“Lesson 21: The Ten Commandments,” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),90

““Lesson 21: The Ten Commandments,” Lesson 21: The Ten Commandments,” Primary 6: Old Testament, Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),90(1996),90

FlourFlourSugarSugarBaking PowderBaking PowderSalt Salt EggsEggsMilk Milk VanillaVanillaHow would you use these How would you use these ingredients to make a cake?ingredients to make a cake?

Instructions are necessary to be Instructions are necessary to be able to do what I asked you to able to do what I asked you to do. do.

How are rules and laws like How are rules and laws like instructions?instructions?

You could make a cake even if You could make a cake even if you didn’t follow instructions, you didn’t follow instructions, but you might not want to eat it. but you might not want to eat it.

If you carefully followed the If you carefully followed the instructions of a good recipe, instructions of a good recipe, the cake would be good to eat.the cake would be good to eat.

Rules are necessary in Rules are necessary in other aspects of our lives.other aspects of our lives.

Name some rules we Name some rules we should follow to:should follow to:be safebe safehave good healthhave good healthhave good relationships have good relationships with otherswith others

have eternal lifehave eternal life

These are laws given by God to These are laws given by God to help us know what to do and how help us know what to do and how to live so we can be happy.to live so we can be happy.

Rules bring order Rules bring order into our lives and into our lives and are necessary for are necessary for us to know how to us to know how to live happily. live happily.

In this lesson we In this lesson we will learn about will learn about Moses and the Moses and the Israelites receiving Israelites receiving the Ten the Ten Commandments. Commandments.

The Israelites were The Israelites were not happy when they not happy when they did not follow the did not follow the Ten Ten Commandments. Commandments.

They were denied They were denied blessings when they blessings when they disobeyed the disobeyed the commandments commandments they had been given.they had been given.

The Israelites traveled The Israelites traveled in the wilderness for in the wilderness for two months. They came two months. They came to Mount Sinai. to Mount Sinai.

Moses went up Moses went up the mountain. the mountain. Jesus Christ spoke Jesus Christ spoke to him. Jesus told to him. Jesus told Moses to tell the Moses to tell the Israelites how they Israelites how they had been blessed. had been blessed.

After the children of Israel came After the children of Israel came out of Egypt and were miraculously out of Egypt and were miraculously helped by the Lord to cross the helped by the Lord to cross the Red Sea, they traveled to the Red Sea, they traveled to the wilderness of Sinai. wilderness of Sinai.

When the Lord talked to Moses When the Lord talked to Moses from Mount Sinai, He asked Moses from Mount Sinai, He asked Moses to remind the children of Israel to remind the children of Israel how He had saved them from the how He had saved them from the Egyptians Egyptians

Let’s read Exodus 19:4Let’s read Exodus 19:4

Why was it Why was it important for important for them to them to remember this remember this incident? incident?

Why should we Why should we always remember always remember blessings we blessings we receive from receive from Heavenly Father Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?and Jesus Christ?

Moses went down the Moses went down the mountain. He told the mountain. He told the people what Jesus people what Jesus said. The people said. The people promised to obey. promised to obey. They would do what They would do what Jesus said and Jesus Jesus said and Jesus would bless them. would bless them.

Jesus had led them out of Jesus had led them out of Egypt. He said the people Egypt. He said the people should obey His should obey His commandments. He would commandments. He would bless them.bless them.

A cloud of smoke came A cloud of smoke came on the mountain. Jesus on the mountain. Jesus was in the cloud. The was in the cloud. The mountain shook. Jesus mountain shook. Jesus spoke to the people. spoke to the people.

Jesus wanted the Jesus wanted the Israelites to hear Israelites to hear his voice. Moses his voice. Moses told them to stand told them to stand at the bottom of a at the bottom of a mountain. The mountain. The mountain was mountain was called Mount Sinai. called Mount Sinai.

What was required of the Israelites What was required of the Israelites to become God’s “peculiar to become God’s “peculiar treasure”? treasure”?

Let’s read Exodus 19:5–6Let’s read Exodus 19:5–6In the Old Testament “the Hebrew In the Old Testament “the Hebrew term from which term from which peculiarpeculiar was was translated is translated is segullah,segullah, which means which means ‘valued property’ or ‘treasure’ ” ‘valued property’ or ‘treasure’ ” (Russell (Russell

M. Nelson, in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, p. 44; or M. Nelson, in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, p. 44; or Ensign,Ensign, May 1995, p. May 1995, p. 34). 34).

What can we do to show Heavenly What can we do to show Heavenly Father that we want to be part of Father that we want to be part of his “peculiar,” or covenant, people?his “peculiar,” or covenant, people?

What did the Israelites say What did the Israelites say when they covenanted with the when they covenanted with the Lord?Lord?

Let’s read Exodus 19:8Let’s read Exodus 19:8What similar covenants have What similar covenants have we made with the Lord? we made with the Lord?

Our covenants at baptism to Our covenants at baptism to keep his commandments.keep his commandments.

When do we renew our When do we renew our covenants with the Lord? covenants with the Lord?

When we partake of the When we partake of the sacrament each week.sacrament each week.

Why is it important to renew Why is it important to renew and remember our covenants and remember our covenants each Sunday?each Sunday?

What sacred opportunity did the What sacred opportunity did the Lord promise the Israelites if Lord promise the Israelites if they washed their clothes and they washed their clothes and purified themselves? purified themselves?

Let’s read Exodus 19:9–11Let’s read Exodus 19:9–11They were preparing themselves They were preparing themselves

to be presented to God.to be presented to God.

Let’s read Exodus 20:18, 22Let’s read Exodus 20:18, 22

After the After the children of children of Israel had Israel had prepared prepared themselves themselves to be in the to be in the presence of presence of the Lord, the Lord, what did what did they see they see and hear?and hear?

The people heard Jesus Christ. The people heard Jesus Christ. They were afraid. They did not want They were afraid. They did not want Jesus to talk to them. They wanted Jesus to talk to them. They wanted him to talk to Moses. Then Moses him to talk to Moses. Then Moses could tell them what Jesus said. could tell them what Jesus said.

Moses went Moses went back up Mount back up Mount Sinai. Jesus Sinai. Jesus gave other gave other commandments commandments for the people. for the people.

Moses told Moses told Aaron and Aaron and Aaron’s two Aaron’s two sons to come up sons to come up the mountain. the mountain.

He also told He also told seventy elders seventy elders to come up. The to come up. The men went up men went up the mountain. the mountain.

They saw Jesus. They saw Jesus.

Jesus told Moses to come Jesus told Moses to come higher on the mountain. higher on the mountain.

Jesus wrote the Jesus wrote the commandments on stone with commandments on stone with his finger. Jesus gave Moses his finger. Jesus gave Moses the commandments. the commandments.

Moses was gone forty days Moses was gone forty days and forty nights. He did not and forty nights. He did not eat or drink all that time.eat or drink all that time.

What did the Lord give Moses What did the Lord give Moses on Mount Sinai? on Mount Sinai? Let’s read Exodus 24:12; 31:18Let’s read Exodus 24:12; 31:18

What are the Ten What are the Ten Commandments? Commandments?

The Ten Commandments were The Ten Commandments were part of a more complete part of a more complete spiritual law that God gave spiritual law that God gave Moses. Moses.

1. Thou shalt have no other 1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). gods before me (Exodus 20:3).

2. Thou shalt not make unto 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image thee any graven image (Exodus 20:4). (Exodus 20:4).

3. Thou shalt not take the 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in name of the Lord thy God in vain (Exodus 20:7). vain (Exodus 20:7).

4. Remember the sabbath day, 4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8). to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8).

5. Honour thy father and thy 5. Honour thy father and thy mother (Exodus 20:12). mother (Exodus 20:12).

6. Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 6. Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13). 20:13).

7. Thou shalt not commit 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). adultery (Exodus 20:14).

8. Thou shalt not steal 8. Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15). (Exodus 20:15).

9. Thou shalt not bear false 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16). witness (Exodus 20:16).

10. Thou shalt not covet 10. Thou shalt not covet (Exodus 20:17).(Exodus 20:17).

What do the commandments mean?What do the commandments mean?Let’s play a game!Let’s play a game!I am going to give each of you a I am going to give each of you a number from 1 to 10. Learn the number from 1 to 10. Learn the commandment that goes with your commandment that goes with your number.number.

Then, I am going to take down the Then, I am going to take down the Ten Commandments chart and call Ten Commandments chart and call out random numbers. When I call out random numbers. When I call your number say the commandment your number say the commandment that goes along with it.that goes along with it.

Enrichment Activity #2


I am going to put on the board:I am going to put on the board:

Let’s look up Exodus 20:3-17Let’s look up Exodus 20:3-17Each of you will take a turn reading a Each of you will take a turn reading a commandment and writing a few key commandment and writing a few key words under the appropriate heading.words under the appropriate heading.

Love Love NeighborsNeighbors



Think of ways to Think of ways to live these live these commandments.commandments.

I challenge each of I challenge each of you to choose one you to choose one specific way to show specific way to show love for God and to love for God and to show love for your show love for your neighbors this week.neighbors this week.

Aaron Aaron and the and the other men other men went back went back down the down the mountain. mountain.

One of the seventy elders One of the seventy elders on Mount Sinai was on Mount Sinai was Joshua. He waited there Joshua. He waited there for Moses. for Moses.

Some of the Israelites came to Some of the Israelites came to Aaron. They said Moses had Aaron. They said Moses had been gone a long time. They did been gone a long time. They did not know what he was doing.not know what he was doing.

They were tired They were tired of waiting for of waiting for him. They him. They wanted Aaron to wanted Aaron to make an idol for make an idol for them to worship. them to worship. They did not They did not want to worship want to worship God. God.

How long was How long was Moses on Mount Moses on Mount Sinai? Sinai? Let’s read Exodus Let’s read Exodus

24:1824:18What did the What did the children of Israel do children of Israel do because he was because he was gone? gone? Let’s read Exodus Let’s read Exodus

32:1–432:1–4

All the men and All the men and women wore women wore gold earrings. gold earrings. Aaron told them Aaron told them to bring the to bring the earrings to him.earrings to him.

He made an He made an idol out of the idol out of the gold. The idol gold. The idol looked like a looked like a calf. calf.

Aaron built an altar near Aaron built an altar near the golden calf. Some of the the golden calf. Some of the Israelites made sacrifices on Israelites made sacrifices on the altar. the altar.

They worshiped the golden They worshiped the golden calf. It was wicked to make calf. It was wicked to make sacrifices to the golden calf. sacrifices to the golden calf.

Which of the Ten Commandments Which of the Ten Commandments were the Israelites breaking in were the Israelites breaking in worshiping the golden calf? worshiping the golden calf?

What kind What kind of “graven of “graven images” or images” or idols do idols do people in people in our modern our modern world world worship? worship?

Some people worship gods Some people worship gods made of brass or wood, the way made of brass or wood, the way the Israelites worshiped the the Israelites worshiped the golden calf. But idol worship golden calf. But idol worship can also be more than that. can also be more than that.

An idol can be anything that An idol can be anything that becomes so important that it becomes so important that it takes an inappropriate amount takes an inappropriate amount of our time and thought. It of our time and thought. It becomes a god to us. becomes a god to us.

Today our false Today our false gods can take gods can take such forms as such forms as money, material money, material possessions, possessions, physical physical appearance, appearance, recreation, or recreation, or idolizing famous idolizing famous athletes, actors, athletes, actors, or musicians.or musicians.

Moses was on Mount Moses was on Mount Sinai with Jesus. Sinai with Jesus. Jesus said some of Jesus said some of the Israelites were the Israelites were doing wicked things. doing wicked things. They had forgotten They had forgotten Jesus. Jesus.

Jesus was angry. He said Jesus was angry. He said the wicked Israelites must the wicked Israelites must die. He said Moses would be die. He said Moses would be blessed because he was blessed because he was righteous. righteous.

Moses asked Moses asked Jesus to Jesus to remember his remember his promise to promise to the Israelites. the Israelites.

Jesus had promised they Jesus had promised they would be a large family. would be a large family. They would have the They would have the priesthood. They would priesthood. They would have the promised land. have the promised land.

Moses came Moses came down from Mount down from Mount Sinai with the two Sinai with the two large stones in large stones in his hands. his hands.

Jesus had Jesus had written the written the commandmentcommandments on the s on the stones with stones with His finger. His finger.

Moses saw the Moses saw the golden calf and golden calf and the Israelites the Israelites dancing. Some dancing. Some had no clothes had no clothes on. on. Moses was Moses was

very angry very angry and threw the and threw the stones down. stones down. They broke. They broke.

How did Moses react when How did Moses react when he saw what the Israelites he saw what the Israelites had done? had done?

Let’s read Exodus 32:19Let’s read Exodus 32:19Why did he break the Why did he break the tablets of stone? tablets of stone?

He couldn’t share such He couldn’t share such sacred things with people sacred things with people who were not ready to who were not ready to receive them.receive them.

Moses threw Moses threw the golden calf the golden calf in the fire. He in the fire. He was angry at was angry at Aaron. Aaron.

Moses asked Aaron why Moses asked Aaron why he had helped the he had helped the Israelites to be wicked. Israelites to be wicked. Aaron said he did what Aaron said he did what the Israelites wanted him the Israelites wanted him to do.to do.

Why do you think they asked Why do you think they asked Aaron to make the golden calf? Aaron to make the golden calf?

Why do you think Aaron Why do you think Aaron agreed to do it?agreed to do it?

Whom did Aaron blame for his Whom did Aaron blame for his actions? actions?

Let’s read Exodus 32:22–24Let’s read Exodus 32:22–24What should we do instead of What should we do instead of blaming others when we do blaming others when we do something wrong?something wrong?

Moses asked Moses asked the righteous the righteous Israelites to Israelites to come to him. He come to him. He said they would said they would be blessed. be blessed.

He told them He told them the wicked the wicked Israelites must Israelites must die. die.

Jesus told Jesus told Moses to bring Moses to bring two new stones two new stones to the top of to the top of Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai.

Jesus again Jesus again wrote the Ten wrote the Ten CommandmentCommandments on them. s on them. Moses took the Moses took the commandments commandments down to the down to the people. people.

What did the What did the Lord have Moses Lord have Moses do after Moses do after Moses broke the first broke the first set of tablets? set of tablets?

Let’s read Let’s read Exodus 34:1, 28Exodus 34:1, 28

The Joseph Smith Translation of The Joseph Smith Translation of Deuteronomy 10:2 explains that Deuteronomy 10:2 explains that these later tablets had the Ten these later tablets had the Ten Commandments written on them, Commandments written on them, but they no longer contained the but they no longer contained the “words of the everlasting “words of the everlasting covenant of the holy priesthood.” covenant of the holy priesthood.”

Because of their wickedness, the Because of their wickedness, the children of Israel lost the children of Israel lost the opportunity to have the higher opportunity to have the higher spiritual laws.spiritual laws.

How did Moses show great How did Moses show great love for his people even love for his people even though they had done wrong? though they had done wrong?

Let’s read Exodus 32:30–32Let’s read Exodus 32:30–32How did the Lord show his How did the Lord show his love for the Israelites? love for the Israelites?

Joseph Smith Translation, Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 32:14; the Lord Exodus 32:14; the Lord promised to spare the promised to spare the Israelites if they would repent Israelites if they would repent of the evil they had done.of the evil they had done.

How would keeping How would keeping the Ten the Ten Commandments have Commandments have blessed the children blessed the children of Israel? of Israel?

How will keeping the How will keeping the Ten Commandments Ten Commandments bless us? bless us?

Why is it so important to Why is it so important to obey the commandments? obey the commandments?

I am going to put these wordstrips on I am going to put these wordstrips on opposite walls:opposite walls:

Loss of Freedom—Loss of Freedom—UnhappinessUnhappiness

Freedom—Happiness Freedom—Happiness Although Satan often makes it look Although Satan often makes it look

like fun to break the commandments, like fun to break the commandments, all the choices we make have all the choices we make have consequences. consequences.


When people follow Satan’s plan, When people follow Satan’s plan, at first it seems to give them more at first it seems to give them more freedom. But as they continue to freedom. But as they continue to make wrong choices, the make wrong choices, the consequences begin to bind them.consequences begin to bind them.



For example, if people lie For example, if people lie and cheat, they are not and cheat, they are not worthy to be in the worthy to be in the presence of God. presence of God.

People who choose to People who choose to keep the commandments keep the commandments may at first feel restricted. may at first feel restricted. But as they continue to But as they continue to make right choices, their make right choices, their lives begin to open up to lives begin to open up to greater freedoms. greater freedoms.

For instance, if For instance, if young people stay young people stay pure and morally pure and morally clean, later they will clean, later they will have the privilege have the privilege of going to the holy of going to the holy temple to receive all temple to receive all the blessings of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. and Jacob.


Each of you will get a slip of paper from Each of you will get a slip of paper from this bag. Depending on what is on your this bag. Depending on what is on your paper, stand by the appropriate paper, stand by the appropriate wordstrip. wordstrip.

Read the action out loud and tell what Read the action out loud and tell what the consequence might be and why it the consequence might be and why it

brings us brings us happiness and happiness and

freedomfreedom or or unhappiness unhappiness and loss of freedom.and loss of freedom.


1. Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!1. Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!In this there is safety; in this there is peace.In this there is safety; in this there is peace.He will send blessings;He will send blessings;He will send blessings.He will send blessings.Words of a prophet:Words of a prophet:Keep the commandments.Keep the commandments.In this there is safety and peace.In this there is safety and peace.

2. We are His children; we are His children,2. We are His children; we are His children,and we must be tested to show we are true.and we must be tested to show we are true.Hold to His promises;Hold to His promises;Hold to His promises,Hold to His promises,Heeding the prophets:Heeding the prophets:Keep the commandments.Keep the commandments.In this there is safety and peace.In this there is safety and peace.

Words and music: Barbara A. McConochie, b. 1940. © 1975 IRI. Obbligato by Barbara A. McConochie © 1989 IRI. Arr. by Darwin Wolford © 1986, 1989 Deseret Book Company. Used by permission. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.


I bear my I bear my testimony that testimony that because the Lord because the Lord loves us, he gives loves us, he gives us commandments. us commandments.

Obeying these Obeying these laws brings us laws brings us happiness. happiness.

Slide 1 painting is by Jean-Jacques Slide 1 painting is by Jean-Jacques Gailliard. Gailliard. Images and clipart are from Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, bing & lds.org, sugardoodle.net, bing & google images and Microsoft Office. google images and Microsoft Office. Hymn and lesson materials are from Hymn and lesson materials are from lds.org. The lesson and activities are lds.org. The lesson and activities are from the Primary 6 Old Testament from the Primary 6 Old Testament manual. The scripture story is from Old manual. The scripture story is from Old Testament Scripture Stories from Testament Scripture Stories from lds.org.lds.org.

No copyrighted materials were No copyrighted materials were knowingly used in this presentation. knowingly used in this presentation. Please do not use this presentation for Please do not use this presentation for commercial use.commercial use.

Documents

“Lesson 21: The Ten Commandments,” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),90