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

Week Overview

Feel the familiar pull of family joy and discord, faith and uncertainty, as ancient voices like Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, and Daniel echo through time. Notice the quiet power in Psalm 119:105, 140: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. … Therefore thy servant loveth it.” These writings, ancient yet alive, reveal God moving in lives much like our own, drawing hearts toward the Savior.

Key Scripture Moments

1. Manna falls from heaven: “Manna (Exodus 16:4, 11–15; John 6:35).” Here’s the remarkable moment when sustenance in the wilderness points to Jesus as “the bread of life.”

2. The Passover lamb selected: “The sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12:3–5; John 1:29).” Notice what happens next as this spotless offering foreshadows the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world.

3. Jehovah reveals His name: In Exodus 3:13–15; 6:3–5, God declares “I AM,” the name shocking Jewish leaders when Jesus echoes it in John 8:58–59, prompting them to stone Him.

4. All creation bears record: Moses 6:63 states, “All things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me”—a dramatic reveal linking every symbol to the Savior.

Hidden Connections

Surprising links illuminate Jesus as Jehovah. The brass serpent lifted up (Numbers 21:4–10; John 3:14) connects to healing faith, much like Jonah in the great fish (Jonah 1:4–17; Matthew 12:38–41) prefigures resurrection. These tie to restored truths: Enoch’s Zion (Moses 7:18–19), Abraham’s council vision (Abraham 3:22–28), and Melchizedek’s ministry (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40). President Dallin H. Oaks explains: “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” (Liahona, May 2023, 102). This solves modern disconnection by showing ancient “God” speaks as Christ.

Pattern Discovery

Recurring themes connect distant voices: prophets exercise faith, repent, covenant, and cling to the Savior’s promise. From Adam’s sacrifices to Abraham’s posterity, covenants form God’s “peculiar treasure” (Exodus 19:5). Nephi’s vision reveals plain truths restored (1 Nephi 13:21–29, 38–42), pairing Bible and Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 3:12). Symbols repeat—Manna to bread of life, lamb to Redeemer—bearing record across Moses to Joseph Smith.

Simple Questions

1. How does manna (Exodus 16:4, 11–15) reveal Jesus as the bread of life (John 6:35)?
2. Why did “I AM” in Exodus 3:13–15 provoke outrage when Jesus claimed it (John 8:58–59)?
3. In what ways do brass serpent and Jonah foreshadow the Savior?
4. How do restored accounts like Moses 7:18–19 make “plain and precious things” clear?
5. What covenant promises stand out in Exodus 19:5 for today?
6. How does focusing on Christ’s symbols build faith, per Moses 6:63?

One Big Idea

Jesus Christ is Jehovah, the Old Testament’s voice, restoring covenant bonds as God’s peculiar treasure (Exodus 19:5). Historically, plain truths lost from the Bible return through Joseph Smith—book of Moses (Genesis 1–6), Abraham, JST footnotes—showing Bible and Book of Mormon unite (1 Nephi 13:28; 2 Nephi 3:12). This transforms reading from intimidating to illuminating.

Living It

1. Scan verses for Christ-symbols like manna or lamb, noting personal parallels to daily bread or protection.
2. Discuss family promises mirroring baptism covenants (Mosiah 18:10, 13), strengthening home ties.
3. Point children to Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 or Psalm 23, drawing lines to the baby Jesus in ancient prophecy.

Faith Builder

Elder Dale G. Renlund urges: “remember and always focus on Jesus Christ” (Liahona, Nov. 2023, 98). President Dallin H. Oaks affirms Christ as Jehovah in Old Testament records (Liahona, May 2023, 102). See also President Russell M. Nelson’s “The Everlasting Covenant” (Liahona, October 2022, 4–11) for covenant insights.

These ancient symbols and restored covenants invite deeper faith in Jesus Christ as Jehovah, lighting paths through life’s uncertainties.