Come, Follow Me 2026: Week 1: Introduction to the Old Testament (December 29–January 4)

Doctrinal Foundation

From the perspective of ancient writers like the psalmist, the Old Testament emerges as a lamp guiding through unfamiliar terrain: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. … Therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:105, 140). Yet why does an ancient text stir both eagerness and fear? From God's view, these writings reveal covenant seekers as His “peculiar treasure” (Exodus 19:5), bearing record of the Savior through symbols like manna, lamb, serpent, and Jonah. Consider the mystery: Why did Jesus' declaration “Before Abraham was, I am” provoke stoning (John 8:58–59)? Exodus 3:13–15 and 6:3–5 unveil Jehovah's sacred name, resolving that Jesus Christ is Jehovah in the Old Testament. President Dallin H. Oaks clarifies: “The Father introduced His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer and gave us the command to ‘hear Him.’ From this direction we conclude that the scriptural records of words spoken by ‘God’ or the ‘Lord’ are almost always the words of Jehovah, our risen Lord, Jesus Christ” (“The Teachings of Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 102). A deeper layer appears in Nephi's vision: plain and precious truths lost from the Bible find restoration (1 Nephi 13:21–29, 38–42), making Bible and Book of Mormon partners (2 Nephi 3:12). These perspectives transform intimidation into invitation, centering covenants that bind humanity to divinity.

Scripture Deep Dive

Ascend through six passages, each step unveiling escalating connections to the Savior.

Step 1: Symbols as witnesses. “All things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me” (Moses 6:63). Manna foreshadows: “I am the bread of life” (Exodus 16:4, 11–15; John 6:35).

Step 2: Sacrificial foreshadowing. The lamb without blemish points forward (Exodus 12:3–5; John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God”).

Step 3: Healing typology. The brass serpent lifts eyes to salvation (Numbers 21:4–10; John 3:14).

Step 4: Resurrection pattern. Jonah's three days in the fish mirrors the Savior (Jonah 1:4–17; Matthew 12:38–41).

Step 5: Identity revelation. Jehovah declares His name (Exodus 3:13–15; 6:3–5), echoed in John 8:58–59, confirming Jesus as the great I AM.

Step 6: Restoration pinnacle. Plain and precious accounts restore: Enoch’s Zion (Moses 7:18–19), premortal council (Abraham 3:22–28), Melchizedek’s ministry (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40). This staircase reveals an ancient web transformed by modern keys, where symbols ascend to covenant identity.

Historical Context

The Old Testament ranks among the world's oldest writings, from an ancient culture seeming foreign—yet populated by Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, and Daniel facing family joy, discord, faith, uncertainty, successes, and failures. These covenant makers repented, experienced the Spirit, and clung to the Savior's promise amid strange customs. Time collapses when Joseph Smith's inspired translation restores Genesis 1–6 via the book of Moses, unveils Abraham's papyri revelations, and embeds Joseph Smith Translation passages in footnotes and appendices. Archaeological echoes in Egyptian papyri affirm divine preservation, aligning ancient discord with modern lives: God moves identically, seeking His peculiar treasure through covenants (Exodus 19:5). This backdrop resolves the mystery of foreignness—familiar gospel threads weave through millennia.

Pattern Recognition Web

Symbols recur across dispensations: manna to John 6:35, lamb to Revelation's Lamb, serpent to Alma's word of God, Jonah to 3 Nephi's resurrection. Covenants pattern from Adam's sacrifices to Abraham's posterity, echoing in Mosiah 18:10, 13 baptismal promises and temple vows. Jehovah's voice spans Moses 6:63 (“all things … bear record of me”) to 1 Nephi 13's restorations, linking Old Testament losses to Book of Mormon's plainness (2 Nephi 3:12). Generational ties emerge: ancient prophets' faith mirrors pioneer Zion-building (Moses 7:18–19) and today's temple work. This web suggests prophetic patterns where Old Testament foreshadows converge in the Restoration.

Discussion Framework

1. What most people miss: How does viewing the Old Testament through covenant lenses (Exodus 19:5) shift intimidation to excitement?
2. Why do manna, lamb, serpent, and Jonah evoke Jesus Christ (John 6:35; 1:29; 3:14; Matthew 12:38–41)?
3. What apparent contradiction arises in Jehovah's name (Exodus 3:13–15), and how does John 8:58 resolve it?
4. From Nephi's view, why were plain and precious things removed (1 Nephi 13:21–29)?
5. How do restored accounts like Abraham 3:22–28 transform Genesis?
6. What role do Bible and Book of Mormon play together (2 Nephi 3:12)?
7. In what ways do ancient figures' failures mirror personal covenant paths?
8. How might Psalm 119:105 illuminate daily choices?
9. Why emphasize Jesus as Jehovah for deeper faith?
10. What “special kind of love and mercy” flows from covenant keeping, as highlighted in prophetic counsel?

Gospel Connections

Covenants anchor the Plan of Salvation: premortal council (Abraham 3:22–28) precedes Abrahamic promises, paralleling baptism (Mosiah 18:10, 13) and temple sealings as steps toward Zion (Moses 7:18–19). Symbols testify across works—John's Gospel fulfills Old Testament types, Moses 6:63 declares universal witness, Jeremiah 31:31–34 prophesies inward law. Restoration mends losses (1 Nephi 13:38–42), revealing Savior-centered progression from fall to exaltation.

Teaching Moments

1. Display Adam and Eve Offering Sacrifices or The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth; trace baby Jesus in Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 for an aha on hidden symbols.
2. Use nicknames analogy: Like a parent known differently at home or work, reveal Jehovah's names (Exodus 6:3; Joseph Smith Translation footnote), sparking wonder at Christ's identity.
3. Sing “Seek the Lord Early” (Children’s Songbook, 108) or “When I Am Baptized” (103); link to Psalm 23 or Isaiah 53:3–9, uncovering Atonement echoes.
4. Share activity page on covenants; contrast family promises with God's (Mosiah 18:10), igniting excitement for temple covenants.

Personal Reflection

• Where has the Old Testament felt foreign, yet revealed familiar faith moments like ancient prophets'?
• Which symbol (manna, lamb, serpent, Jonah) most reflects personal encounters with the Savior?
• How do restored truths like Enoch’s Zion reshape views of personal covenants?
• In what daily paths does “Thy word” act as a lamp (Psalm 119:105)?
• What patterns from Abraham's council emerge in life's uncertainties?

Prophetic Echoes

Elder Dale G. Renlund urges: “remember and always focus on Jesus Christ” (Liahona, Nov. 2023, 98), mirroring Old Testament symbols. President Dallin H. Oaks affirms Jehovah's voice as Christ's (Liahona, May 2023, 102), echoing Exodus revelations. Covenants offer “special kind of love and mercy” from God (see “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, October 2022, 4–11), paralleling Exodus 19:5's peculiar treasure. See also Elder Renlund’s “Jesus Christ Is the Treasure”; President Oaks’ “The Teachings of Jesus Christ.”

These covenant symbols invite deeper recognition of Jesus Christ as Jehovah in personal scripture journeys.