Talking Scripture

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(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.

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The post Ep 390 | Isaiah 13-35, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 21-27) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

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(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.

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The post Ep 389 | Isaiah 1-12, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 14-20) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

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(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.

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The post Ep 388 | Proverbs; Ecclesiastes, Come Follow Me 2026 (Sept 7-13) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

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(00:00) A brief overview of these psalms.
(01:32) Psalm 89 portrays God’s power of creation and his justice. Assurances are made to the anointed king that the seed of David will continue with a promise of victory. The last 14 verses are a lament that the king has been forsaken.
(07:15) Psalm 93 teaches that the Lord is mightier than the waters, with a description of him overcoming chaos in his acts of creation.
(09:14) In Psalm 102 the righteous pray for deliverance. Psalm 115 helps us understand Psalm 102, as they both relate to death and resurrection.
(17:23) In Psalm 116 we are assured that God will redeem mankind from death and sorrow and will one day wipe away our tears.
(24:10) Psalm 103 describes how the Lord’s people rejected him, yet the Lord showed them pity. Much of the Old Testament reflects a post exilic view of God that can be negative. This Psalm shows the lovingkindness of God. Lehi describes the essence of the original Hebrew of this psalm when he says “I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.” Knowing God’s true character, nature, and perfections lead us unto salvation.
(31:51) Psalm 105 portrays God’s redemptive work with the children of Israel and the story of the Exodus.
(34:13) Psalm 110, “Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Different ways to read Psalm 110 in its historical context and in connection with King Benjamin’s sermon. Psalm 110 and Psalm 2 both teach about becoming sons and daughters of Christ.
(45:37) Psalm 118.22, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” In the Book of Mormon we are warned against rejecting the Messiah, who sits on the right hand of God. Sometimes the Savior does not meet our preconceived expectations.
(55:07) Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, a prayer to God, and one the longest of the psalms.
(1:02:35) Psalms 120-134 are 15 “psalms of ascent,” relating to the Water-Drawing Ceremony at the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus used this imagery to teach about his power to save.
(1:08:21) In Psalm 127 we are reminded that children are an heritage of the Lord.
(1:12:52) Psalm 135 elaborates upon Israel’s history from the pre-earth Council in Heaven to King David.
(1:16:16) Psalm 136 begins in the premortal Council, reiterates the creation, and then Israel’s Exodus. God’s mercy endures forever.
(1:17:39) Psalm 137 is an emotionally moving exilic psalm lamenting the destruction of the temple.
(1:23:34) Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving prayer of praise. Psalm 139 expresses the king’s worthiness to approach God at the veil of the temple.
(1:24:30) Psalm 146 expresses the message of the work Jehovah would do. This was also the message of the angel to King Benjamin. Psalm 148 shows God’s power in his creative works.
(1:27:21) Psalms 149 and 150 emphasize the participatory nature of the First Israelite Temple Drama. Israel is to sing a new song praising God.

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The post Ep 387 | Psalms 102-150, Come Follow Me 2026 (Aug 31-Sept 6) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

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(00:00) A brief summary of the psalms.
(02:51) Psalm 49 can be read as a resurrection text. “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave.”
(09:20) Psalm 50 teaches that God will come and establish order and peace.
(11:53) Psalm 51 is a prayer asking for forgiveness and a new heart. Hesed is a word used to describe God’s lovingkindness, or his everlasting love. Repentance is rebuilding our relationship with the Savior.
(28:59) Psalm 61 can be read as a plea of the king before he goes out to battle and can be seen in the setting of the temple drama. Compared to God, we are nothing. The teaching of works is found here, but is often lost.
(33:32) To be built upon the Rock is emphasized in the Psalms and also in the Book of Mormon.
(41:43) Psalm 63 is a veil type-scene, as the king approaches the presence of God. “In the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice…thy right hand upholdeth me.” This psalm is connected to Malachi 4.
(52:10) Psalm 64 is a prayer for help. Psalm 65 is an expression of thanks for the abundant harvest feast and the blessing of water in the land.
(59:02) Psalm 66 is an example of how the sacred temple drama was participatory.
(1:03:31) Psalm 68 depicts God as one who loves the widows and the fatherless. It also portrays the battle between light and darkness.
(1:06:12) Psalm 69 teaches that God will bless and help us, but we are also here to be tested. “Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink.” Psalm 70 is a prayer to God for deliverance.
(1:09:35) Psalm 72 portrays the coronation of the king. Isaiah 61 contains all five essential parts of the ancient coronation ceremony.
(1:14:31) Psalm 74 shows God’s conflict with the dragon and the sea. Creation and order come out of chaos.
(1:15:32) Psalm 77 and 78 retell the story of Moses, a mighty king who carried Israel out of Egypt. This establishes his legitimacy and is tied to the temple drama and God’s sovereignty on earth. We must teach our children.
(1:21:03) Psalm 82 portrays the Council of the Gods, or the council before the world was. Jesus quotes this passage, “Ye are gods and children of the Most High.”
(1:27:13) Psalm 85 teaches that truth will spring out of the earth and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
(1:30:56) Psalm 86 highlights King David as he begs for forgiveness. David works to repent by reconnecting with God.

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

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The post Ep 386 | Psalms 49-86, Come Follow Me 2026 (August 24-30) appeared first on Talking Scripture.