Seeing the Old Testament Through Living Eyes

Sometimes, when we approach the scriptures—especially the Old Testament—there’s a weight to it. It feels ancient, dusty, and frankly, a little intimidating. We can get caught up in the sheer passage of time, thinking, "This was so long ago; how could I possibly connect with this?"

But I was reflecting this week on a conversation that really shifted my perspective, and it struck me that we often treat these foundational texts like museum pieces, rather than the vibrant, living accounts of people who believed in the same God we do.

It reminded me of a story about my own grandmother. When I was young, visiting the cemetery felt like a chore. I remember feeling disconnected from the solemnity, viewing the headstones as just markers of something "old." But then, I had a moment of realization while looking at those stones, and it hit me: these people, who lived centuries ago, were once young, vibrant, and deeply connected to their world.

This concept—seeing the *life* in the antiquity—is so vital as we study the Old Testament this year. It’s easy to forget that for the people described in Genesis, Exodus, or the writings of Nephi, their world was *real*. They were navigating real relationships, facing real moral dilemmas, and believing in the God who is still alive and active today.

The Old Testament: Not a Relic, But a Conversation

When we study the scriptures, we are learning about people who worshipped the same God that we do. They were interacting with Him, wrestling with covenants, and seeking guidance. When Nephi went back for the brass plates, he wasn't retrieving an artifact from a bygone era; he was accessing the core teachings of the covenant path.

This is the heart of being an internet missionary, isn't it? It’s realizing that the message isn't confined to a specific time or place. The principles taught in the Old Testament—faith, covenant keeping, the necessity of a Savior—are immediate. They are for us, right now, in our own time.

I encourage you, as we dive into these scriptures, to shift your lens. Don't read it as "what happened then." Read it as, "What does this teach us about the nature of God and the covenant path?" Imagine the emotions, the daily joys, the deep struggles of those people. They were living in color, just like us.

This realization changes everything. It makes the scriptures feel less like homework and more like a deeply personal conversation with the Savior, filtered through the experiences of those who walked before us.

If you want to hear more about this shift in perspective, I highly recommend listening to the full episode of the followHIM podcast. It really helps frame this idea of the scriptures being alive.

A Small Skill for Our Discipleship Journey

As we all strive to be more like Christ, one skill I’ve found helpful in my own missionary preparation is practicing "contextual empathy." When you read a difficult passage, pause and ask yourself: "What would it *feel* like to be in their shoes? What would be the most immediate, tangible need for them?" It moves us from academic study to heartfelt discipleship.

Keep applying that empathy to your studies, whether you're in a Book Club, working through a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, or just reading on your own. Remember, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time.

If you’re looking for more deep dives into scripture study, check out the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful place to see how others are wrestling with the same passages!

Have a wonderful week, and let’s keep sharing the light!