followHIM Podcast Summary

Episode: Introduction to the Old Testament Part 1
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Joshua Sears
Date: December 24, 2025

Overview

This episode kicks off the new year’s study of the Old Testament for the Come, Follow Me course in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway are joined by Dr. Joshua Sears, an Old Testament scholar, to provide context, encouragement, and practical strategies for approaching the ancient text. The conversation centers on how the Old Testament testifies of Jesus Christ, addresses concerns about its complexity, highlights Restoration scripture, and discusses the value of modern translations and scholarly tools.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value and Challenge of Studying the Old Testament

(Timestamp: 00:54 – 07:48)

• Why Study the Old Testament?

  • Hosts and guest share their experiences about returning to Old Testament study, noting how understanding one book of scripture enriches understanding of others:
    • “If you really want to understand the Book of Mormon, you stay with us this year in the Old Testament all the way through to Malachi.” — Hank Smith (00:54)
  • Importance of studying in cycles, recognizing patterns, and deepening personal faith.

• Approaching the Ancient Text

  • Acknowledging feelings of excitement, uncertainty, and intimidation.
  • The Old Testament can seem “foreign and sometimes strange or even uncomfortable”—yet it resonates with universal human and spiritual experiences.
  • The stories of Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, Daniel, etc., reflect both ancient and relatable life challenges and growth.

2. How the Old Testament Testifies of Jesus Christ

(Timestamp: 07:48 – 16:43)

• Types, Shadows, and Prophecies

  • Dr. Sears clarifies explicit Messianic prophecies are rare, especially compared to the Book of Mormon, but types and shadows are abundant.
    • Types: “A type is something that represents the characteristics, something that’s typical about something else…” — Dr. Joshua Sears (12:35)
    • Shadows: Symbols and foreshadowings of Christ (e.g., manna, sacrificial lamb, brass serpent, Jonah).

• Interpreting Through a Christian Lens

  • Most “Christ-centered” readings are made clear through New Testament or Restoration scripture connections.
  • Recognizing the value of reading stories the way Jewish readers approach them, and appreciating multiple layers of interpretation.
    • “So many of the stories in here can be read in more than one way… I love that there’s the multiple layers and angles and ways to appreciate these stories.” — Dr. Sears (16:10)

3. Jesus Christ as Jehovah in the Old Testament

(Timestamp: 19:36 – 38:36)

• Doctrinal Foundation

  • LDS teaching: Jehovah of the Old Testament is the pre-mortal Jesus Christ.
    • “[President Oaks taught,] …the scriptural records of words spoken by God or the Lord are almost always the words of Jehovah, our risen Lord Jesus Christ.” — Dr. Josh Sears (21:23)
  • Importance of recognizing “LORD” in small capital letters as Jehovah in the KJV.

• Not Limiting Our View to Prophecies About Jesus

  • The Old Testament is filled with passages where Jehovah (Jesus Christ) is actively interacting with His people—not just future prophecies of His mortal ministry.
  • By focusing solely on “prophecies of Jesus,” we miss the richer picture of who He is.
    • “If we’re so focused on just the Gospels for our understanding of who Jesus is and what he’s like and what he does, we are going to miss a much bigger picture that we can get when we see him in his Old Testament role.” — Dr. Josh Sears (30:00/00:02)

4. Reading Through Different Lenses: Jewish and Christian

(Timestamp: 13:35 – 16:43, 31:16 – 34:42)

• Why Jews Don’t See Jesus in the Hebrew Bible

  • Dr. Sears: Christians read the Old Testament with lenses shaped by the New Testament; Jews read it in its own context, leading to different interpretations.

• Layered Fulfillments

  • Example of Isaiah 7:14 (“a virgin shall conceive”): Context shows multiple fulfillments.
    • “There are multiple, sometimes fulfillments of things that Isaiah says. But then Matthew’s gonna grab that and say, here’s a later, greater fulfillment…” — John Bytheway (32:42)

• Synergy of Context and Later Revelation

  • Understanding the ancient context and how later scripture applies the passage leads to deeper insight.
    • “The better you understand the message of Isaiah 7, the better you’re going to understand how Matthew is using that verse.” — Dr. Sears (34:01)

5. Wrestling with Harsh Passages and Judgments

(Timestamp: 38:13 – 43:45)

• God’s Roles as Both Tender and Just
  • Sometimes Jehovah commands or says seemingly harsh things; recognizing context and audience (as Enos and Jacob discuss in the Book of Mormon).
  • “No one verse and no one quote captures the full nature and scope of God. So we’re going to find verses on a long spectrum from one extreme to the other to describe Him in different ways.” — Dr. Sears (43:45)
  • Guidance: Look to modern prophets and general conference talks for balance and perspective.

6. The Role of Restoration Scripture & Joseph Smith Translation (JST)

(Timestamp: 50:41 – 64:22)

• Plain and Precious Things Restored

  • Explores 1 Nephi 13:21-42 and how Restoration scriptures (Book of Mormon, JST, Pearl of Great Price) help recover lost truths and provide context.
    • “As Latter Day Saints, this really is going to be one of our great blessings this year: to read the Old Testament not just by itself, but in conjunction with the Restoration.” — Dr. Sears (56:28)
  • Restoration scripture adds depth to topics like temples, covenants, and context.

• How to View Joseph Smith Translation

  • The JST doesn’t only “restore” original text—sometimes it adds commentary, clarification, or new revelation.
    • “…In other places, Joseph [Smith] may be giving Latter-day Saint commentary on the Bible…” — Dr. Sears (59:22)
    • “We want to say, well, which one’s right? … The Lord might say, I like both.” — Hank Smith (61:57)

• Prophets Provide Dynamic, Not Static, Scripture

  • The words of ancient and modern prophets can complement each other, and sometimes a passage is rendered differently for a new purpose or audience.

7. Using Modern Tools & Other Bible Translations

(Timestamp: 45:20 – 49:59)

• Approaching the Text When You Don’t Know Hebrew

  • Don’t let translation issues become a stumbling block; focus on what leads you closer to God.
  • Use modern or children’s translations for clarity.
    • “If you want to read a plain English Version and then go back to King James because it’s beautiful… Go ahead and do that for your own understanding.” — John Bytheway (47:24)

• Popular Translations and Church Leaders’ Examples

  • Bible Hub, reading-level guides, and modern translations recommended.
  • “Our leaders definitely see value in looking at those other modern translations.” — Hank Smith (49:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Finding Christ in the Old Testament:

  • “If we’re so focused on just the Gospels… we are going to miss a much bigger picture that we can get when we see him in His Old Testament role.” — Dr. Josh Sears (00:02, 30:00)

• On Types and Shadows:

  • “Judah’s a type of Christ. We can look at Joseph, we can look at Moses. …they’re not Jesus, but indirectly they can teach you something about Jesus…” — Dr. Josh Sears (12:35)

• On Interpretation & Modern Application:

  • "No one verse and no one quote captures the full nature and scope of God.” — Dr. Josh Sears (43:45)

• On the JST:

  • “…Joseph Smith translation does different things in different places…” — Dr. Sears (59:22)

• On Translation Anxiety:

  • “We should never be intimidated by Scripture. That’s Satan who would want us to back away from Scripture.” — John Bytheway (47:56)

• On Multiple Meanings:

  • “There is a synergy that happens when we study all these different contexts and interpretations.” — Dr. Sears (34:42)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:54 – 07:48: The excitement and realism of starting the Old Testament
• 07:48 – 16:43: Types, shadows, Messianic motifs; the Old Testament as a witness of Christ
• 19:36 – 38:36: Jehovah as Jesus Christ; expanding scriptural lenses
• 38:13 – 43:45: Wrestling with judgment, violence, and mercy in scripture
• 45:20 – 49:59: Translation tips and modern resources
• 50:41 – 64:22: Restoration scriptures, the JST, and dynamic interpretation

Conclusion

This episode sets the stage for a year of Old Testament study, inviting listeners to embrace its complexity, find Christ on every page, and utilize Restoration scriptures as companions to ancient text. With scholarly insight, humility, and enthusiasm, Dr. Sears and the hosts encourage all to approach the Old Testament with curiosity, faith, and the tools of both tradition and restoration.

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