Episode Overview

Podcast: followHIM
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Joshua Sears
Episode: Introduction to the Old Testament Part 2
Date: December 24, 2025
Theme:
This episode explores how Latter-day Saints can approach the Old Testament within their scripture study, especially as they begin a new year in the Come, Follow Me curriculum. Dr. Joshua Sears helps listeners understand the relationship between ancient scripture and modern revelation, the unique teaching style of the Old Testament, and how the concept of covenant is central to understanding both scripture and personal discipleship. The episode is rich in practical advice and spiritual insight for those looking to make their Old Testament study more meaningful and relevant.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Relationship Between the Bible and Restoration Scripture

[00:07 – 05:59]

• Dr. Sears emphasizes that the Bible and Latter-day Saints’ restoration scripture (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) were prophesied to "grow together" (2 Nephi 3:12), highlighting mutual enrichment over time.
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (00:40):
    “The more we read the Bible, it grows to help us understand the Book of Mormon. And the more we read the Book of Mormon, it grows to help us understand the Bible.”
• While restoration scripture clarifies much, it can unintentionally sideline or oversimplify the Old Testament.
  • Too many scriptures create a practical challenge: Latter-day Saints might not rotate through all books as often as those who focus solely on the Bible.
  • Quoting Elder M. Russell Ballard’s 2007 talk, Dr. Sears notes the importance of loving and spending time with all scriptures.

2. Old Testament vs. Restoration Scripture: Different Teaching Styles

[06:00 – 17:00]

• Restoration scripture (like the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants) is typically straightforward, direct, and unambiguous in delivering doctrine.
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (07:40):
    “The Book of Mormon is many things, but it’s not subtle. … Mormon doesn’t want us left with nothing to work with. He wants to give us an initial meaning.”
• In contrast, the Old Testament is subtler, often ambiguous, and more likely to ask questions than provide direct answers.
  • Example: Psalm 88 – A psalm of despair without resolution, illustrating that the Old Testament can serve as a space for readers to “wrestle” with pain and questions, rather than to hand out easy answers.
    (Psalm 88 reading & commentary, 08:40–11:50)
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (11:10):
    “It’s just intended to draw us into this experience of pain and let us sit there and wrestle with this.”
• Ambiguity is a design feature of the Old Testament, not a flaw; it invites deeper spiritual wrestle and personal revelation.

3. The Value of Wrestling with Scripture

[14:45 – 17:13]

• Wrestling (spiritually, intellectually, emotionally) with the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, leads to greater spiritual depth—paralleled to physical exertion promoting strength.
  • Quote, John Bytheway (16:11):
    “If I wrestle, everything gets stronger. Why would God put you through a wrestle? Because you’ll get stronger.”
• The episode references the story of the Brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon (Ether 2), emphasizing that sometimes God wants us to work out answers ourselves.

4. Balancing Restoration Clarity & Old Testament Ambiguity

[17:13 – 19:02]

• Dr. Sears concludes this section reminding listeners to appreciate both direct teaching and open-ended questioning, valuing what each scriptural approach brings.
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (18:23):
    “It provides us the challenge that … we don’t want to let the relatively straightforward clarity of teachings we find in restoration scripture get us frustrated when we go to the Bible and find that there’s so much gray characterization, moral ambiguity, open-ended questions … I think it’s a design feature.”

5. Covenants: The Heart of the Old Testament

[19:02 – 27:30]

• The Old Testament is fundamentally about God making and keeping covenants with His people.
  • Invitation: Study covenants, especially as taught by President Russell M. Nelson (“The Everlasting Covenant,” October 2022 Liahona).
• Dr. Sears shifts the definition of covenant from merely a two-way promise to a transformative relationship-building process.
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (23:15):
    “The aim of covenant making is to build, establish, and maintain relationships.”
  • Quote, Sister Emily Belle Freeman (cited at 23:56):
    “A covenant is not only about a contract … it’s about a relationship.”
• The new and everlasting covenant (Gospel of Jesus Christ/Plan of Salvation) stretches from Adam and Eve through every dispensation, culminating in the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12).
• Israel is chosen not for privilege but for responsibility:
  • Quote, Hank Smith (29:54):
    “Someone might say, wait, I thought God loved all his children. Why would he have a chosen people? It’s because he loves all his children that he has a chosen people because they are under covenant responsibility to go share and work.”
  • Quote, John Bytheway (30:09):
    “Chosen to mow the lawn. … It’s chosen to get to work.”

6. Personal Application of Collective Stories

[32:28 – 42:34]

• Adapting group stories to the individual: God is consistent. The blessings and obligations of the covenant are the same for groups and for individuals.
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (32:56):
    “Despite the situational differences between a large group of people and myself, it’s the same God who has the covenant relationship, regardless …”
• Not all difficulties are divine punishments; sometimes, hardships are a byproduct of mortality, but God’s aid is sure in every circumstance.
  (Egyptian bondage: not Israel’s fault vs. Babylonian captivity: result of the nation’s unfaithfulness; God redeems in both scenarios.)
• The principle of "likening":
  Drawing on Nephi’s example (1 Nephi 19, 22), Dr. Sears teaches:
  • Likening is not mere application, but actively comparing self/situation to scriptural example, acknowledging differences as well as similarities.

7. Preview: The Redeeming Character of God in the Old Testament

[43:43 – 49:56]

• Dr. Sears reads a series of powerful redemptive promises from Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Zechariah, and Micah, emphasizing God's persistent, covenant-keeping love.
• Testimony: The Old Testament is a story of redemption and miracles. Whatever our trials or detours, God will ultimately keep every promise, and blessing, at some point, will be realized if we trust Him.
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (47:15):
    “No matter what kind of pickles the Israelites find themselves in, somehow God has a way of getting them out of it.”
  • Quote, Dr. Sears (48:30):
    “Inasmuch as God has bound Himself to us by covenant, he will never forget nor forsake us; somehow he is going to make good on every promise.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Sears (00:40):
  “These are really meant to work together. … The more we read the Bible, it grows to help us understand the Book of Mormon. And the more we read the Book of Mormon, it grows to help us understand the Bible.”

• Dr. Sears (10:49 – Psalm 88):
  “It’s just intended to draw us into this experience of pain and let us sit there and wrestle with this.”

• John Bytheway (16:11):
  “If I wrestle, everything gets stronger. Why would God put you through a wrestle? Because you’ll get stronger.”

• Dr. Sears (23:15):
  “The aim of covenant making is to build, establish, and maintain relationships.”

• Hank Smith (29:54):
  “It’s because he loves all his children that he has a chosen people because they are under covenant responsibility to go share and work.”

• Dr. Sears (47:15):
  “No matter what kind of pickles the Israelites find themselves in, somehow God has a way of getting them out of it.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:07 – Introduction to the Old Testament’s relationship to Restoration scripture
• 08:40 – Example: Wrestling with Psalm 88 (grief, ambiguity)
• 11:41 – Jeremiah’s accusation towards God, the struggle of wrestling with God’s promises
• 13:40 – Jephthah’s story (Judges 11) as an example of Old Testament moral ambiguity
• 16:11 – John’s analogy of wrestling as spiritual strength building
• 23:15 – 25:59 – Covenants as relationship-building, key teachings from President Nelson
• 29:54 – Discussion of Israel’s “chosen” status and missionary responsibility
• 32:28 – Personalizing collective Old Testament stories
• 41:51 – Nephi’s example for “likening” scripture
• 43:43 – 49:56 – Scriptural promises of redemption; reading passages from the prophets
• 47:15 – “No matter what kind of pickles the Israelites find themselves in…”

Flow & Tone

The tone is approachable, spiritually engaged, and invites listeners to deepen their study without intimidation. Dr. Sears frequently grounds doctrinal points in both historical and modern contexts, with the hosts adding relatable analogies and personal testimonies.

Final Takeaways

• Approach the Old Testament not simply as history or doctrine, but as a story of ongoing relationships between God and His people.
• Restoration scripture clarifies and enriches, but the ambiguity and complexity of the Old Testament is by divine design—embrace the wrestle.
• Covenants aren’t just agreements, they’re invitations to a transformative, loyal relationship with God.
• Apply “likening” as a tool: move beyond surface application by seeing connections, similarities, and differences between ancient and modern situations.
• God’s covenantal love is persistent, patient, and ultimately redemptive for both individuals and nations.

For those starting your Old Testament study this year, Dr. Sears encourages you to engage deeply—with your mind, heart, and questions—and to trust that throughout, God is reaching out in relationship, inviting you to wrestle, to learn, and to believe in His promises of redemption.