Category: Come Follow Me

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Ancient history Old Testament

What Is the Meaning of the Akedah in Genesis 22?

Silhouetted Abraham and Isaac walk up Mount Moriah at sunrise, Abraham carrying wood for the offering, in an oil-painted style evoking Genesis 22 and the Akedah.

The Akedah—Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22—has long been read as the Bible’s ultimate test of faith and obedience. The Hebrew word means “to tie up” or “to bind,” describing what Abraham does to Isaac in response to God’s command to kill his son. He sets out without telling Sarah, fully intending to murder his child, only for the Lord to intervene at the last moment with a critical message. Abraham’s trial of faith is so devastating that he never again speaks to Isaac, Sarah, or God. Philosophers and theologians have interpreted the story in strikingly different ways: Did God expect Abraham’s obedience—or yearn for his “pious irreverence”? In this interview, scholar Aaron Koller explores the history of interpreting the Akedah, examining what this haunting episode means for readers of faith.

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Devotional

Rediscovering Neal A. Maxwell: Why These “Hard-to-Find” Talks Still Matter

A black and white photograph of Neal A. Maxwell using a manual typewriter for a book, indicative of his many talks and publications.

The Neal A. Maxwell Institute recently published nearly two dozen of Elder Maxwell’s best—and hardest-to-find—talks. When his family proposed the idea, the institute immediately agreed and set to work. The addresses were selected in part for their relevance to modern church members. For example, “Great Answers to the Great Questions” examines whether a redeeming Christ still matters, while “A Choice Seer” distinguishes Joseph Smith’s paradigm-shifting revelations from his self-confessed flaws. The end result is a rare collection of discourses by Neal A. Maxwell that acquaints younger generations with the apostle who championed the concept of Latter-day Saints as “disciple-scholars.”

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New Testament

Daily Cross, Eternal Family: Discipleship in the Gospel of Luke

A Jorge Cocco painting of Jesus calling to Zacchaeus in a tree, illustrating the theme of discipleship in the Gospel of Luke.
"Zacchaeus, I Will Dine With You," by Jorge Cocco. Used by permission.

Jesus presents a vision of discipleship in the Gospel of Luke that is simultaneously costly and rewarding. For example, it is here that Jesus asks the rich young ruler to forsake his possessions and tells followers to “hate” their families. Luke’s Gospel is also unique in its depiction of discipleship as a physical and spiritual walk with Jesus toward—and beyond—the cross. In this interview, New Testament scholar S. Kent Brown discusses the hard sayings of Jesus in Luke, concluding that discipleship requires total surrender, finds ultimate meaning in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and empowers individuals to strengthen rather than forsake family relationships.

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Joseph Smith Old Testament Pearl of Great Price

What Does Genesis Really Say About Creation?

At its core, Genesis offers not one but two distinct creation accounts, each highlighting different aspects of humanity’s relationship with God. Far from being the straightforward words of Moses, the book reflects centuries of redaction and compilation—much like the Book of Mormon—woven from multiple voices and contexts. Along the way, readers encounter surprising details: skies imagined as a solid dome, humans formed from dirt, and Joseph Smith’s bold emendations of the Old Testament Hebrew text. In this interview, Avram R. Shannon explains how ancient context reshapes our understanding of Genesis, creation, and the faith-science conversation.

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Devotional

Jeffrey R. Holland Talks, Books, and Devotionals

An upper-body shot of Elder Holland, the apostle known for his Jeffrey R. Holland talks.

Jeffrey R. Holland was one of the most popular speakers in modern Latter-day Saint history. Before passing away in 2025, President Holland had given nearly 70 talks in general conference, including “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” and “Broken Things to Mend.” Holland was also noteworthy for passionate BYU devotionals such as “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” as well as his testimony of Christ shared in numerous books, firesides, and devotionals. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this article provides easy access to some of President Holland’s most notable teachings.

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American History Ancient history Latter-day Saint History Theology

The Best of From the Desk: 2025 Year in Review

Illustrated scholar’s desk with an open annotated book, stacked manuscripts, and parchment sketches, with “2025” engraved on the wooden surface, symbolizing a year-in-review of historical and theological scholarship.

Another year is in the books—and it’s resulted in some thought-provoking scholarship. We’ve put together a list of 2025’s most influential interviews, along with fan favorites, and identified recently published pieces that are already trending. Plus, we’ve cut through the stats to highlight this year’s hidden gems. From Bruce Chilton’s groundbreaking work on the Aramaic Jesus to Jonathan Stapley’s unprecedented history of Latter-day Saint temple worship, these are 2025’s most noteworthy interviews in history, religion, and theology.

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Quotes

The Best David A. Bednar Quotes: 2026 Edition

A David A. Bednar quote about circumstances.

David A. Bednar has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2004, when he was called to fill the vacancy created by the death of Neal A. Maxwell. Prior to that time, he was the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho. He is known for talking about the Holy Ghost, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the role of ordinances and covenants in the lives of Church members. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes feature, this page covers a variety of apostolic teachings, including Elder Bednar’s October 2025 General Conference talk, “They Are Their Own Judges.”

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Quotes

Elder Gérald Caussé: Inspiring Quotes From a New Apostle

Elder Gérald Caussé quote: "My testimony is very simple. It is that Jesus is the Christ."

As the first native French-speaking Apostle in modern history, Elder Gérald Caussé brings a distinct global perspective to his witness of Jesus Christ. A classically trained pianist and former executive, he spent a decade as Presiding Bishop deconstructing corporate culture, insisting the Church “is not a business” because it is “all about people.” His teachings uniquely blend the temporal and spiritual, urging environmental stewardship as a sacred duty and promising “compensating blessings” to those facing life’s unfair limitations. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this article provides inspiring excerpts from the teachings of a Latter-day Saint leader.

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Come Follow Me Old Testament Scriptures

How to Pick a Study Bible: Latter-day Saint Edition

An excerpt from the SBL Study Bible translation of Genesis 1, alongside four Study Bibles, illustrating how Latter-day Saints can benefit by learning about the Bible from experts rather than relying only on the archaic King James Version.

Study Bibles offer valuable insights that can help Latter-day Saints understand the scriptures, including the Old Testament. Church members can use reliable editions alongside the King James Version to better comprehend historical and doctrinal issues obscured by the 1611 text. The General Handbook allows for the use of study Bibles and includes a list of Bibles published or preferred by the Church to maintain clarity in discussions. In this interview, BYU scholar Joshua Sears evaluates leading study Bibles from a Latter-day Saint perspective, explains what to look for, and shares practical tips.

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Devotional Quotes

Words of a Prophet: Dallin H. Oaks Quotes From Every General Conference

President Dallin H. Oaks quotes from General Conference testify of Christ and inspire listeners to live holier lives.

Dallin H. Oaks has given many talks as a prophet, counselor in the First Presidency, and member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. His first address was shared in 1971, and his most recent October 2025 General Conference talk was called “The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ”—his first as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In between, he’s spoken about topics like the Family Proclamation, the U.S. Constitution, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Similar to our article with President Christofferson quotes, this piece includes Dallin H. Oaks quotations from every general conference.

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