Advanced Scholarly Study Guide: Come, Follow Me 2026 Old Testament

Week 1: Introduction to the Old Testament (December 29–January 4)

Doctrinal Architecture: Three-Lens Analysis

The introductory principles of the Old Testament reveal covenantal patterns that witness of Jesus Christ across dispensations. Through a Three-Lens Analysis:

• Ancient Context: The Old Testament emerges from an ancient culture presenting symbols such as manna (Exodus 16:4, 11–15), the sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12:3–5), the brass serpent (Numbers 21:4–10), and Jonah (Jonah 1:4–17), which bear record of divine realities amid familial joys, discords, faith, and repentance (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Introduction to the Old Testament”).

• Modern Application: These symbols invite focus on Jesus Christ, as Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “remember and always focus on Jesus Christ” (Liahona, Nov. 2023, 98). Restoration texts like the book of Moses and Joseph Smith Translation restore “plain and precious things” (1 Nephi 13:21–29, 38–42), illuminating covenant relationships (Exodus 19:5).

• Eternal Principle: All things “have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me” (Moses 6:63), establishing Jesus Christ as Jehovah, whose words as “God” or “Lord” form the scriptural record (President Dallin H. Oaks, “The Teachings of Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 102).

This architecture builds anticipation for how ancient symbols prefigure eternal covenants.

Exegetical Analysis: Textual Archaeology

Delving into 8 key passages uncovers layered meanings through prophetic commentary and symbolic typology:

1. Psalm 119:105, 140: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. … Therefore thy servant loveth it.” Ancient psalmic devotion equates scripture with divine guidance, typifying Christ as light amid ancient uncertainties.

2. Exodus 16:4, 11–15 (Manna): Heavenly provision foreshadows “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), revealing sustenance through faith.

3. Exodus 12:3–5 (Sacrificial Lamb): Unblemished offering symbolizes “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), central to Passover typology.

4. Numbers 21:4–10 (Brass Serpent): Healing gaze parallels lifted Son of Man (John 3:14), enacting faith's redemptive arc.

5. Jonah 1:4–17: Three-day entombment prefigures resurrection (Matthew 12:38–41), embodying deliverance.

6. Exodus 3:13–15; 6:3–5: “I AM” revelation identifies Jehovah, echoed in John 8:58–59, affirming pre-mortal identity.

7. Exodus 19:5: God seeks a “peculiar treasure” by covenant, framing the Old Testament as covenant narrative.

8. 1 Nephi 13:21–29, 38–42: Loss and restoration of “plain and precious things” via latter-day scripture, including Moses 7:18–19 (Enoch’s Zion), Abraham 3:22–28 (council in heaven), and Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40 (Melchizedek).

These layers, via typological analysis, reveal Christ-centered fulfillment.

Historical & Cultural Matrix

The Old Testament arises from ancient Near Eastern contexts of oral traditions, familial covenants, and symbolic rituals, foreign yet resonant with universal experiences of faith and failure. Temporal bridges connect this matrix to modern revelation: ancient manna mirrors daily reliance on Christ (John 6:48); Passover lambs anticipate Atonement; serpents and Jonah enact prophetic fulfillment arcs. Covenantal promises to Abraham's posterity (Exodus 19:5) parallel restoration covenants, as Nephi foresaw Bible-Book of Mormon mutuality (2 Nephi 3:12). Joseph Smith's restorations—Enoch’s Zion, premortal councils, Melchizedek’s ministry—bridge ancient voids, illuminating dispensational parallels.

Cross-Reference Web Matrix

SCHOLARLY CROSS-REFERENCE WEB MATRIX
Doctrinal Threads Across Dispensations

Primary Pattern: The Old Testament testifies of Jesus Christ as Jehovah through symbols and covenants
├─ Ancient Foundations (Genesis through Malachi)
│ ├─ Exodus 16:4, 11–15: "Manna" as heavenly bread
│ ├─ Exodus 12:3–5: "Sacrificial lamb" without blemish
│ └─ Numbers 21:4–10; Jonah 1:4–17: Types of lifting and deliverance pointing to Christ
│
├─ Meridian Fulfillment (New Testament parallels)
│ ├─ John 6:35: “I am the bread of life”
│ ├─ John 1:29: “Behold the Lamb of God”
│ └─ John 3:14; Matthew 12:38–41: Fulfillment in Atonement and Resurrection
│
├─ Restoration Revelation (D&C/Pearl of Great Price)
│ ├─ Moses 6:63: “All things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me”
│ ├─ 1 Nephi 13:21–29, 38–42: Restoration of “plain and precious things”
│ └─ Examples: Moses 7:18–19 (Zion); Abraham 3:22–28 (council); JST Genesis 14:25–40 (Melchizedek)
│
└─ Living Prophets (From bundle sources only)
├─ President Dallin H. Oaks, “The Teachings of Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 102: “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”
├─ Elder Dale G. Renlund, “Jesus Christ Is the Treasure,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 98: “remember and always focus on Jesus Christ”
└─ See also President Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant” (Liahona, October 2022, 4–11) for covenantal continuity

Theological Discussion Points: Socratic Progression

1. What observations emerge from Psalm 119:105 regarding scripture's role in ancient lives?
2. How do Exodus symbols (manna, lamb) reveal typological layers?
3. In what ways does Numbers 21:4–10 illustrate faith's gaze?
4. Why did “I AM” (Exodus 3:13–15) provoke John 8:58–59?
5. How does 1 Nephi 13 explain textual losses?
6. What insights arise from restoration accounts like Moses 7:18–19?
7. How does Exodus 19:5 define covenant identity?
8. What dispensational parallels connect Jonah to Resurrection?
9. How does Oaks's teaching on Jehovah unify scriptures?
10. What applications follow from Renlund's focus on Christ?
11. How do covenants transform ancient promises into personal reality?
12. What covenantal living emerges from studying these patterns?

Modern Prophetic Synthesis

Living prophets affirm continuity: President Dallin H. Oaks identifies Jehovah's voice in Old Testament records (“The Teachings of Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 102). Elder Dale G. Renlund urges focus on Christ for nourishment (Liahona, Nov. 2023, 98). Then and Now: Ancient symbols (Exodus 12:3–5) fulfill in meridian gospel (John 1:29); restorations (Abraham 3:22–28) and covenants (see Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant”) apply today, weaving prophetic fulfillment arcs.

Seminary & Institute Integration

Seminary insights emphasize Christ as Jehovah (Exodus 6:3, JST footnote), with patterns of symbols (Guide to the Scriptures, “Types or Symbols of Christ”) revealing deeper prefigurations for advanced students, aligning with bundle's typological focus.

Teaching Applications

Employ reverent discovery: Use images like Adam and Eve Offering Sacrifices or The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth to trace symbols (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:3–9). For children, compare names (Exodus 6:3) or baptism covenants (Mosiah 18:10, 13). In classes, build suspense via “Three-Lens Analysis,” progressing to matrix discussions.

Personal Study Pathways

• Foundational: Read symbols (Exodus 16; 12) with John parallels.
• Intermediate: Explore 1 Nephi 13; restorations (Moses 7).
• Advanced: Map covenants (Exodus 19:5; Jeremiah 31:31–34) to Nelson's message.
  Progressive markers: Journal typologies weekly.

Research Extensions

Consult Guide to the Scriptures (“Jesus Christ,” “Types or Symbols of Christ”); Joseph Smith Translation appendix; Gospel Library “Book of Abraham.” Methodology: Trace dispensational threads using bundle cross-references, verifying via Liahona archives.

These introductory covenantal patterns, restored through plain and precious truths, invite deeper exploration of divine testimony spanning dispensations.