The Old Testament is the
foundation of much that is best in our Christian civilization.
A. Christ knew it thoroughly and
quoted it frequently.
B. It is referred to with
appreciation throughout the New Testament.
C. Christianity includes the
finest in the Old Testament, as is evident from the retention of the Old
Testament as part of the Christian Bible.
D. Latter-day Saints, especially through
the Book of Mormon and modern revelation, having additional and strong ties
with both the Old Testament and the house of Israel.
E. Much of our moral legal code
has come to us through the Old Testament law.
F. The Old Testament concept of obedience
to law, which was encouraged in Western Civilization, helped to lay the
foundation for the rise of both experimental science and modern industry, both of
which are based on a type of obedience to principle and to law.
G. Much of our worship and great
music is inspired of the Psalms and the Prophets. (Oratorios, such as Handel’s Messiah
and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, are based essentially on Old Testament
texts.)
H. The very language of the Bible
has played a large role in the development of modern languages and literature
among the common peoples. (High German, for example, received great impetus
through Martin Luther’s fine translation of the Bible into German.) The King
James Bible translation of 1611 has affected the English language tremendously and
for good. (Lowell L. Bennion, “Lesson One: Teaching Helps,” in Roy A. Welker, Spiritual
Values of the Old Testament: M Man-Gleaner Course of Study 1961-62 [Salt
Lake City: L.D.S. Department of Education, 1961], 13-14)