Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026

By Elder Ronald A. RasbandOf the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesTake heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear.

By Michelle D. CraigFirst Counselor in the Young Women General PresidencyThrough the power of the Holy Ghost, Christ will enable us to see ourselves and see others as He does.

By President Henry B. EyringFirst Counselor in the First PresidencyOur power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.

(2 Kings 5:1-14) Naaman is healed by following the prophets counsel.

By Elder L. Whitney ClaytonOf the Presidency of the SeventyWhen we decide to do “whatsoever [God] saith unto” us, we earnestly commit to align our everyday behavior with God’s will.

By Sister Andrea Muñoz SpannausSecond Counselor in the Young Women General PresidencyTo listen to and obey the voice of the prophet is crucial to holding on to every good thing until the Second Coming.

By President Russell M. NelsonPresident of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsI would like to suggest five specific actions we can take to help us maintain positive spiritual momentum.Pay special attention to Suggestion number 4: Seek and expect miracles.

Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria—The Syrian hosts flee at a noise of battle and leave their possessions—Israel takes spoil from the Syrians.

Elisha causes an ax to float—He reveals to the king how to conduct a war with Syria—Horses and chariots of fire protect Elisha—The Syrians are smitten with blindness—Benhadad besieges Samaria, and foodstuff sells for a great price.

Naaman, the Syrian, comes to Elisha to be healed of leprosy—He rejects the prophet’s instruction at first but relents and dips himself in the Jordan seven times; he is healed—Elisha refuses to accept a reward—Gehazi accepts a gift from Naaman and is cursed with leprosy.

Elisha multiplies the widow’s oil—He promises a son to a Shunammite woman—The child dies and is raised to life by Elisha—He makes the poisonous food harmless—Bread and grain are multiplied for the people to eat.

Jehoram of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah join forces against Moab—Elisha promises them water for their animals and victory in the war—The Moabites are defeated.

Elisha and the prophets know that Elijah is to be translated—Elijah divides the waters of the Jordan and is taken up into heaven in a whirlwind—The mantle of Elijah falls on Elisha, who also divides the waters of the Jordan—Elisha heals the waters of Jericho—Youths are torn by bears for mocking Elisha.

A prophet’s main mission is to teach and testify of the Savior Jesus Christ. Our record of the prophet Elisha, however, doesn’t include much of his teaching or testifying. What the record does include is the miracles Elisha performed, including raising a child from the dead (see 2 Kings 4:18–37), feeding a multitude with just a little food (see 2 Kings 4:42–44), and healing a leper (see 2 Kings 5:1–14). So while we don’t have Elisha’s words about Christ, we do have Elisha’s ministry and miracles, which do testify of Christ. They are powerful manifestations of the Lord’s life-giving, nourishing, and healing power. Miracles happen more often in our lives than we sometimes realize. To see them, we need to seek the faith Elisha had when he prayed on behalf of his fearful young servant: “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).For more information about 2 Kings, see “Kings, books of” in the Bible Dictionary.

(1 Kings 17) During a time of famine, the prophet Elijah rewards the faith of Zarephath with food.

Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonQuorum of the Twelve ApostlesWorldwide Devotional for Young Adults

Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab of Israel join forces against Syria—Ahab’s prophets foretell success—Micaiah foretells the defeat and death of Ahab—Ahab is slain and dogs lick up his blood—Jehoshaphat reigns in righteousness in Judah—Ahaziah reigns in Israel and serves Baal.

Ahab desires the vineyard of Naboth—Jezebel arranges for false witnesses, and Naboth is stoned for blasphemy—Elijah prophesies that Ahab and Jezebel and their house will be destroyed.

Benhadad of Syria makes war with Israel—The Syrians are defeated twice—Ahab lets Benhadad go free, contrary to the will of the Lord.

Jezebel seeks the life of Elijah—An angel sends him to Horeb—The Lord speaks to Elijah, not in the wind nor the earthquake nor the fire, but in a still, small voice—Elisha joins Elijah.

Elijah is sent to meet Ahab—Obadiah saves a hundred prophets and meets Elijah—Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to call down fire from heaven—They fail—He calls down fire, slays the prophets of Baal, and opens the heavens for rain.

Elijah seals the heavens and is fed by the ravens—At his command the barrel of flour and the jar of oil of the widow of Zarephath never become empty—He raises her son from death.

Jeroboam is smitten and then healed by a prophet from Judah—The prophet delivers his message, is led astray by a prophet from Bethel, and is slain by a lion for his disobedience—Jeroboam continues false worship in Israel.

Rehoboam seeks to impose greater burdens upon the people—The ten tribes revolt and turn to Jeroboam—Jeroboam turns to idolatry and worships false gods.

The house of Israel was in disarray. The kingdom had divided, with ten tribes forming the Northern Kingdom of Israel and two tribes forming the Southern Kingdom of Judah. But worse than their separation from each other was both kingdoms’ separation from their covenants. Wicked kings led the people away from the Lord, and many people wavered in their faith.In this setting, the Lord called Elijah to be a prophet. His life shows that a person can have great faith in the Lord even in bad circumstances. Sometimes the Lord responds to such faith with impressive, public miracles, like fire falling from heaven. But He also works quiet, private miracles, like feeding a faithful widow and her son. And most often the Lord’s miracles are so individual that they are known only to one person—for example, when the Lord reveals Himself to you through “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).For more about Elijah, see “Elijah” in the Bible Dictionary.

By President Henry B. EyringSecond Counselor in the First PresidencyIt is in the temple that we can receive the assurance of loving family connections that will continue after death and last for eternity.

See how a moment’s decision can have far-reaching consequences—for good or bad.

By Elder Ulisses SoaresOf the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesFighting against temptation takes a lifetime of diligence and faithfulness. But please know that the Lord is ready to assist us.

(2 Samuel 11) Elder Dallin H. Oaks relates the story of King David to illustrate the dangers of pornography.

Solomon marries non-Israelite women, and his wives turn his heart to the worship of false gods—The Lord stirs up adversaries against him, including Jeroboam, the son of Nebat—Ahijah promises Jeroboam that he will be the king of the ten tribes—Solomon dies and Rehoboam reigns in his stead.

The Lord again appears to Solomon—The Lord promises great blessings if the Israelites are obedient and great cursings if they forsake Him—Solomon reigns in splendor, levies tribute upon the non-Israelites, and builds a navy of ships.

The ark, containing the two tablets of stone, is placed in the Holy of Holies—The glory of the Lord fills the temple—Solomon offers the dedicatory prayer—He asks for temporal and spiritual blessings upon repentant and prayerful Israel—The people sacrifice and worship for fourteen days.

Solomon builds himself a house—Hiram of Tyre makes the two pillars, the molten sea, the ten bases, the ten lavers, and all the vessels for the temple—The molten sea (baptismal font) rests on the backs of twelve oxen.

Solomon builds the temple—The Lord promises to dwell among the Israelites if they are obedient—The ornaments of the temple are described.

Solomon loves the Lord and keeps His commandments—The Lord appears to Solomon and promises him a wise and an understanding heart—He judges between two harlots and determines who is the mother of a child.

Nathan tells David the parable of the ewe lamb—The Lord gave many wives to David, who is now cursed for taking Bathsheba—David fasts and prays for his son, but the Lord takes him—Solomon is born—David conquers the royal city of the Ammonites.

David lies with Bathsheba, and she conceives—He then arranges for the death in battle of her husband, Uriah.

Saul, David, and Solomon, the first three kings of Israel, all started out with so much promise. Humble, courageous, and wise, they each found favor with the Lord—at least at first. Sadly, each king also gave in to human weaknesses and temptation. They put their own desires before the Lord’s. And as we’ve seen over and over in the scriptures—and in our own lives—that led to tragedy.But something important happened during the reign of Solomon that provided some hope for stability in the lives of the covenant people. Solomon built a temple. It was to be a more permanent house of the Lord than the tabernacle had been. And it would represent a more permanent presence of the Lord among His people. Solomon knew that the people would continue to face weakness and trials of various kinds. In dedicating the new holy house, Solomon pleaded with the Lord, “If they … return unto thee with all their heart, … then hear thou their prayer” (1 Kings 8:47–48). That’s part of what temple covenants do for us—they create a connection to God. They secure for us the promise that through our repentance and His mercy, He can “dwell among [us]” and never forsake us (1 Kings 6:13).For an overview of the book of 1 Kings, see “Kings, books of” in the Bible Dictionary.

By Sister Kristin M. YeeSecond Counselor in the Relief Society General PresidencyTo live in such a way that you give beauty for the ashes of your life is an act of faith that follows the Savior.

By Elder Mark A. BraggOf the Seventy“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).

By Sister Andrea Muñoz SpannausSecond Counselor in the Young Women General PresidencyBy His hand, you will be able to bring down every Goliath that appears in your life.

By Elder Dallin H. OaksOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

By Camille N. JohnsonPrimary General PresidentLet your narrative be one of faith, following your Exemplar, the Savior Jesus Christ.

David offers to build a house for the Lord—The Lord, through Nathan, says He has not asked David to do so—The Lord will establish David’s house and kingdom forever—David offers a prayer of thanksgiving.

David takes the ark to the city of David—Uzzah is smitten for steadying the ark and dies—David dances before the Lord, causing a breach between him and Michal.

All Israel anoints David king—He takes Jerusalem and is blessed of the Lord—He conquers the Philistines.

David again spares Saul’s life—He again refuses to stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed—Saul and David separate.

Samuel dies—Nabal rebuffs David and refuses to give him food—Abigail intercedes, saves Nabal, and gives David a present—David is pacified, Nabal dies, and David marries Abigail.

David finds Saul in a cave and spares his life—Saul confesses that David is more righteous than he—David swears that he will not cut off the seed of Saul.

Jonathan loves David—Saul sets David over his armies—David is honored by the people, and Saul becomes jealous—David marries Michal, a daughter of Saul.