Read the latest from Emily's “Today in the Bloggernacle” feature.

Like an overeager Sunday School student, the Bloggernacle begins preparing for and studying the next year's Gospel Doctrine curriculum months in advance. So even though most church members do not begin the Old Testament curriculum in Sunday School until January 3, 2010, the Bloggernacle already offers resources, study helps, discussions and even a guide to getting (or giving!) a free Bible.

So get your bookmark tool ready...

First you need a Bible. You may say "A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible," (sorry, couldn't resist) but do you have the web edition? Or in audio format? Or for your family, do you have the Old Testament Stories? You can even Google your handheld device or phone's name and the LDS scriptures, and likely find a Bible app, perfect for browsing, marking, note-taking and referencing in class.

If you haven't checked out the new Old Testament Visual Resource DVDs, I have three words for you: Christmas is coming. And for information on how to get a free print version (available in various languages) see my Techie Tip below.



Rachel Bruner recently highlighted the wonderful The Holy Bible topic page on lds.org, and explained that she is "very excited about this and have already begun my study by reading the Books of Moses and Abraham in The Pearl of Great Price, which is what led me to create a chart of the Lineage of Adam. Clicking in you can find other great lineage charts she has produced. Nice!

Why is the study of the Bible important to LDS members? "Is the Old Testament 'Old,' and thus not as relevant as other scriptures?" So asks (and refutes) this blogger who is beginning a series titled  "Time to Study the Old Testament.....Again."

He goes straight to the Old Testament Gospel Doctrine's Teacher's Manual for the answer: "The Old Testament is an account of God's dealings with his covenant people from the time of the Creation to a few hundred years before the Savior's birth. The Old Testament provides powerful examples of faith and obedience. It also shows the consequences of forgetting, disobeying, or opposing God. Its prophecies bear witness of the Messiah's birth, redeeming sacrifice, second coming, and millennial reign."

Looking for a book to supplement your Old Testament study? By Common Consent has recently reviewed "Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament." Kevin Barney explains "The book is a large format coffee table book. The main text walks the reader through the OT itself, offering lots of historical context from the contemporary ancient Near East along the way. Every page features either pictures or sidebars, or both, explaining particular issues, texts and concerns. I really like this format, as the text is sufficiently broken up that it is not overwhelming to the casual reader." He then proceeds to take a page-by-page look at some of the sidebars and pictures featured throughout.

The FAIR Blog just reviewed the same book, and explained that "Large color pictures, illustrations (some commissioned for this volume), maps, sidebars, charts and clay tablets or papyri of ancient texts liberally sprinkle nearly every page. This has several effects.

"First, such variety easily holds the interest of the average reader, who might not otherwise read a purely textual book about the Old Testament, typically (but wrongly) held to be a dry subject.

"Second, such visual aids make the text come alive and help readers understand that the Old Testament is more than words on paper or a theological sourcebook.

"Third, the often striking foreignness of these visuals help readers understand that the Old Testament existed within a cultural and historical context that is not our own, and that to fully understand it, we need to read it within that context." Click for more of their detailed review.

Or you can take a look at Val Greenwood's Old Testament Blog, where he outlines some of his biblical insights gathered in writing How Often Would I Have Gathered You.

Now to study other amazing posts from this last week in the Bloggernacle:

Power pick: "The birth of my first child is where God finally spoke to me in a way that was impossible not to hear....Years of searching fell away as I looked in awe and wonder at my first child, and I knew, I knew with all my heart and soul, that there was a God, and that he was right there with me." This is just a taste of the testimony-bearing post by Tracy M. titled "Pillars of My Faith."

Forgotten gem: Hearkening back to October 2007, you find a scholarly list of "Five Recommended Books for Understanding the Old Testament." I just love though, how it's really "Five or so" with the "so" being ten. However, I hope that his lament about finding scholarly Old Testament books from LDS authors has now been resolved.

Techie tip: I loved Rachel Bruner's About.com page outlining how exactly to "Get a Free Bible." First, she outlines five steps:

1. Visit www.mormon.org
2. Scroll down to the lower half of the screen and click on "Free Media"
3. Find the free Bible listed among the Church's free media and click on "Request a Copy"
4. Select your country and enter your address
5. Submit your request for your free Bible!

And then she provides additional tips. So like I said above, if you need one (or better yet, want to use one for a missionary opportunity).