Episodes

In Exodus 19–20, God invites Israel into a covenant relationship built on trust, not transaction. Avram Shannon explores how this covenant was meant to shape Israel into “a kingdom of priests” and what that vision means for us today as we learn to trust God—before we even know what He will ask.

What does it mean to praise God—and why does it matter? In this episode, Rosalynde Welch explores the powerful poetry of Exodus 15, the “Song of the Sea,” where Moses, Miriam, and the Israelites respond to deliverance with music, dance, and exultant praise. Drawing on scripture, poetry, and theology, she suggests that praise is more than a commandment or a ritual—it is a way of seeing the world. From the chaos of the sea to the quiet rhythms of modern worship, this reflection invites listeners t...

In this week’s Old Testament Reflection, Kristian Heal explores the meaning and power of the question posed in Exodus 12:26: “And when your children ask you…” Drawing on the Exodus story, Heal reflects on what he calls the Bible’s tradition of prophetic audacity—the insistence that God is mightier than any empire, obstacle, or fear. This episode considers how story and ritual work together to sustain faith across generations. In Exodus 12, narrative gives way to law, memory becomes embodied in r...

What happens when children ask, “Why do we do this?” In this reflective episode, Kristian Heal explores Exodus 12:26 and the powerful relationship between story, ritual, and memory in the life of faith. From the dramatic deliverance of Israel in the Exodus to the quiet, repeated practices that keep that story alive across generations, this episode considers how sacred traditions are designed not just to remember the past—but to shape the future. Heal examines how narrative and ritual work togeth...

The story of the Exodus begins not with miracles or plagues, but with acts of quiet courage. In this Old Testament Reflection on Exodus 1–6, Rosalynde Welch explores the network of women who ensure the survival of the infant Moses—midwives, a mother, a sister, a princess, and a wife—each acting at great personal risk to preserve a life that will one day help liberate a people. Welch reflects on how these early chapters of Exodus reveal a deeper pattern in sacred history: God’s saving work often ...

In this study of Genesis 42–50, Kristian Heal explores themes of chosenness, favoritism, recognition, and reconciliation in the Joseph narrative, examining how hidden identity, repentance, and divine providence shape the theological meaning of the story.

How should we read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–41? This essay examines four distinct approaches—ancient Jewish narrative expansions, early Christian typology, Latter-day Saint restoration readings, and contemporary biblical scholarship—to reveal the richness and complexity of scripture across time.

Jacob’s nighttime wrestle in Genesis 32 ends not in triumph, but in a limp—and a blessing that changes everything. Kim Matheson explores how weakness, ambiguity, and encounter with God prepare Jacob for reconciliation in ways his cleverness never could.

What do we do when scripture makes us uncomfortable? In this reflection on Genesis 18–23, Katie Paxman considers the story of Abraham and Isaac through the lens of empathy, friendship with God, and the courage to feel. Rather than rushing toward tidy theological explanations, she invites readers to linger in sacred discomfort—and discover how God may be teaching us through it.

Terryl Givens reflects on Genesis 15 and its profound connection to the everlasting covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through a striking and singular sacrificial ritual, Abraham witnesses a symbol of divine passage—a pattern later realized when Christ consecrated “a new and living way” through the veil of His own flesh. Givens traces how this imagery helps illuminate the Restoration’s temple theology, where disciples move step by step through covenantal life toward adoption, sanctification, an...

Dr. Jamie Jensen explores Genesis 6–11 and Moses 8 through both scientific understanding and spiritual insight. Drawing on her work at the intersection of faith and science, she examines how the “confounding of languages” in our modern discourse can distract from the core messages of Noah’s story—God’s love, prophetic warning, covenant obedience, and our responsibility to care for His creations. With personal experiences, scientific context, and heartfelt reflection, Jensen invites listeners to ...

Evolutionary ecologist and novelist Steven Peck brings scientific reasoning, theological imagination, and Restoration scripture into conversation as he examines one of the most striking scenes in all scripture—God weeping in Moses 7. Peck challenges traditional readings that frame God as the direct cause of suffering and instead portrays a compassionate Deity who mourns with creation and calls His children to alleviate pain alongside Him. Thoughtful, probing, and deeply pastoral, this reflection...

In this episode, we explore the profound meaning behind Eve’s name and her pivotal role in the story of humankind. Drawing on linguistic insights, ancient Hebrew, and Restoration scripture, scholar Morgan Davis uncovers how the original sound and symbolism of Ḥawwah—Eve—reveal a richer, more hopeful understanding of the first mother. We’ll examine how modern Bible translations shed light on wordplay long hidden in English, how divine breath and life echo through the Genesis narrative, and why Ad...

In this author-read episode, Steven C. Harper explores the creation accounts found in Genesis, the Book of Moses, and the Book of Abraham, using the idea of “noise” in communication to explain why scripture can be difficult to interpret. He introduces a Restoration-based hermeneutic—the tools and practices Joseph Smith used to read the Bible with reverence, honesty about its limits, and openness to revelation. Listeners will be guided through: How language and culture affect our reading of Genes...

Explore the meaning of Moses 1:39 and the concept of God’s “work and glory” in this episode of Old Testament Reflections. Philip Barlow examines the theological depth of immortality and eternal life, the significance of “glory” in scripture, and how these ideas shape Latter-day Saint understanding of God’s purpose. Perfect for listeners interested in Restoration scripture, biblical interpretation, and faith-based insights.

What do fast and testimony meetings and the Old Testament have in common? Both invite us to listen to a rich diversity of voices—each with its own perspective on God and life. In this episode, Joshua Sears explores how the varied experiences shared in Latter-day Saint worship mirror the multiplicity of viewpoints found in scripture. From contrasting creation accounts to differing attitudes toward foreign nations, the Old Testament challenges us to expand our understanding of God through the lens...