The young prophet Nephi gave us a substantial key to understanding the scriptures. Note how subtly he teaches us through a ‘chiasmas’ (an order of words listed in one direction to a center thought and then listed in the other direction in reverse order).

1. learning of my father 2. highly favored of the Lord 2. knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God 1. learning of the Jews

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. (1 Nephi 1:1-2)

The "center point" of his instruction is the gift he acknowledges, the knowledge of "mysteries". A synonym for "mysteries" is the "subtle understanding" of God’s word. This is available through the "Gift of the Holy Ghost." |

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)

The center point is ‘sandwiched’ by "learning of my father’ and ‘learning of the Jews’. This material suggests some ‘learning of the Jews’ to add insight to the study of the same religion and scriptures that Nephi brought from Israel. Other Jewish insights may simply help Latter-day Saints better understand Judah and thereby bring our two families closer together. It is necessary for the teacher and the student to relate and coordinate this information with the material provided in their respective lesson manuals.

The basis of Jewish learning is based on the "Torah," that is the first five books of the "Old Testament."

"The Bible is holy to Jews because it represents the Word of God. This is particularly true of the Torah which is, so to speak, God's direct statement. The halakhah, or Jewish law, which is the authoritative guide for a Jew's life, is mainly based on the Torah, so obviously study of the Torah as well as the rest of the Bible is one of the prime religious duties.

The custom of reading the Torah publicly is very, very ancient --- originating with Ezra in the fifth-fourth centuries B.C.E. At some later date a reading from the Nevi'im was added; this corresponding passage from the Prophets is known as the Haftorah." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The Latter-day Saint use of the "Pearl of Great Price" is the LDS Haftorah. Literally it is the reading of the Nevi'im, the "Prophets," with their explanations and heavenly insights.