Talking Scripture

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(00:00) Ruth, a Moabite, becomes a central character in Israel’s history as the great-grandmother of King David, through whose line comes Jesus Christ. Her story shows that God is the God of the whole world.
(10:52) After becoming a widow, Ruth goes to Bethlehem and gleans in the fields of Boaz. The Law commanded that owners “not reap the corners of their fields,” thus providing for the poor.
(13:53) How Boaz symbolizes Christ and how Ruth represents all of us coming unto him to be redeemed.
(23:15) Ruth proposes marriage to Boaz. The threshing floor as a symbol for covenants and the temple. Jesus says “I will gather my people as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor.”
(29:46) The other kinsman that has claim upon Ruth can be seen as a symbol of Jesus reconciling and paying our debts for the things that have claim on us. God will compensate us for the difficult times in our lives.
(33:03) All the characters in the story of Ruth are demonstrating hesed, or covenant love. The image of the circle and square coming together as a symbol for the union of heaven and earth.
(38:46) In the Book of Samuel, Hannah comes to the tabernacle at Shiloh to pray for God to give her a son. Like Hannah, all of us experience times of deprivation, even when it is a righteous desire we seek.
(43:02) Hannah’s prayer led to the birth of Samuel and then an even more abundant blessing of many children. God is bounteous in his loving kindness.
(45:39) The Song of Hannah as a triumphant song of praise and overcoming adversity. It gives reference to the King, but there is no monarchy yet. This song can be seen as a prophecy of the Savior and contains temple imagery.
(49:13) Eli’s sons reject the Lord, so Samuel will take their place as High Priest.
(50:08) The Lord calls young Samuel to be a prophet, but he doesn’t immediately understand. Eli helps him open his ears. Sometimes we brush off impressions as coincidence, but oftentimes they are revelation.
(54:32) Samuel is recognized as a prophet. Prophets advise Israel’s kings and when they listen to the prophet they are blessed.
(57:42) The Israelites are defeated by the Philistines. Eli and his sons die. Samuel exhorts Israel to serve the Lord and the Philistines are subdued.

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The post Ep 374 | Ruth; 1 Samuel 1-7, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 1-7) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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(00:00) A brief overview of these chapters.
(06:25) The pride cycle explained.
(11:29) The pride cycle illustrated in the Book of Judges.
(15:56) Successive generations of Israelites forget God and the things he has done for them.
(17:56) The theme of denigrating the northern tribes of Israel.
(21:33) Othniel is the first judge. Ehud, the second judge, brings a “gift” to Eglon, the fat king of Moab.
(27:24) Deborah is the third judge. How her story compares to the Ishtar myth.
(36:51) Gideon is the fourth judge and humbly trusts in God.
(47:43) Gideon refuses the invitation to be the king of Israel and teaches that Israel should make God their King.
(53:20) Samson is the 7th judge and is blessed with great strength. His ultimate destruction is symbolic of the descent of the House of Israel. Other myths of the ancient world, those of Nergal and Oedipus, may indicate that Samson’s story contains recontextualized tropes from older times.
(1:11:00) Abimelech is the 5th judge and slays his seventy brothers.
(1:14:15) Jephthah is the 6th judge and makes a rash vow and sacrifices his only daughter.
(1:17:47) In the first epilogue Micah sets up a false religion.
(1:19:59) In the second epilogue a Levite woman is horribly violated and killed. Civil war ensues among the Israelites. We see that if Christ isn’t our King, we will be without civilization.

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The post Ep 373 | Judges, Come Follow Me 2026 (May 25-31) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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(00:00) A brief overview of these chapters.
(02:47) Balancing the violence in Joshua with modern revelation and other ways of interpreting the text.
(12:49) If we want the Lord’s help in conflict, then we need to do things the Lord’s way. The three rules of conflict: have the right attitude, have the right motive, and do not be guilty of the first or second offense.
(21:46) Some archaeological evidence does not match the book of Joshua’s description of the conquest of the Land of Canaan.
(28:00) Models of how Israel came to exist in scholarship.
(32:28) Get off the beach. Joshua illustrates how the Lord guides us and how revelation works.
(41:43) What mean these stones? The God who did wonderful things in the past will do wonderful things in your life.
(46:03) The circular pattern of stones at Gilgal can invite readers to see Joshua as an ascension text.
(51:33) Joshua taking the land as a type of Jesus conquering sin and death. Rahab and the scarlet thread as symbols of sin and the atonement.
(1:06:14) Joshua’s final speech. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve: … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

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The post Ep 372 | Joshua, Come Follow Me 2026 (May 18-24) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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(00:00) There is evidence that the Five Books of Moses and specifically the Book of Deuteronomy were edited both before and during the Babylonian captivity, around 600 B.C.
(03:14) Many scholars see Deuteronomy as the “Book of the Law” that was discovered during Josiah’s reign from 640-609 B.C.
(06:15) Examples of additions and redactions which demonstrate the history of the text.
(12:54) The Book of Mormon and the New Testament bring balance to the religious reforms during Josiah’s reign.
(15:35) The Deuteronomistic History is a term used in modern biblical studies to describe the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings. The Deuteronomistic History portrays a cohesive view of Israel.
(18:46) Lehi and Nephi were at odds with the Jews at the time they left Jerusalem in 600 B.C. Examples from the Book of Mormon show how prophets disagreed with some of Deuteronomy’s ideas.
(23:26) Deuteronomy centralizes worship and prohibits any altars outside of the temple. Visionaries were denigrated, yet Nephi knew the mysteries.
(25:42) Deuteronomy focuses on the Abrahamic Covenant and stresses that Israel is to remember the Lord.
(32:39) Deuteronomy has covenant renewal ceremonies and is constructed in the pattern of an ancient Near Eastern vassal treaty. This pattern is also used in King Benjamin’s speech in Mosiah 1-6.
(38:22) The scattering and gathering is prophesied in both Deuteronomy and the Book of Mormon. God wants to bring Israel back home.
(46:12) Deuteronomy 31.6 shows a direct connection to the Book of Joshua. Blessings for keeping the commandments can be seen as a generational promise, not necessarily a 1:1 relationship. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a “cosmic vending machine.”
(48:53) Both Deuteronomy and the Book of Mormon are writing with the future in mind, knowing that their discovery will bring religious reform.
(51:14) Both books warn of the pride and destruction that can come with prosperity.
(55:28) Moses “dies,” and the text of Deuteronomy says his sepulcher is not known. The Book of Mormon teaches that Moses was translated. Josephus’ history says he disappeared in a cloud. The New Testament shows Moses appears at the Mount of Transfiguration.
(1:02:01) As a resurrected being, in April 1836, Moses came to Joseph Smith to give him the keys of the gathering of Israel. In this way, we are all connected to Moses and his mission. As modern day Israel, we carry the torch of Gospel light and are commanded to spread the Gospel.

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The post Ep 371 | Deuteronomy, Come Follow Me 2026 (May 11-17) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) A brief overview of these chapters.
(02:35) The Israelites murmur and complain in the wilderness. How we respond to our afflictions will shape our character. We can strive to see God’s hand in our lives like Nephi and Francis Webster.
(15:34) The book of Numbers contains evidence that it is a compilation of separate traditions. Understanding these traditions helps to explain some contradictions in the text.
(21:48) Israel murmurs and lusts for meat instead of manna. The Lord abundantly blesses them with quail.
(25:11) Moses complains that he can’t bear the burden alone and is commanded to choose 70 to assist him. The very essence of Christianity is to have compassion for those who are downtrodden.
(29:24) The Greek translation of manna leads to fascinating possibilities. The Israelites loathe the manna and want something exciting and new.
(35:41) Aaron and Miriam challenge Moses’ authority. Numbers 12 portrays Moses as God’s authorized representative, emphasizing hierarchical priesthood authority.
(39:08) Moses sends 12 spies to search the land of Canaan. Ten of them bring back a negative report, telling of giants inhabiting the land. Joshua and Caleb give a positive report and say that Israel can take the land of Canaan.
(43:20) Moses stands as intercessor, working to convince the Lord to not smite the Israelites. The adult Israelites murmur and want to die in the wilderness. The Lord grants this request, while also emphasizing that he desires to have a righteous people who will build Zion.
(47:34) Miriam and Aaron die in the wilderness. Moses will see, but not enter the promised land.
(49:42) The king of Edom refuses to let Israel pass peacefully through his land. We can choose to not be offended.
(52:04) The Israelites are plagued and bitten by fiery serpents. Moses lifts up a serpent of brass to save those who will look upon it. This story is told in greater detail in the Book of Mormon. We should not be slothful because of the easiness of the way.
(1:00:00) Og, the king of Bashan, is described as the last of the giants. His bed is described with the same dimensions as that of Marduk, a Mesopotamian deity.
(1:02:16) Balak offers Balaam money, cattle, and great honors to curse Israel. Balaam refuses, and instead pronounces great blessings upon Israel.
(1:13:54) Another perspective on why the Lord was angry with Balaam.

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The post Ep 370 | Numbers, Come Follow Me 2026 (May 4-10) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.