 70, to assist Moses.  He also sends them quail for meat because they complained about the manna. Those who lusted for the quail died from gluttony.

As the camp arrives near the Promised Land they send in spies to check the military might of the enemy. To their astonishment, they find the land full of mighty Anaks, or very large people (similar to Goliath). They panic, replace Moses with a new leader and flee. This so angers the Lord that He refuses to let any of the adult Israelites to ever enter the promised land, with the only exception to be Caleb and Joshua. Israel is condemned to wander in the wilderness 38 more years until all these original adult Israelites die off.

Text: Exodus 35-40; Leviticus 1: 4; 16; 19

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapter 17

BYU Lecture 21: After taking Israel out of Egypt Moses immediately began teaching the people the Gospel of Jesus Christ so they could witness God and become a people like unto the city of Enoch. But these people were unworthy and unwilling to behold God. Therefore, instead of receiving the Melchizedek priesthood and the temple ordinances, they were given the lesser priesthood and the "Law of Moses," comprising the law of the Gospel Covenant (including the 10 commandments) and also the temporary law of carnal commandments, a schoolmaster law of tedious offerings and oblations.

The Tabernacle is then constructed in precise detail, as commanded by God.

Moses takes a census of each tribe and situates each one around the outskirts of the Tabernacle. The tribe of Levi, however, was assigned differently. Each Levite male was consecrated as a servant in the Levitical Priesthood to function on behalf of the entire camp of Israel. These Levites were positioned immediately around the Tabernacle, within the outer circle of the other tribes.

After nearly a year at Mt. Sinai, God commands Moses to pack up and march the people into the promised land. Unfortunately, all along the way the people murmured against Moses and the Lord. As a result, this relatively short march turned into a long, cleansing march lasting another 38 years before they were finally qualified to enter Canaan - the promised land.

Text: Exodus 19-20; 24; 31-34

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 14-16

BYU Lecture 20: After a 2 month journey from Egypt, Moses brings the entire camp of Israel to the base of Mt Sinai. Moses climbs the mount and meets with God, who offers Israel a covenant to make them His chosen people and to do His work throughout the world, if they would be obedient. This is the same covenant God made with Enoch, Jared, Melchizedek, and the Latter-day Saints. Moses returns and presents God’s offer to the Israelites who accept the covenant wholeheartedly. Moses ascends back up the mount to report to God. He asks God to allow the Israelites to see and hear God for themselves, as He did for the people of Enoch. God agrees to let the people see great wonders and hear His voice, but they are not yet prepared spiritually to see His face. Moses returns down the mount and instructs the people to begin their sanctification. God begins to show great wonders and the voice of God thunders across all Israel as He recites to Moses the ten commandments. This so frightened the entire camp of Israel that they all fled “afar off” and meekly ask Moses to be their spokesman.

Again ascending the mount, this time with Aaron, his two sons and 70 righteous elders, God visits them. Moses climbs further and for 40 days receives the two tablets of stone (10 commandments), additional higher laws, and the sacred temple ordinances. Meanwhile, Aaron, his 2 sons and the 70 elders become impatient and return to the camp of Israel. These people had also become impatient and regressed into recklessness, returning to the debauchery of heathen cults and fertility worship as learned in Egypt, including the worship of a golden calf. The Lord commands Moses to hurry down the mountain because Israel had corrupted themselves.

Moses hurries down and when he saw what the Israelites were doing he was so disgusted he smashes the sacred tablets and commands the Levites to slay the 3,000 who were participating in the cult.

Again, Moses ascends the mount and stays for another 40 days for further instruction.

The tabernacle is built, but for a lessor purpose and a lesser priesthood. The carnal commandments are set in order, including tedious offerings, sacrifices, rituals, health codes and other schoolmaster elements. These carnal commandments will remain as part of the Law of Moses until the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Text: Exodus 14 - 18

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapter 13

BYU Lecture 19 summary: Today, there are many inaccurate doctrines taught throughout the church regarding the Law of Moses, the Law of the Covenant and the Carnal Commandments. The restored gospel compels us to teach the correct doctrine as restored by the Lord.

When the Israelites were finally released by Pharoah, they were sent out laden with Egyption gold, silver and wealth, just as promised by God. The people are led to the shores of the Red Sea where it appears to Pharoah they were trapped and vulnerable to attack. The Red Sea is miraculously divided and the Israelites escape on dry land, while the avenging Egyption army is drowned.

Having been rescued by God, Moses leads the people toward Mount Sinai while teaching the people the gospel of Jesus Christ. During this 2-month trek the people witness the miracles of quail for meat, manna for bread and sweet water springing from rock.

The family of Moses arrive from Midian. Jethro teaches Moses the proper priesthood administration over the vast number of Israelites, as commanded by God. This same administrative procedure is used in the church today.   

Text: Exodus 7-13

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapter 12

BYU Lecture 18: At the age of 80, Moses crosses the desert back into Egypt. He and his brother Aaron meet with the leaders of Israel with the message from God – liberation! Moses demonstrates his authority from God by displaying the miracles of the staff and leprous hand, just as Jehovah had done with Moses on Mount Sinai. The demand for liberation is made to Pharoah, who mocks it and in spite, increases the burdens of the Israelites. The ten plagues commence – water to blood, frogs, lice, death of cattle, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and finally the slaying of the first-born.

Each plague is reviewed. The modern feast of the Passover is explained by a Jewish guest who is a convert to the church (unfortunately, the audio is very difficult to hear as the discussion came from the classroom floor and not from the microphone. If you have access to closed caption it is easier to follow).

Written by W. Cleon Skousen and narrated by Francis Urry, this professionally dramatized story of Easter was produced by KSL radio in Salt Lake City and was widely broadcast on radio stations during the 1960's and 1970's.

Journey through the Easter events beginning with the burial of Jesus Christ and concluding with His ascension. In the stillness of pre-dawn Jerusalem, a group of devoted women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Joanna, among others, embark on a poignant mission to anoint the body of Jesus with sweet spices. Their story unfolds with dramatic encounters at the tomb, where they are greeted by angelic figures announcing Jesus' resurrection.

Powerful moments of disbelief, followed by a wonderous realization by Jesus’ closest followers, including Mary and the apostles, the emotional transitions from fear and sorrow to amazement and renewal of faith as the resurrected Christ appears first to Mary and later to the broader group of disciples.

The moving account of Jesus’ 40-day ministry after His resurrection, filled with miraculous appearances and profound teachings. Culminating in Jesus’ ascension, the saints launch and ignite a global Christian movement of faith, testimony and hope.