The Israelites journeyed from Egypt to Mount Sinai, where God wanted them to become His covenant people and obey His commandments. At Sinai, God instructed Moses to have the people obey His voice and keep His covenant. However, the Israelites grew impatient waiting for Moses' return and worshipped a golden calf. When Moses returned, he broke the original stone tablets containing God's law. God then instructed Moses to carve new stone tablets. The Joseph Smith Translation provides additional context that the priesthood was taken from the Israelites with the new tablets, as God's presence would no longer go with them for risk of destruction.

2. Exodus 18–20
“All That the Lord Hath Spoken We Will Do”

3. Beyond freedom
 The Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the foot of Mount Sinai was filled with miracles—undeniable
manifestations of the Lord’s matchless power, love, and mercy.
 However, the Lord had blessings in store for them that went beyond freeing them from Egypt
and satisfying their physical hunger and thirst.
 He wanted them to become His covenant people, His “peculiar treasure,” and a “holy nation”
(Exodus 19:5–6).
 Today, the blessings of this covenant extend beyond just one nation or people. God wants all of
His children to become His covenant people, to “obey [His] voice indeed, and keep [His]
covenant” (Exodus 19:5), for He shows His mercy “unto thousands of them that love [Him], and
keep [His] commandments” (Exodus 20:6).

4. We can help “bear the burden” of doing the
Lord’s work.
 Jethro gave Moses important counsel (see Exodus 18:13–26)
 imagine you are having a conversation with someone who feels that her or his Church callings, family
obligations, or other responsibilities are “too heavy” and that he or she will “wear away” (Exodus 18:18).
How might the counsel in Exodus 18:13–26 help?
 What additional advice could we share from our personal experiences?
 What characteristics did Jethro suggest Moses look for in those who would serve as “rulers” of
the people? (see Exodus 18:21).

5. Exodus 20:2–11
We should put the Lord first in our lives.
 What do the commandments teach us about putting God first in our
lives?
 What are things that we may be tempted to put before Him?
 “No other gods” President Spencer W. Kimball

6. “No other gods” President Spencer W. Kimball
President Spencer W. Kimball taught that there are parallels between the ancient worship of graven images and
the behavior of people today. He said:
“Idolatry is among the most serious of sins. …
“Modern idols or false gods can take such forms as clothes, homes, businesses, machines, automobiles,
pleasure boats, and numerous other material deflectors from the path to godhood. …
“Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters and titles can become idols. …
“Many people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first—and then find they ‘cannot afford’ to pay
tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of heaven and earth. …
“Many worship the hunt, the fishing trip, the vacation, the weekend picnics and outings. Others have as their
idols the games of sport, baseball, football, the bullfight, or golf. …
“Still another image men worship is that of power and prestige. … These gods of power, wealth, and influence
are most demanding and are quite as real as the golden calves of the children of Israel in the wilderness”
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 146–47).

7. Exodus 24; 31–34
“My Presence Shall Go with Thee”
 Exodus 31:12–17 We honor the Sabbath as a sign of our commitment to
the Lord.
 Have you ever had to explain to a family member or friend why they
treat Sundays differently from other days?
How have you been blessed by observance to the sabbath day?

8. The Sabbath is a sign.
President Russell M. Nelson explained:
“In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled
lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until
later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on
the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father
[see Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12, 20]. With that understanding, I no longer
needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or
not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself,
‘What sign do I want to give to God?’ That question made my choices
about the Sabbath day crystal clear” (“The Sabbath Is a
Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 130).

9. Exodus 32; 34:1–17
Sin is turning away from God, but He offers a way back.
 Exodus 32, Aaron makes a golden calf, which Israel worships—Moses serves as a
mediator between God and rebellious Israel—Moses breaks the tablets of stone—The
Levites slay about 3,000 rebels—Moses pleads and intercedes for the people.
 Consider the role of Israelites who grew impatient waiting for Moses to
return and decided to make a golden idol.
What feelings might have led them to idol worship?
What can we do to help others or ourselves when they/us might be
struggling to keep our/their covenants?

10. Idols in our life
 Modern False Idols (VIDEO) Book of Mormon Central
 Parallels between the golden calf and the Fall (VIDEO) Book of Mormon
Central

11. What was the difference between the two
sets of stone tables Moses made?
 When Moses came down from the mountain, he brought the law written on stone tables (Tablets)
 After finding that the Israelites had broken their covenant, Moses broke the tables (see Exodus
31:18; 32:19).
 Later, God commanded Moses to make another set of stone tables and take them back to the
mountain (see Exodus 34:1–4). Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 34:1–2
 Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 34:1–2 (in the Bible appendix)

12. JST, Exodus 34:1–2, 14. Compare Exodus 34:1–2, 14; D&C 84:21–26
1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone, like unto the first, and I will
write upon them also, the words of the law, according as they were written at the first on the tables
which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood out of
their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my
presence shall not go up in their midst, lest I destroy them.
2 But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal
commandment; for I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my presence, into my
rest, in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded thee, and be ready in the
morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me, in the top
of the mount.
Jehovah is one name by which the Old Testament people know the Lord Jesus Christ.
14 For thou shalt worship no other god; for the Lord, whose name is Jehovah, is a jealous God.