Lesson 144

Ezekiel 37

“Lesson 144: Ezekiel 37,” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)


Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Be ready to take notes and also consider marking scriptures to help you preserve personal insights and lessons you may learn.

Begin your study with prayer.

We are fortunate in our day to have not only the Bible but also the Book of Mormon to teach us about the plan of our Father in Heaven. Sometimes people wonder why it is important to have the Book of Mormon when we already have the Bible.

video icon Listen to President Russell M. Nelson as he addresses this question.

An Analogy

old truck

When the car in this picture was new, it had shiny paint and comfortable seats and it was mechanically sound. Most likely, the person who bought this car tried to take good care of it.

Why do you think the car ended up looking like this? What would it take to make the car look and function like new again?

How might this old car represent what can happen to us physically or spiritually over time?

As you study Ezekiel 37, look for doctrine and principles that can help you understand how God can restore us physically and spiritually.

A Vision from the Lord

youth reading scriptures

Read Ezekiel 37:1–6, looking for what the Lord taught Ezekiel through a vision.

Quiz 1

  1. What did Ezekiel see in the vision?

    1. Worlds without number

    2. A valley filled with bones

    3. The cedars of Lebanon

  2. How did Ezekiel describe what he saw?

    1. He said they were extremely dry (had been dead a long time).

    2. He said they were praising the Lord.

    3. He said they were brilliantly white.

  3. What question did the Lord ask Ezekiel as recorded in verse 3?

    1. “Knowest thou the meaning of the vision?”

    2. “Believest thou in the things that I shall tell thee?”

    3. “Can these bones live?”

  4. What did the Lord ask Ezekiel to do?

    1. Prophesy that the Lord would bring them back to life

    2. Count them and name them

    3. Warn the people of their destruction

Symbolism in Ezekiel’s Vision

youth studying scriptures

Read Ezekiel 37:7–10, looking for what happened to the bones Ezekiel saw.

What do you think the events in Ezekiel’s vision could symbolize?

The House of Israel

scriptures

The events Ezekiel saw symbolize the resurrection of many people. As recorded in Ezekiel 37:11, the Lord explained that the dry bones represent the house of Israel. The bones receiving new life could also symbolize the house of Israel being restored to a new spiritual life.

Read Ezekiel 37:12–14, looking for what the Lord said He would do for the house of Israel.

What truths can you identify from Ezekiel’s vision about the house of Israel?

A New Spiritual Life

old truck and restored truck

One truth we can learn from Ezekiel’s vision is that although Israel fell into apostasy, God promised that He would restore His people to spiritual life and gather them to their own land.

Just as the Lord can restore Israel to spiritual life through the Restoration of the gospel, He can do the same thing for other individuals who are spiritually dead. As we turn to the Lord and sincerely repent, He can restore us to a new spiritual life. As we repent and change, the Lord “shall put [His] spirit in [us], and [we] shall live” (Ezekiel 37:14).

Look at the image of the car that had fallen into disrepair, and then look at the image of the same car after it has been completely restored. How does this represent the types of spiritual changes described in Ezekiel 37:14?

Two Sticks

youth studying scriptures

After showing Ezekiel the vision of the dry bones, the Lord taught Ezekiel about the tribes of Judah and Ephraim using two sticks.

When the twelve tribes of Israel were divided into two kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom was ruled by the tribe of Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom was ruled by the tribe of Judah. When all of the Lord’s people receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, the twelve tribes will be reunited.

Read Ezekiel 37:15–17, looking for what the Lord taught Ezekiel using two sticks. Ezekiel 37:15–17 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them more easily.

Stick of Judah and Stick of Joseph

scroll

In addition to representing the tribes of Judah and Joseph, the “sticks” mentioned in Ezekiel 37:15–17 also represent written records. The word sticks in this context refers to “wooden writing tablets [or scrolls that] were in common use in Babylon in Ezekiel’s day” (verse 16, footnote a; see also Boyd K. Packer, “Scriptures,” Ensign, Nov. 1982, 51).

The stick of Judah, or the Bible, is the record that was preserved primarily through the Jews, many of whom were of the tribe of Judah. The stick of Joseph, or the Book of Mormon, is the record that Lehi and his descendants kept. Many of those who kept the records now contained in the Book of Mormon were descendants of Joseph, who was Judah’s brother. Both Judah and Joseph were sons of Jacob.

writing icon 1. What do you think it means that the two “sticks,” or books of scripture, “shall become one in thine hand” (verse 17)?

The Bible and the Book of Mormon Together

Bible and Book of Mormon

Read 1 Nephi 13:40, looking for what the Book of Mormon, described in this verse as part of the “last records,” and the Bible, described as “the first [records],” together would make known among the people.

According to Ezekiel 37:15–17 and 1 Nephi 13:40, what is the purpose of bringing together the Bible and the Book of Mormon?

Two Witnesses

Savior

From Ezekiel 37:15–17 and 1 Nephi 13:40 we can learn that the Bible and the Book of Mormon come together as witnesses that Jesus Christ is our Savior.

Read 2 Nephi 3:12, looking for how the Book of Mormon and the Bible are united. The phrase “the fruit of thy loins” in this verse refers to the descendants of Joseph, which includes Lehi and his descendants.

writing icon 2. Answer the following questions:

  • According to 2 Nephi 3:12, how are the Book of Mormon and the Bible united?

  • How have you or someone you know been blessed by having both the Bible and Book of Mormon?

A Testimony of Jesus Christ

Savior

writing icon 3. Answer one of the following questions:

  • What are some ways you can use both the Book of Mormon and the Bible to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior?

  • How has studying both the Bible and the Book of Mormon helped you to personally come to know and love Jesus Christ?

The Gathering of Israel

How has your life been blessed because you are part of those of the house of Israel who have been gathered and restored to the knowledge of Jesus Christ’s gospel? How will all members of the house of Israel be blessed as they are gathered again one day?

In Ezekiel 37:18–28 we learn that all the tribes of Israel will be united as one people. The reunited house of Israel will be led by “one king” (verse 22) and “one shepherd” (verse 24)—Jehovah. In these verses we learn that the Lord promised He would renew His covenant with the house of Israel and sanctify them. The Book of Mormon plays an important role in the gathering of Israel.

Read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson, looking for what He taught about the role of the Book of Mormon in the gathering of Israel.

Russell M. Nelson

“The Book of Mormon is central to this work. It declares the doctrine of the gathering. It causes people to learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel, and to join His Church. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur [see Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith (1985), 554]” (Russell M Nelson, “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 80).

According to President Nelson, how does the Book of Mormon help to gather Israel?

Blessings of Scripture

youth writing in journal

By studying both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, you will be prepared to share and defend your testimony of Jesus Christ.

Consider what you will do to use both the Book of Mormon and the Bible to strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ.

Be sure to act on any promptings you may receive from the Holy Ghost.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) b; (2) a; (3) c; (4) a

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