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Talking Scripture

Talking Scripture

By: Mike Day & Bryce Dunford
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 Tips to help you understand and find relevance in scripture. Mike Day and Bryce Dunford are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who love to teach the scriptures. They explain and illustrate relevance in the text and discuss ideas for understanding and applying Come Follow Me and beyond. Spirituality
Episodes
  • Ep 361 | Genesis 24-33, Come Follow Me 2026 (March 2-8)

    Ep 361 | Genesis 24-33, Come Follow Me 2026 (March 2-8)
    Feb 26 2026
    → Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) Those searching for an eternal companion can learn valuable lessons from the story of Isaac and Rebekah.(04:18) “He shall send his angel before thee to help” in Genesis 24.20.(06:47) A caution: The Lord may have not chosen one particular person to be your spouse.(09:16) The servant’s test of how to choose an eternal companion. If you are looking for a 3-3 marriage, be a 3!(23:05) Four ways to read the text, with three important lenses. The temple symbolism of Rebekah at the well.(30:17) Abraham marries Keturah after the death of Sarah.(33:15) The sons of Ishmael and their “castles” in Genesis 25.12-18.(34:50) Abraham died and was gathered to his people. These verses echo eternal truths regarding the reunification of families in the Spirit World after death.(38:38) Rebekah and Isaac have twins named Jacob and Esau. These men represent two nations.(45:51) Esau is the progenitor of the Edomites.(49:20) Esau sells the birthright in Genesis 25.29-34. Esau’s tears remind us to not despise the blessings within our reach.(57:46) The people of the covenant always seek sacred places to commune with God.(1:03:13) The literal reading (peshat) of Genesis 27.1-40 with 4 points of emphasis from the Institute Manual.(1:10:27) Patterns, types, and figures may provide deeper meaning to Genesis 27. Reading this text with an allegorical (remez) and sacred temple approach (sod).(1:21:36) The three fold structure of the creation and the three Patriarchs may increase our understanding of temple symbolism and show us Rebekah’s essential purpose in this story.(1:31:10) We can accept the responsibility of the Abrahamic Covenant by sharing the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jacob’s story emphasizes the importance of keeping the covenant in the family first.(1:36:46) The geopolitical situation between Judah and Israel may have influenced the text.(1:38:29) The Book of Mormon teaches that when we treat family like the enemy, we open the door to the real enemy.(1:39:42) “Jacob’s Ladder” can be viewed as a heavenly vision of the Lord. Bethel as a representation of modern-day temples.(1:47:56) Jacob meets Rachel at a well. The matriarchs are often associated with water.(1:50:02) Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah first since she is the older sister. He then marries Rachel, but serves 7 years for her because he loves her. The challenges of plural marriage.(1:53:47) The image of opening a mother’s womb as a manifestation of heavenly power. The sanctity of life is very important to God.(1:58:30) The names of the children of Israel are puns that expose the rivalry between the sisters Rachel and Leah.(2:06:20) Faith in God includes faith in his timing, even for righteous desires. God remembered Rachel and he will remember you.(2:09:11) The Lord (or an angel) tells Jacob to leave Haran. Jacob and Laban hold a contest regarding the fertility of their flocks. Rachel hides Laban’s “household gods.”(2:14:41) Jacob’s reconciliation with Laban through a covenant.(2:18:38) Jacob asks God for a blessing to endure well and reconcile with Esau in Genesis 32. Jacob wrestles with a “man” or God. A comparison between Jacob’s wrestle in Genesis and Enos’ wrestle in the Book of Mormon.(2:25:06) Jacob’s name is changed to Israel, which can mean “let God prevail.” We also receive a new name when we become followers of Christ and in other times of our lives. The symbol of the embrace. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 361 | Genesis 24-33, Come Follow Me 2026 (March 2-8) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.
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    2 hrs and 32 mins
  • Ep 360 | Genesis 18-23, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 23-March 1)

    Ep 360 | Genesis 18-23, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 23-March 1)
    Feb 19 2026

    → Watch on YouTube

    → Detailed Show Notes

    → Timestamps:
    (00:00) An overview of these chapters.
    (02:05) Abraham’s prophetic call and the symbolism of the mighty tree with sacred associations.
    (13:26) “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
    (14:00) Hebrew word play with laugh, rejoice, and Isaac’s name. Doubts and hopes are tied together in this story.
    (16:36) Abraham bargains with the Lord for Sodom and Gomorrah to be saved because he knows the mercy of God.
    (23:25) The story of Sodom and Gomorrah also portrays God’s justice.
    (24:34) Lot makes efforts to save his family from destruction in Genesis 19.
    (29:33) Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom cost him his family.
    (33:41) The troubling narrative of Lot’s two daughters and the cave in Genesis 19.30-38.
    (38:22) Beauty for ashes in Isaiah 61.3. Through tragic experiences, beauty can come to pass. Your origin story is not who you are.
    (41:48) Genesis 20 is a triplet of the same story. This chapter introduces the Elohist’s narrative, a source text most likely related to Lehi’s Brass Plates text.
    (43:04) The long-promised day finally comes and Isaac is born. We should trust and have faith in promises that take time to be fulfilled. The Song of Sarah.
    (44:57) Hagar and Ishmael are cast out of Abraham’s household and they wander in the wilderness. Their water runs out and God shows her a well of water. God helps us, but also wants us to do all we can.
    (55:22) Complexities, gaps, and anachronisms in Genesis 21. A covenant, a sacred well, and a tree at Beer-sheba are illustrations of temple imagery, connecting the Patriarchs to figures of the temple and visionary experiences.
    (58:41) The burial of Sarah in Genesis 23. Different ways to read Abraham’s “mourning” and “weeping” for Sarah.
    (1:03:00) The Lord asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac upon Mount Moriah, the foundation stone, Jerusalem’s most sacred ground.
    (1:06:47) We are here to be tested. We will have trials of faith equal to Abraham’s.
    (1:11:05) Isaac is an excellent type of Jesus Christ. Elder Melvin J. Ballard shares his feelings regarding Heavenly Father sacrificing his Son.

    → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here.

    → Enroll in Institute

    → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook

    The post Ep 360 | Genesis 18-23, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 23-March 1) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Ep 359 | Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 16-22)

    Ep 359 | Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 16-22)
    Feb 12 2026

    → 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.
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    1 hr and 23 mins
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