Episode Overview

Podcast: followHIM
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Ross Baron
Episode: Thoughts to Keep in Mind #1 – Reading the Old Testament
Date: December 29, 2025
Theme:
This special episode launches the "Thoughts to Keep in Mind" series for the Old Testament Come, Follow Me curriculum. Dr. Ross Baron joins Hank and John to provide foundational guidance, practical tips, and spiritual insights to help listeners approach Old Testament study with increased understanding and confidence. Designed as a companion guide, this episode delivers “top ten things to keep in mind” for meaningful and transformative Old Testament study.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Preparing to Study the Old Testament

• The Old Testament can feel intimidating—vast, complex, and culturally distant. Many Latter-day Saints feel less confident about it compared to other scriptures. Dr. Ross Baron offers encouragement and practical help for readers at any experience level.
• Understanding the Old Testament is key to understanding the Book of Mormon, as it was written in an Old Testament context (First Nephi through 3 Nephi 11).
  • "The Book of Mormon essentially is an Old Testament book." (Dr. Ross Baron, 05:07)

2. Top Ten Things to Keep in Mind When Reading the Old Testament

1. Seek the Companionship of the Spirit (07:47)

• The Old Testament is like a foreign country, requiring the Spirit’s guidance for understanding and application.
• Referenced Elder Kim B. Clark’s “deep learning” model: Know & understand (head and heart), take effective righteous action, and become more like Heavenly Father.
  • “You can’t read books about surfing. You actually have to go surfing... same with the gospel.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 08:56)

2. God of the Old & New Testament Is the Same (12:44)

• Avoid the myth that Jehovah in the Old Testament is wrathful and Jesus in the New Testament is merciful—they share the same character.
  • “Jehovah, Jesus, is the God of the Old Testament and he has the same character, attributes and perfections as the God of the New Testament.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 12:51)
• Look for Jesus Christ in the Old Testament to deepen your love and comprehension of Him.

3. The Way History Was Is Not the Way It Had to Be (17:51)

• Agency is central; events could have transpired differently, even in God’s overarching plan (e.g., Adam & Eve, Joseph’s brothers selling him).
  • “The way history was is not the way history had to be.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 18:38)

4. Read for the Big Picture, Then Slow Down (20:30)

• First, read the passage to understand context and storyline; then, revisit and focus deeply on meaningful principles and connections to Christ.

5. Ask Questions of the Text (21:09)

• Questioning the text (even seemingly simple verses) opens layers of learning and personal revelation.
  • Notable Example: Dr. Baron’s grandson was prompted to ask how Jesus increased socially, leading to the insight about Christ’s familiar, personal relationships (giving apostles nicknames, 22:45).

6. Consider Cultural and Linguistic Context (22:49)

• Recognize you are navigating unfamiliar cultures, customs, language, euphemisms; humility is essential.
  • “If a native speaker says ‘tired and sick,’ that means they’re tired and they’re sick. But if they say ‘sick and tired,’ that means they’re frustrated. That happens all the time when we’re reading ancient scripture.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 23:09)

7. Use Trusted Resources (JST, Study Helps, Scholarship) (27:22)

• Use the Joseph Smith Translation, footnotes, reputable commentaries, and multiple Bible translations to clarify difficult passages and doctrinal questions.
  • “Please, please, please use the Joseph Smith Translation. It’s footnoted or it’s in your appendix.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 27:22)

8. The Old Testament Is Not a Literal, Linear History (39:18)

• The Old Testament was not intended as modern historical reporting, nor should it be expected to answer scientific questions about the creation.

9. Don’t Sanitize the Text or the Prophets (41:15)

• Prophets and covenant people make mistakes—don’t whitewash their failings; let scripture show God’s power working through imperfect people and systems.
  • “Students will be like, but wait, did Jacob lie? Yeah. He did... He actually raises up and becomes a different person... He lied. It’s okay. Like, that’s what the text says... don’t sanitize the text.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 42:47)

10. Focus on Overarching Themes: God Fights Our Battles, Covenants, Sacrifice (47:52)

• Key meta-themes to watch for: (a) God will fight our battles when we are in covenant (b) the relational and loyal nature of covenants (hesed/chesed) (c) sacrifice, pointing to Christ’s ultimate role.
  • “There is a ‘hesed’ relationship, that loyalty. No, we don’t kick you out of the covenant.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 50:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Relationship Between the Old Testament and Other Scriptures

• “The keystone to the keystone... the Book of Mormon is the keystone, but the keystone to the keystone is the Old Testament...” (Dr. Ross Baron, 06:05)

The Complexity of Translating and Interpreting Scripture

• “Joseph Smith translation—the word translation can create some problems because I’ve translated Hebrew to English... that’s not what Joseph’s doing.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 33:35)
• “Scripture is very fluid, dynamic, and prophetically guided.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 36:35)

Regarding Expectations and the Humanity of the Text

• “Don’t expect the Old Testament to present a thorough and precise history of humankind. That’s not its intent. That’s not what the original authors... were trying to do.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 39:18)
• “[The Old Testament] does not sanitize. It shows us in all the glory of our weakness, our human frailty, and our fallenness.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 47:11)

On ‘Hesed’ and God’s Loyalty

• “That hesed relationship, that loyalty—no, we don’t kick you out of the covenant. Not happening. We’re going to work with you and we’re going to do, do everything. Literally everything. Jacob, chapter 5: What more could I have done for my vineyard?” (Dr. Ross Baron, 50:35)

For Sufferers & Seekers of Hope

• “I like to let scripture study wash over me. What I mean by that is, as I study... I would read the Psalms. Old Testament... just to let the spirit wash over me and comfort me. And I can testify that it did.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 84:50)
• “It allowed me to endure well, because through the word of God, it healed my spirit and soul.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 87:32)

Scriptural Analysis & Teaching Examples

Genesis 22 – The Binding of Isaac (54:52)

• Dr. Baron demonstrates a close reading, using the Hebrew structure to suggest the verse ought to be read as God intensively training Abraham, not merely testing him, and highlighting the unique occurrence of God saying “please” in a command (“na”).
  • “It’s the only place I know where God says please when he gives a command.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 00:02, also 61:05)
• Emphasizes letting the text speak plainly and avoiding sanitization.

2 Samuel 11 – David and Bathsheba (63:24)

• Careful reading uncovers layers of betrayal and the progression of David’s sin, intensified by his relationship with Bathsheba’s family.
  • “He took his close friend’s wife, daughter, granddaughter... it’s a complete betrayal of relationships, a complete betrayal of covenant, a complete betrayal of light.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 71:02)

Psalms 82:6 & John 10—Theosis in Old and New Testaments (75:10, 81:08)

• The Hebrew for “You are gods”—“Elohim atem”—is literal and connects to Christ’s bold use of the passage in defending his divinity.
  • “He is literally responding to their accusation that he’s making himself God by quoting the Psalms, saying, we’re all Elohim.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 81:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 05:07  | OT context vital for understanding Book of Mormon
• 07:47  | Tip 1: Seek the Spirit for ‘deep learning’
• 12:44  | Tip 2: God’s nature is consistent across testaments
• 17:51  | Tip 3: History is not predetermined—agency matters
• 20:30  | Tip 4: Survey, then study deeply
• 21:09  | Tip 5: Ask questions of the text
• 22:49  | Tip 6: Consider cultural & linguistic context
• 27:22  | Tip 7: Use trusted resources & JST
• 39:18  | Tip 8: Don’t expect the OT to function as a history textbook
• 41:15  | Tip 9: Do not sanitize prophets’ errors
• 47:52  | Tip 10: Watch for meta-themes: God’s fighting, covenants, sacrifice
• 54:52  | Modeling deep reading – Genesis 22 “Take now thy son”
• 63:24  | Reading 2 Samuel 11 – David’s moral decline
• 75:10  | Psalms 82:6 – “Ye are gods” in Hebrew
• 81:08  | Jesus’ use of Psalms 82:6 in John 10
• 84:29  | How the OT brings comfort to those suffering

Final Reflections and Invites

• Let the Old Testament “wash over you”—even when not ‘deep diving,’ trusting that God’s word can bring healing, hope, and inspiration.
  • “Sometimes just reading the word of God in humility... was so powerful... healed my spirit and soul.” (Dr. Ross Baron, 87:32)
• The Old Testament can be demanding, but by using these “thoughts to keep in mind,” learners will discover Christ throughout, gain confidence, and find themselves transformed.

Looking Ahead

• Dr. Ross Baron will return throughout the Old Testament year for further deep dives and thematic guides—next up: The Abrahamic Covenant.

“Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Turn to Him. Follow Him.”
— Dr. Ross Baron (90:46)