Latter-day Saint scripture study runs on a four-year cycle through the standard works. Done well, it weaves the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants into a single conversation. Done poorly, it becomes a reading checklist that stalls by February. This guide is the path to the first one.
The four-year Come Follow Me cycle
- Year 1: New Testament
- Year 2: Old Testament (with Pearl of Great Price)
- Year 3: Book of Mormon
- Year 4: Doctrine and Covenants
Each week has a scripture block (e.g. "Genesis 1–2"), Come Follow Me outline questions, and Sunday class material that matches. Sticking close to the weekly block keeps you synchronized with your ward and your family.
A weekly rhythm that actually sticks
- Monday — Family Home Evening: open with prayer and a hymn, walk through the week's Come Follow Me lesson, end with a short activity.
- Tuesday–Friday — Personal study, 10–20 minutes: read a chapter, mark it up, write 2–3 lines in a study journal.
- Saturday — Catch-up + cross-references: trace footnotes from the week's block into the Book of Mormon, D&C, and Bible Dictionary.
- Sunday — Sacrament meeting + class: Sunday School or Relief Society / Elders Quorum discussions land on that week's block.
How to study a chapter (the LDS way)
- Pray before opening the scriptures — even one sentence.
- Read the block slowly. Underline anything that stands out.
- Cross-reference: tap into the footnotes — Joseph Smith Translation, related Book of Mormon and D&C passages, Topical Guide entries.
- Apply: write one concrete thing you'll change this week.
- Share: bring one insight to FHE, ministering, or your ward class.
Studying the Bible alongside the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon repeatedly testifies of Christ and quotes Isaiah at length (2 Nephi 12–24 mirrors Isaiah 2–14). When you study Isaiah, read both versions side by side and note the variant readings. When you study the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), read 3 Nephi 12–14 in parallel — the differences are small and instructive.
Family Home Evening in 30 minutes
- 5 min — Opening hymn and prayer.
- 10 min — Lesson from the Come Follow Me weekly outline.
- 10 min — Activity tied to the lesson (game, service plan, testimony).
- 5 min — Closing prayer and a treat.
Tools that help
- Gospel Library app: official LDS scriptures, manuals, and Come Follow Me lessons.
- A paper journal: writing forces application that highlighting can't.
- Faith Common: read the same chapters with a wider Christian community, save notes, and discuss outside the bubble of one tradition.
Find a ward or branch
Use the Faith Common directory to find LDS wards and branches, community-of-Christ congregations, and other Restoration-tradition communities. Ward leaders can create a free public page with sacrament meeting times, ministering contacts, and visitor information.
Frequently asked questions
What is Come Follow Me?
Come Follow Me is the home-centered, Church-supported study curriculum for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It cycles through the standard works on a four-year rotation: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants (with the Pearl of Great Price woven in).
How do Latter-day Saints study the Bible?
LDS members typically use the King James Version with the Joseph Smith Translation footnotes and Bible Dictionary in the back of the LDS scriptures. Study often pairs Bible passages with related Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price references using the cross-reference footnotes.
How long should a daily scripture study session be?
Start with 10 focused minutes. Consistency beats marathon sessions. Many LDS families do 15–20 minutes together in the morning or evening using the Come Follow Me weekly outline, plus personal study for adults and teens.
What is Family Home Evening?
Family Home Evening (FHE) is a weekly gathering — traditionally Monday night — for prayer, a short lesson, a hymn, an activity, and a treat. The Come Follow Me manual provides ready-made lesson outlines for each week tied to that week's scripture block.
How is the Book of Mormon used alongside the Bible?
Latter-day Saints view the Book of Mormon as a second witness to Jesus Christ. Study pairs Old Testament prophecies with their Book of Mormon counterparts (Isaiah chapters appear in 2 Nephi; Christ's ministry in 3 Nephi parallels the Sermon on the Mount). Footnotes connect related passages across both books.