Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Deuteronomy is known as the book of remembrance. It contains the last sermons of Moses and what he wanted Israel to remember after he was gone. Of the five books of Moses, Deuteronomy is the most quoted by Old Testament prophets. It is quoted or alluded to almost one hundred times in the New Testament. Indeed, if you want to understand Isaiah, you need to understand Deuteronomy.
10 Facts about Deuteronomy (True or False in video intro)
To live in “The Promised Land”
President Russell M. Nelson speaking of what was taught in general conference: “… can be summarized by two divinely decreed words: “Hear Him.” We pray that your focus on Heavenly Father, who spoke those words, and on His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, will loom largest in your memories of all that has transpired. We pray that you will begin anew truly to hear, hearken to, and heed the words of the Savior. I promise that decreased fear and increased faith will follow.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/57nelson?lang=eng)
President Ezra Taft Benson: "Every generation has its tests and its chance to stand and prove itself. Would you like to know of one of our toughest tests? Hear the warning words of President Brigham Young: "The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty and all manner of persecution and be true. But my greatest fear is that they cannot stand wealth." ...Do you know what peace and prosperity can do to a people--it can put them to sleep. (President Ezra Taft Benson, to Regional Representatives on Sept. 30, 1977)
President Hugh B. Brown (1883–1975) of the First Presidency described a conversation he had with a member of the British House of Commons and former justice of the Supreme Court of England, who was not a member of the Church, about the need for living prophets and the revelation they receive:
“[I said,] ‘I am submitting to you in all seriousness that it was standard procedure in Bible times for God to talk to men.’
“[He responded,] ‘I think I will admit that, but it stopped shortly after the first century of the Christian era.’
“‘Why do you think it stopped?’
“‘I can’t say.’ “‘You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?’
“‘Not to my knowledge.’
“‘May I suggest some possible reasons why he has not spoken. Perhaps it is because he cannot. He has lost the power.’
“He said, ‘Of course that would be blasphemous.’
“‘Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps he doesn’t speak to men because he doesn’t love us anymore. He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.’
“‘No,’ he said, ‘God loves all men, and he is no respecter of persons.’
“‘Well, . . . then the only other possible answer as I see it is that we don’t need him. We have made such rapid strides in education and science that we don’t need God anymore.’
“And then he said, and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war [World War II], ‘Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why he doesn’t speak.’
“My answer was, ‘He does speak, he has spoken; but men need faith to hear him.’
“Then we proceeded to examine what I may call a ‘profile of a prophet.’
“The judge sat and listened intently. He asked some very pointed and searching questions, and at the end of the interview he said, ‘Mr. Brown, I wonder if your people appreciate the import of your message. Do you?’ He said, ‘If what you have told me is true, it is the greatest message that has come to this earth since the angels announced the birth of Christ’” (“The Profile of a Prophet,” Ensign, June 2006, 36–37, 39).
As the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land, God wanted to prevent from spreading among them a kind of spiritual sickness that would have had eternal consequences. He gave Israel a few reminders:
President Russell M. Nelson: “[Have] faith to keep all the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless His children and bring them joy [see 2 Nephi 2:25]. [You] will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments” (“Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34).
President Russell M. Nelson: A theme in the scriptures requisite for significant accomplishment is difficult to summarize in one word, so I shall link two to describe it—strength and courage. Repeatedly, scriptures yoke these attributes of character together, especially when difficult challenges are to be conquered.” (see Deut. 31:6, 7, 23; Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Josh. 10:25; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 32:7; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Alma 43:43; Alma 53:20). (“With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible,” Ensign, May 1988, 35)
President Russell M. Nelson: A theme in the scriptures requisite for significant accomplishment is difficult to summarize in one word, so I shall link two to describe it—strength and courage. Repeatedly, scriptures yoke these attributes of character together, especially when difficult challenges are to be conquered.” (see Deut. 31:6, 7, 23; Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Josh. 10:25; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 32:7; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Alma 43:43; Alma 53:20). (“With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible,” Ensign, May 1988, 35)
President Joseph Fielding Smith explained why Moses was translated: “Moses, like Elijah, was taken up without tasting death, because he had a mission to perform. …
“When Moses and Elijah came to the Savior and to Peter, James, and John upon the Mount, what was their coming for? Was it just some spiritual manifestation to strengthen these three apostles? Or did they come merely to give comfort unto the Son of God in his ministry and to prepare him for his crucifixion? No! That was not the purpose. I will read it to you. The Prophet Joseph Smith has explained it as follows:
“‘The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias [Elijah], gave the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him. The Priesthood is everlasting—without beginning of days or end of years; without father, mother, etc. If there is no change of ordinances, there is no change of Priesthood. Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel are administered, there is the Priesthood. … Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next’ [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 105; italics added]. …
Teaching Thoughts:
10 Facts about Deuteronomy (True or False in video intro)
- Deuteronomy means "second law" or "repetition of the law" because, in this book, Moses repeats many of the laws and commandments that were part of Israel's covenant with the Lord.
- Deuteronomy contains Moses's final words, including three great final sermons (chapters 1-4, chapters 5-26, and chapters 27-30), to the children of Israel before they entered the land of Canaan with Joshua as their leader.
- Moses is the author of Deuteronomy, and he delivered the sermons in this book about forty years after the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
- The final chapter of Deuteronomy recounts Moses's death; however, other scriptures (see Matthew 17:3-4, Mark 9:4-9, Luke 9:30, and Alma 45:19) clarify that Moses did not die but was translated.
- When Moses delivered the sermons in Deuteronomy, he and the Israelites were encamped on the east side of the Jordan River, just outside the promised land of Canaan.
- There is no official doctrine about when Deuteronomy and the other books of Moses were written.
- Moses's first great sermon in Deuteronomy is an introduction, his second is about the Ten Commandments and a code of other laws for Israel, and his third contains a renewal of the covenant and an explanation of the blessings of obedience and the curses upon disobedience.
- The instructions in Deuteronomy were specifically directed to a new generation, whose parents had died in the wilderness following their rebellion.
- Of the five books of Moses, Deuteronomy is the most quoted by Old Testament prophets.
- Deuteronomy is quoted or alluded to almost one hundred times in the New Testament, and Jesus used verses from Deuteronomy to dismiss the temptations of Satan (see Matthew 4:1-11) and to explain which commandment was the greatest in the law (see Matthew 22:37).
To live in “The Promised Land”
- “…hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land.” (v. 1)
- “Cleave unto the Lord.” (v. 4)
- “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding” (v. 6)
- take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently (v. 9)
- Heed (Heb šāmar) - to keep, guard, observe, give heed, keep watch, protect
- Keep (Heb šāmar) - to keep, guard, observe, give heed, keep watch, protect
- An emphasis on observing, protecting, keeping a watch on yourself, So that..
- You don’t “forget”
- You don’t “depart from thy heart”
- You will “teach [God’s commandments] to your [children and grandchildren” (v. 9)
- An emphasis on observing, protecting, keeping a watch on yourself, So that..
- Gather “the people together and I will make them hear.” (v. 10)
- The Lord asked Moses “to teach you statutes and judgement that ye might do them” (v. 14)
- “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves.” (v. 15)
President Russell M. Nelson speaking of what was taught in general conference: “… can be summarized by two divinely decreed words: “Hear Him.” We pray that your focus on Heavenly Father, who spoke those words, and on His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, will loom largest in your memories of all that has transpired. We pray that you will begin anew truly to hear, hearken to, and heed the words of the Savior. I promise that decreased fear and increased faith will follow.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/57nelson?lang=eng)
President Ezra Taft Benson: "Every generation has its tests and its chance to stand and prove itself. Would you like to know of one of our toughest tests? Hear the warning words of President Brigham Young: "The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty and all manner of persecution and be true. But my greatest fear is that they cannot stand wealth." ...Do you know what peace and prosperity can do to a people--it can put them to sleep. (President Ezra Taft Benson, to Regional Representatives on Sept. 30, 1977)
President Hugh B. Brown (1883–1975) of the First Presidency described a conversation he had with a member of the British House of Commons and former justice of the Supreme Court of England, who was not a member of the Church, about the need for living prophets and the revelation they receive:
“[I said,] ‘I am submitting to you in all seriousness that it was standard procedure in Bible times for God to talk to men.’
“[He responded,] ‘I think I will admit that, but it stopped shortly after the first century of the Christian era.’
“‘Why do you think it stopped?’
“‘I can’t say.’ “‘You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?’
“‘Not to my knowledge.’
“‘May I suggest some possible reasons why he has not spoken. Perhaps it is because he cannot. He has lost the power.’
“He said, ‘Of course that would be blasphemous.’
“‘Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps he doesn’t speak to men because he doesn’t love us anymore. He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.’
“‘No,’ he said, ‘God loves all men, and he is no respecter of persons.’
“‘Well, . . . then the only other possible answer as I see it is that we don’t need him. We have made such rapid strides in education and science that we don’t need God anymore.’
“And then he said, and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war [World War II], ‘Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why he doesn’t speak.’
“My answer was, ‘He does speak, he has spoken; but men need faith to hear him.’
“Then we proceeded to examine what I may call a ‘profile of a prophet.’
“The judge sat and listened intently. He asked some very pointed and searching questions, and at the end of the interview he said, ‘Mr. Brown, I wonder if your people appreciate the import of your message. Do you?’ He said, ‘If what you have told me is true, it is the greatest message that has come to this earth since the angels announced the birth of Christ’” (“The Profile of a Prophet,” Ensign, June 2006, 36–37, 39).
As the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land, God wanted to prevent from spreading among them a kind of spiritual sickness that would have had eternal consequences. He gave Israel a few reminders:
- Deuteronomy 22:1–4 (Laws about returning others’ property)
- Deuteronomy 22:5 (A law about dress and appearance)
- Deuteronomy 22:25–27 (Laws protecting the victims of sexual assault)
- Deuteronomy 24:19–22 (Laws about caring for those in need)
- Deuteronomy 26:12–13 (Law of tithing)
President Russell M. Nelson: “[Have] faith to keep all the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless His children and bring them joy [see 2 Nephi 2:25]. [You] will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments” (“Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34).
President Russell M. Nelson: A theme in the scriptures requisite for significant accomplishment is difficult to summarize in one word, so I shall link two to describe it—strength and courage. Repeatedly, scriptures yoke these attributes of character together, especially when difficult challenges are to be conquered.” (see Deut. 31:6, 7, 23; Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Josh. 10:25; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 32:7; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Alma 43:43; Alma 53:20). (“With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible,” Ensign, May 1988, 35)
President Russell M. Nelson: A theme in the scriptures requisite for significant accomplishment is difficult to summarize in one word, so I shall link two to describe it—strength and courage. Repeatedly, scriptures yoke these attributes of character together, especially when difficult challenges are to be conquered.” (see Deut. 31:6, 7, 23; Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Josh. 10:25; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 32:7; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Alma 43:43; Alma 53:20). (“With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible,” Ensign, May 1988, 35)
President Joseph Fielding Smith explained why Moses was translated: “Moses, like Elijah, was taken up without tasting death, because he had a mission to perform. …
“When Moses and Elijah came to the Savior and to Peter, James, and John upon the Mount, what was their coming for? Was it just some spiritual manifestation to strengthen these three apostles? Or did they come merely to give comfort unto the Son of God in his ministry and to prepare him for his crucifixion? No! That was not the purpose. I will read it to you. The Prophet Joseph Smith has explained it as follows:
“‘The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias [Elijah], gave the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him. The Priesthood is everlasting—without beginning of days or end of years; without father, mother, etc. If there is no change of ordinances, there is no change of Priesthood. Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel are administered, there is the Priesthood. … Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next’ [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 105; italics added]. …
Teaching Thoughts:
- If you want to understand Isaiah, you need to understand Deuteronomy.
- How is this written in your heart, hands and home? “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut. 6:4)
- When was the last time you knew that God has called a prophet in our day? How did you know?
- For the musically talented, write a song like Moses did.
- In one sentence, what did Moses want us to remember?