Scholarship, context and study plans for Come, Follow Me
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 1:18
Come, Follow Me · Old Testament 2026 · Week 17
“All That the Lord Hath Spoken We Will Do”
April 20–26, 2026Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–347 chapters · 180 verses
At Sinai, the Lord offers Israel a covenant: “Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me … a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” He speaks the Ten Commandments from the mountain, and the people promise, “All that the LORD hath said will we do.” Forty days later they're dancing around a golden calf. Moses breaks the tablets, pleads for his people, and the Lord reveals Himself as “merciful and gracious.”
Chapter
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The text shown is the King James Version, the Church's preferred English Bible for classes and meetings. The General Handbook lists the ESV and NRSV as helpful translations for ages 14 and up. They are copyrighted, so they open on their publishers' sites. Highlighted verses have a study note with links to compare that verse.
Study guide
Sinai is where Israel became a covenant people. These notes show how the covenant was made, broken and renewed, and what the Restoration adds.
How to read this week
Read it as a covenant story. Offer (ch. 19), terms (ch. 20), acceptance and ceremony (ch. 24), breach (ch. 32), intercession (chs. 32–33), renewal (ch. 34).
Notice Israel's fear. The Lord wanted to meet the whole people (19:10–11), but they asked Moses to go instead (20:18–19). D&C 84:19–25 explains what was lost.
Read the Ten Commandments in two parts. The first four concern our relationship with God; the last six, our relationships with others. Jesus summarized them as the two great commandments (Matthew 22:37–40).
Watch Moses intercede. In chapters 32–34 he pleads for Israel again and again. He's a type of Christ, the great Mediator.
Use the Joseph Smith Translation. Footnotes for 33:20 and 34:1–2 change how these chapters read.
Israel at Sinai
Third month — Israel arrives at Sinai (19:1)
Three days — The people prepare; God descends on the mount (19:10–20)
The law — Ten Commandments spoken (ch. 20)
The covenant — Blood of the covenant; elders see God (ch. 24)
Forty days — Moses on the mount; tablets given (24:18; 31:18)
The calf — Covenant broken; tablets shattered (ch. 32)
Renewal — New tablets; the Lord's name proclaimed (ch. 34)
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
Exod 19:4
Eagles' wings
God carrying His people to Himself.
Exod 19:10
Washing clothes
Preparing to stand in God's presence.
Exod 24:8
Blood of the covenant
Fulfilled in the Savior's atoning blood (Matthew 26:28).
Exod 31:13
The Sabbath
A sign of the covenant between God and His people.
Exod 32:4
Golden calf
Worshipping a god of our own making.
Exod 32:19
Broken tablets
A broken covenant.
Exod 34:29
Shining face
Reflecting God's glory after being in His presence.
Restoration connections
D&C 84:19–27 — Moses sought to sanctify Israel so they could see God; they hardened their hearts, and the higher priesthood was taken.
Mosiah 12–13 — Abinadi teaches the Ten Commandments to King Noah's priests.
D&C 59:9–13 — Latter-day revelation on keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Moses 1:1–11 — Moses sees God face to face and learns he could do so only when transfigured.
Questions for the week
What does it mean to you to be the Lord's “peculiar treasure” (19:5)?
How do you prepare for sacred experiences like the sacrament or the temple (19:10–11)?
Which of the Ten Commandments most needs your attention right now?
What “golden calves” compete for your loyalty today?
How does the Lord's description of Himself in 34:6–7 affect how you approach Him after you sin?
Conference talks & Church resources
Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.
Scholarly papers
Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.
Podcasts & video
Come, Follow Me shows and episodes covering this week's reading.