Talking Scripture

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Tours with Mike (00:00) Contrasting the symbols of the faithful woman and the unfaithful woman in John’s Revelation and in the writings of Isaiah.(08:02) Isaiah 57 can be seen as a subversion of the Babylonian New Year temple rites.(12:29) Jehovah is portrayed as the faithful husband of Israel in Isaiah 50. This chapter is a message of hope to the returning exiles.(18:26) Jacob quotes Isaiah 50-51 to his people in 2 Nephi 6-10. His words are connected to themes of the Fall Festival.(28:22) Israel is told to awake and put on her strength in Isaiah 51. She is to remember the rock from which she is hewn. These are symbols of coming back into God’s presence.(36:34) Isaiah 52 continues the Great Exchange, as Babylon and Zion switch places. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that publishes peace.” The king’s feet are established and Israel will sing and see eye to eye.(44:54) The JST of Isaiah 52.15 changes the word “sprinkle” to “gather.” Kings will shut their mouths at the presence of Christ, the Great King.(48:33) Isaiah 53 is the heart of this week’s message and a powerful witness of Jesus Christ. “Who hath believed our report? To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” The core of Abinadi’s message is Isaiah 53.(52:16) Jesus knows our pain and sorrows. “We did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”(57:58) “Who shall declare his generation?” (Isa. 53.8). The saints of God are to declare the physical descent of Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God.(1:01:48) “When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed” (Isa. 53.10). The Savior saw us during his agony in Gethsemane. He also saw his seed in the Spirit World.(1:09:58) God speaks of his great love for Israel in Isa. 54.8. His love is shown as a mother’s love for her newborn child.(1:11:49) The “waters of Noah” (Isa. 54.9) can be read as a promise that when we become a Zion people, Zion will return from heaven.(1:16:33) All have been invited to the feast. God goes after the outcasts of Israel to bring them home. “Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters” (Isa. 55.1). → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 392 | Isaiah 50-57, Come Follow Me 2026 (Oct 5-11) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Tours with Mike (00:00) In these chapters the Lord comforts and gives hope to Israel. He promises that he will never abandon us.(03:15) King Hezekiah seeks the Lord’s advice through the prophet Isaiah as Assyria approaches Jerusalem.(11:12) In whom do you place your trust? King Benjamin invites us to remember the greatness of God.(15:13) Isaiah 40 can be read as a temple text. Isaiah sees the council of divine beings in heaven.(24:00) The Lord gives encouragement to Israel, and reminds them that he has always been there through their trials.(35:34) The four Servant Songs contained in Isaiah.(40:04) Different interpretations of “Who is blind, but my servant?” The Joseph Smith Translation opens up other ways to read this servant song.(44:40) The Lord proclaims his loyalty to Israel, saying “I will do a new thing.”(50:07) Isaiah warns of idolatry and contrasts Jehovah with the Babylonian god Marduk. He emphasizes that the God of Israel carries us, but the Babylonian god must be carried.(53:29) Isaiah prophesies of Cyrus, the king of Persia. Cyrus is portrayed as a deliverer because he allowed the Jews to go home to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.(56:58) How the Cyrus prophecy is understood in scholarship. A middle path for approaching “Second Isaiah.”(1:00:19) Isaiah foretells the destruction of Babylon. Babylon leaves the throne and Zion takes her place.(1:06:27) The prophecy of the House of Israel in the last days. Isaiah shapes his argument in “the covenant treaty formula.”(1:08:20) The Lord tells Israel, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”(1:12:07) The House of Jacob has come out of the waters of Judah.(1:17:01) The Book of Mormon adds the significant phrase “the feet of those who are in the east shall be established” in 1 Nephi 21.13. Some see this as evidence of Isaiah being edited.(1:20:30) Israel has lost her children, but her children will be gathered again. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 391 | Isaiah 40-49, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 28-Oct 4) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes (00:00) Nephi’s keys to understanding Isaiah.(02:23) The destruction of Babylon is prophesied. Woes are proclaimed to the nations round about Judah.(07:50) The King of Babylon is seen in vision as a type of Lucifer, son of the morning.(15:35) The Great Exchange. Babylon and Israel change places as Babylon sits on the ground and Israel takes the throne.(19:49) Isaiah’s code speech has various interpretations. The politics of Isaiah’s day are used to teach deeper truths.(23:51) Chapters 15-21.(26:05) Eliakim replaces Shebna as Hezekiah’s servant in Isaiah 22. Eliakim is described as “a nail in a sure place,” which has reference to Jesus and his trustworthiness.(35:28) Isaiah predicts the destruction of the merchant city of Tyre.(36:49) Desolation and victory. The earth will be cleansed and the wicked will be destroyed, but the righteous will be spared. After it is cleansed, the Lord will reign in Zion.(40:25) God remembers and gives power to those those that wait for him.(43:24) The Book of Revelation contains parallel images of the faithful bride of Christ and the whore of all the earth.(48:12) The drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot.(50:29) The strong city and the lofty city are compared by Isaiah. Isaiah sees the saints of past ages that have brought forth the spirit of our salvation. All will rise in the resurrection.(56:28) Isaiah 27 presents images of God slaying the dragon in the sea and Israel blossoming and prospering.(57:51) The parable of God’s plan in history working with fitches, cummin, wheat, barley, and rie. Those who come to earth with unfavorable circumstances will have a gentler judgement. God will account for our degree of difficulty.(1:06:27) The coming forth of a sealed book, The Book of Mormon, is a marvelous work and a wonder. The book is sealed to those who are unwilling to read it.(1:15:36) Judah is reproved for turning to surrounding nations for help. The Lord tells the king to not rely on the flesh. Isaiah promises that God will defend and preserve his people.(1:19:38) Isaiah 34 is a prophecy against Idumea, or the people of Edom. Isaiah 35 speaks of a day of restoration, where the desert will blossom and the Lord will be victorious. The ransomed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 390 | Isaiah 13-35, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 21-27) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes (00:00) Isaiah lived in the 8th century, a time that began in relative peace but later led to great destruction under the conquest of the Assyrian empire, which destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. Isaiah was an advisor to several kings and lived about 100 years before Nephi. Micah, Amos, and Hosea are contemporaries of Isaiah.(10:52) Jesus quoted Isaiah and encouraged the Nephites to study his words. Isaiah was the most quoted prophet among the New Testament authors, and his works were important to the Qumran community.(13:02) Ways to enhance your study of Isaiah.(20:28) A brief overview of the entire book of Isaiah.(23:13) A brief overview of chapters 1-12.(25:31) The Israelites are described as apostate and rebellious. The Lord asks that they “reason together,” saying that “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”(31:53) Isaiah uses metals as a metaphor for people. When he describes the silver as dross, this could carry different meanings. Isaiah stresses that “a remnant will return.” Isaiah 1 reflects the destruction enacted by the Assyrians.(40:07) Isaiah sees the future latter-day temple in the tops of the mountains. The temple established in Jerusalem represents the millennial hope of peace. He prophesies that the idols people worship will be cast into caves, to the moles and the bats.(45:39) The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness. Isaiah discusses three missing objects: the staff, clothing, and the bread. These items can be associated with the temple in Isaiah’s day.(54:33) The parable of the vineyard portrays several ways the Lord will bless us when we follow him.(1:09:15) Isaiah sees the Lord and is called as a prophet.(1:15:13) Isaiah is commanded to “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”(1:21:32) Political intrigue and foreign policy issues facilitate Isaiah’s prophecy of three special children.(1:33:40) The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. The King of Assyria is going to be destroyed, just as he destroyed other nations.(1:36:49) The procession of Assyria’s forces approaching Jerusalem is illustrated. The remnant of Jacob will return in the last days.(1:39:50) Isaiah sees a tree cut down, leaving only a stump. Though this tree seems dead, Isaiah sees that it will come back to life and a new tree will grow out of the stump. The prophet Joseph Smith has a prominent role in the rebuilding of the tree.(1:42:54) Isaiah sees that peace and order will be restored in the millennial day and that broken things will be healed. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 389 | Isaiah 1-12, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 14-20) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes (00:00) Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are sometimes referred to as “Wisdom Literature.” These texts may have developed during the period of the monarchy. Proverbs shows some Egyptian influence.(07:44) The big picture of Proverbs: Do I seek wisdom? Wisdom is portrayed as feminine and is a Tree of Life to all who lay hold upon her.(24:04) The Wisdom Tradition clarifies the difference between the wise person and the fool. Many parallels exist between Nephi and Proverbs, as Nephi was trained in the Wisdom Tradition.(31:00) Truth and goodness are found in so many religions and cultures. We can cultivate holy envy and compare bests with bests when discussing other religious traditions.(34:22) The “Strange Woman” described in Proverbs can be seen as a type of the evils mankind should avoid, as her paths lead to death.(35:24) Whoever finds wisdom finds life unto their soul. Wisdom speaks of her companionship with God during the creation.(44:44) Who can find a virtuous woman? This can be interpreted as finding wisdom or as being a woman of strength and power.(48:57) The dominant theme in Ecclesiastes is that all is vanity or “hevel”, meaning that everything on this earth is temporary and fleeting. A valuable lesson we can take from this is to focus our time and energy on what matters most.(54:03) The authorship of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon, but can also be dated to a later time period.(1:03:01) Ecclesiastes 12 contains evidence of a later editor reshaping the final message of the book, where it is concluded that the only activity of lasting and permanent value comes from obedience to God’s commandments. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 388 | Proverbs; Ecclesiastes, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 7-13) appeared first on Talking Scripture.