Category: Come Follow Me

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Book excerpts Doctrine and Covenants

A Modern Interpretation of D&C 1

A cropped book cover of "Restoration" by Patrick Mason, in which he provides an "urgent paraphrase" of Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

On November 1, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation at a church conference held in Hiram, Ohio, in which the elders were discussing the preparation of a Book of Commandments—a compendium of teachings and revelations to the prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord sent a message through Joseph and designated that it should be placed at the opening of the book as its “preface.” The revelation was published as Chapter 1 of the Book of Commandments and has appeared as Section 1 in every succeeding edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.1

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Ancient history New Testament

Who Was the Virgin Mary in Early Christianity?

A composite painting of the Virgin Mary generated by AI to represent the nuanced way she was viewed in early Christianity.

The Virgin Mary is best known today as the Mother of God. Ancient Christians held the same belief, but it’s unclear what else they knew about her. The New Testament, apocryphal writings, and biblical archaeology shed light on certain aspects of her life, such as her likely age was when Jesus was born. Mary also serves as a lens through which we can view the history of Christian theology and the nature of Jesus. In this interview, biblical scholar Mary Joan Leith discusses the role of Mary in early Christianity.

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Come Follow Me New Testament

Latter-day Saints and the New Testament

The story of Jesus and the pool of Bethesda, as illustrated in this Carl Bloch painting, is one of many events from the life of Jesus covered in the Come Follow Me 2023 curriculum drawn from the New Testament.

The New Testament is considered scriptural canon for Latter-day Saints, alongside the Old Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. This article compiles scholarly and devotional insights about the second half of the Bible, addressing themes such as history, theology, and revelation. It features interviews with scholars like N. T. Wright, Thomas Wayment, Amy-Jill Levine, Camille Fronk Olson, S. Kent Brown, Eric Huntsman, Terryl Givens, and many others.

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Ancient history Book of Mormon Come Follow Me

Do Book of Mormon Names Have Ancient Origins?

S. Kent Brown says that this altar with an inscription of Nahom is the first archaeological proof of the Book of Mormon

The prophet Brigham Young spent two years studying the Book of Mormon before he accepted it as the word of God. He said that he “wished time sufficient to prove all things for myself.” Today, scholars seek historical confirmation of the scripture’s origins to complement their own divine witnesses. In this interview, Stephen D. Ricks discusses evidence that names in the Book of Mormon have ancient origins.

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Bible Theology

Margaret Barker: Why Do Latter-day Saints Like Her So Much?

A headshot of biblical scholar Margaret Barker—a favorite of many Latter-day Saint academics

Margaret Barker is a world-renowned biblical scholar. She’s been quoted by the likes of N. T. Wright and given an award by the Queen of England. Interestingly, the Methodist preacher is also a favorite of many Latter-day Saint scholars. In this interview, Kevin Christensen tells the story of how Barker first encountered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and why so many of the faith’s scholars are drawn to her work.

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Book excerpts Book of Mormon

What Did Moroni Teach About the Sacrament?

A sketch of Moroni writing on gold plates about the doctrinal significant of the sacrament.

As Moroni’s instructions on the ordinances turn toward the administration of the “flesh and blood of Christ unto the church,” he offers the Book of Mormon‘s only statements on ritualized prayer (Moroni 4:1). He provides the precise wording of the blessings on the sacrament—wording that he indicates came from Jesus Christ four hundred years earlier, wording that would be essentially affirmed in a subsequent revelation to Joseph Smith fourteen hundred years later. These words clearly matter. They would thus seem to warrant our close attention.

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Quotes

President Nelson Repentance Quotes

A quote from President Russell M. Nelson about repentance.

Many Russell M. Nelson quotes focus on repentance. Since being called as an apostle, Russell M. Nelson has discussed the need for daily repentance, the role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and attaining joy through repentance. This post compiles President Nelson quotes about repentance from his ministry up to October 2024.

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Ancient history Come Follow Me New Testament

N. T. Wright on the New Testament in Its World

New Testament scholar N. T. Wright posing in front of an ancient site

N. T. Wright is one of today’s most influential biblical scholars. His one-volume introduction to the New Testament illuminates the history, theology, and literature of the first Christians. Co-authored with Michael F. Bird, the book is accessible to lay readers and scholars alike. In this interview, N. T. Wright discusses The New Testament in Its World, gives tips for understanding the Apostle Paul, explains why the Bible isn’t a guide for getting into heaven, and more.

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Ancient history New Testament

Was Jesus a Rabbi? An Interview with Bruce Chilton

An AI-generated image of Jesus as a rabbi teaching students in an ancient Jewish synagogue.

The Gospels repeatedly designate Jesus as a rabbi. For some, the term adds an extra layer of depth to the historical Jesus. But it’s not that simple for everyone. For example, calling Jesus a rabbi associates him with Judaism. It also reinforces his role as a historical figure. Both implications go against the grain of certain ideologies. In this interview, Mary Magdalene author Bruce Chilton explains more—and reflects on reactions to his book, Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography.

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Ancient history New Testament

Were the Pharisees Bad People?

A painting of the often-misunderstood Pharisees from the New Testament.

The Pharisees are often portrayed as bad people that serve as foils for the New Testament Jesus. Indeed, the Gospels depict them in an especially bad light. But history suggests that common narratives may be flawed—and that religious stereotypes are unfair to contemporary Jews. In this interview, Jewish scholar Amy-Jill Levine discusses why many historians think that the Pharisees are misunderstood.

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