Talking Scripture

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes(00:00) An overview of these chapters.(04:11) David stays in Jerusalem instead of going to war with his troops. He lies with Bathsheba and then tries to cover his sin by arranging for the death of her husband, Uriah. Reading this story through the lens of the honor culture in the ancient Near East.(08:13) David’s fall helps us see the lines of defense we can put in place to prevent us from breaking the law of chastity.(19:10) Chaos ensues in David’s family because of his example. Nathan pitches a legal case to David where a wealthy man steals a poor man’s little lamb. Nathan says, “Thou art the man!” He prophesies chaos in the House of David as a consequence of his choices.(20:05) David’s son Amnon takes his sister Tamar by force. Tamar’s other brother Absalom kills Amnon in revenge. Absalom rebels against his father David and declares himself the king. David’s general Joab slays Absalom.(28:24) In the Book of Mormon, Jacob rebukes those who excuse themselves in committing sins like David and Solomon. Their immoral transgressions broke the hearts of their wives. Their children lost confidence because of their bad examples.(31:30) The last four chapters of 2 Samuel are an appendix containing diverse materials arranged in a chiastic order.(35:47) Solomon becomes the king. He asks the Lord for a wise and understanding heart.(38:42) Two mothers contend over a baby and Solomon determines who the true mother is. His wisdom and understanding exceed that of all men, but then Solomon begins to worships false gods. Our strengths can also be our downfall.(44:24) The First Israelite Temple is built by Solomon. We can find increased divine assistance when we attend the temple and partner with the Lord. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 377 | 2 Samuel 8-24; 1 Kings 1-11, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 22-28) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant include preservation, protection, priesthood, power, a place, and posterity.(09:20) The responsibility of the Abrahamic Covenant is to make Christ’s name known to the world and help all to obtain priesthood and temple blessings.(19:29) The Lord places Abraham and his posterity, Israel, in the center of the world. Our challenge is to influence the world without being influenced by the world.(29:51) Abraham and Sarah experience “The Hero’s Journey.” Sarah’s combat with Pharaoh is similar to Eve’s battle with the serpent.(39:01) Abraham grants the superior land to Lot. We should be generous with others as was Abraham.(40:32) Anachronisms in Genesis 14 are clues as to when it was written.(43:20) Melchizedek has largely been removed from the Hebrew Bible, but was on the Brass Plates. Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ.(49:57) Abraham and Sarah both gave God the benefit of the doubt in regard to his promise of having seed. Like them, we should do all we can to ensure the Lord’s promises are fulfilled.(52:49) The ritual cutting of sacrificial animals in Genesis 15 relates to ancient covenant making.(57:53) Abraham’s visionary experience included both light and darkness.(1:01:04) The Lord tells Sarai to choose Hagar to bring forth Ishmael. The word used for bringing forth children relates to the idea of “building.”(1:05:40) Circumcision is a token or sign of the covenant given to Abraham.(1:07:04) How El Shaddai (the Almighty God) can be read as a representation of our Divine Mother in Heaven, with blessings connected to children and life. The historical evolution of Israel’s view of the nature of God. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 359 | Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 16-22) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) Moses 7 reveals the true character of God. He is an eternal being who weeps for His children.(09:06) The law must be administered. Moses 7.38 – “a prison have I prepared for them.” There is an exit from hell as explained in D&C 19.(14:51) Terryl and Fiona Givens share their view on “The God Who Weeps.”(22:19) The teaching that “The Son of Man” will come down to earth, be lifted upon the cross, resurrected, and take up the saints to be crowned (Moses 7.53-56) is rejected by those that edited the Old Testament. Enoch, Lehi, and Nephi teach the message of the Messiah.(27:40) Enoch literature is apocalyptic and was not included in the Christian canon.(30:49) Many ideas in the Bible are influenced by the writings of Enoch.(48:30) There is great wickedness upon the earth. Boyd K. Packer discussed how the youth of our day face greater challenges than those of his generation.(57:24) Defining what Zion means. Enoch and his people established Zion and were taken up to God.(1:06:04) In the last days, we are to gather again into a holy city called Zion and the city of Enoch will return. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 357 | Moses 7, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 2-8) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps:(00:00) Heavenly Father’s plan in the premortal council and Jesus’ role as Savior. The Savior sought only the glory of the Father.(06:15) The Serpent (Satan) comes to Eve. The serpent was subtle, a word with many meanings. 2 Nephi 2 explains how agency works its requirements.(13:40) Adam and Eve were commanded to not eat the fruit and to also multiply and replenish the earth. A discussion on these potentially conflicting commands.(20:23) Another view on the divine commandments given to Adam and Eve.(26:01) Eve’s temptation and the Fall. Understanding Lehi’s discourse on the Fall helps us see how it was a blessing to all mankind.(31:07) Reading Genesis 3 through the lens of the temple and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount will help us see layers of meaning.(45:16) The curse given to the serpent as an allusion to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.(47:39) The curse given to Eve relates to sorrow in conception. Other ways to interpret “He shall rule over thee.” The curse given to Adam.(58:54) Moses 4 introduces the two first laws of heaven: obedience and sacrifice.(1:03:52) Moses 5 shows how Cain’s choices led him down a dark path.(1:10:07) The Mahan principle is converting life into property.(1:15:50) The Lord invited Cain to think about his choices. One lesson from this story for parents is “Don’t freak out!”(1:19:54) Hidden meaning in the names of Cain and Abel. Their story can be read as a rivalry between two priesthoods.(1:24:23) The Book of Mormon helps us see that the curse and mark put on Cain was an absence of the Light of Christ or a dark countenance. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 355 | Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5, Come Follow Me 2026 (January 19-25) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) The book of Moses is the JST of Genesis. The word translation has multiple meanings. Moses 1 is the missing preface to the Old Testament which reveals three important truths.(07:03) We are God’s children, and have infinite worth and potential.(08:45) The name of God. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and many words can have various interpretations.(12:06) Divine investiture of authority allows the Son to have the power to speak as if he is the Father.(18:11) The creation story is not about how. It’s about why. Man is nothing and yet God wants to give us everything He has.(21:18) The historical timeframe of Moses 1.(23:54) Satan’s name only appears in the Bible 13 times. His presence in the Book of Moses is significant.(27:43) The difference between the glory of God and the glory of the world.(33:50) We can cast out Satan and control darkness by inviting light.(35:39) Moses 1 ends with the command to show the words only to those that believe. Levels of exoteric and esoteric are in scriptural texts.(39:44) The book of Abraham originated with Egyptian papyri that Joseph Smith translated. Fire destroyed most of the original scrolls and only small fragments remain. These fragments, called JSP I-XI, contain burial texts called The Book of Breathings.(45:36) The relationship between the remaining fragments and the text of the Book of Abraham is not fully understood.(47:28) Some counter-arguments to criticisms of the Book of Abraham include the missing text theory, the catalyst theory, and the Jewish redaction theory.(55:23) The JSP I-XI fragments date to the 2nd century BC, not 1900 BC when Abraham lived. The rolls were likely copies of copies.(1:01:08) In the Book of Abraham, the greatness of the Messiah is found in the symbolism of the cosmos and stars.(1:10:37) Abraham learns about the pre-earth life.(1:11:54) Joseph’s introduction to the Hebrew language likely influenced some of the words found in Abraham. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 353 | Moses 1; Abraham 3, Come Follow Me 2026 (January 5-11) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.