BYU professor Josh Sears on understanding and using Bible translations
Church News
Church News
4.8 • 873 Ratings
🗓️ 6 January 2026
⏱️ 46 minutes
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Summary
As Latter-day Saints study the Old Testament as part of the 2026 “Come, Follow Me” curriculum, a General Handbook update provides guidance on using different editions and translations of the Holy Bible. On this Church News podcast, Brigham Young University associate professor of ancient scripture, Josh Sears, joins Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to discuss the flexibility in using Bible translations in home and Church studies, helping members understand doctrine and seek truth in the sacred works.
The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | But what I love is that the scriptures, at the end of the day, they're not the end-all-be-all of my discipleship. |
| 0:13.0 | It's Jesus Christ. And when I learn to use the scriptures as a tool or a window or some way to connect with the Savior, that's where they |
| 0:23.6 | have their greatest power. And I'm excited for the Old Testament year coming up because |
| 0:27.6 | we believe, as modern prophets have taught, that the Lord in the Old Testament, or Jehovah, the God of Israel, |
| 0:33.6 | is the premortal Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful opportunity we have to be able to learn about him. |
| 0:39.3 | Just stories left and right of Jehovah, teaching people, correcting people, saving people, giving revelation to people. |
| 0:48.3 | And as we go out throughout this year, this is just a wonderful opportunity to see Jesus as the God of Israel |
| 0:56.1 | making covenants and keeping the covenants that he has made and being faithful to his people. |
| 1:06.8 | This is John Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News. Welcome to the Church News podcast. |
| 1:12.8 | Today we're taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| 1:24.9 | Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be studying the Old Testament in |
| 1:29.1 | 2026 as part of their Come Follow Me study. |
| 1:31.9 | In December of 2025, the church provided new guidance on the use of different editions |
| 1:36.3 | and translations of the Holy Bible. |
| 1:38.4 | This update was published in the church's general handbook and allows greater flexibility |
| 1:42.2 | in use of the Bible in home and church studies, |
| 1:45.7 | helping members understand doctrine and seek truth in various sacred works. |
| 1:49.9 | On this episode of the Church News podcast, Professor Josh Sears, an associate professor |
| 1:54.2 | of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, shares his insights into the various |
| 1:58.6 | translations of the Bible and how the Old Testament bears witness of the Savior with teachings applicable today and how it can all be understood through the Spirit of God. |
| 2:07.3 | Professor Sears, thanks for joining us today on the Church News podcast. |
| 2:09.4 | Thanks for having me. I'm so excited. |
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