When setting goals for scripture study, one of the first things you should do is ask yourself the question, “Why do we/I do scripture study? What do we/I want from it?” Elder Christofferson gave a talk (April 2010 General Conference) entitled The Blessing of Scripture. In this talk we learn about William Tyndale and the sacrifices he made to make scripture available to all. In the end he was killed for publishing the scriptures and making them available. Some reasons for studying the scripture that are highlighted in Elder Christofferson’s talk include the fact that we were not physically present during events that happened in the scriptures, and scriptures can be used to find truth and knowledge, and answer questions. A quote from the talk states:
In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His son, Jesus Christ- faith that They exsist: faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; faith to come to know “the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent” (John 17:3)
Some scripture study ideas were discussed from Julie B. Beck’s April 2004 General Conference talk “My Soul Delighteth in Scripture.” They are as follows:
1) Chose a subject in the Topical Guide you need or want to know more about.
2) Keep notes in your scriptures (Post-its work well as they can be placed on the page or stuck along the binding and easily removed), or keep a separate notebook.
3) Use your scriptures in your calling. Buy a cheap set of scripture as you start a new calling. When you are released from your calling give the set to a child as a gift. Each set will be marked different as you use them for your calling.
4) Scripture chains. First look up the first scripture in the chain. Highlight it if you wish, and beside it, in the margins, write the next scripture in the chain. For example to use the chain below, write the title of the chain in the front flap of your scriptures, then D&C 1:14 beside it. Next find D&C 1:14, beside it in the margin write D&C 1:38, continue through the chain. When you get to the last scripture Amos 3:7, beside it write D&C 1:14. Where ever you are in the chain you can always follow the scriptures along.
Prophet Scripture Chain
D&C 1:14
D&C 1:36
D&C 50:36
D&C 52:9
D&C 84:36
D&C 90:5
D&C 124:45-46
D&C 133:71
2 Nephi 26:3
Mosiah 18:18-19
3 Nephi 28:34-35
Amos: 3:7
(Additional chains are available on-line, or can be provided. It can even be fun to use the Topical Guide and make your own)
5) As you read the scriptures look for questions the prophets and the Lord ask us. Write them in a note book and answer them.
6) Pray while studying.
7) Reflect on scripture again and again, as Joseph Smith reflected on James 1:5.
8) When setting goals, find something that works for you. If you can read a chapter a day or you have 30 min to devote to scripture study no matter how much or little you read, just do what works for you.
Some ideas for marking scriptures were shared from Whitney Butters Article Tips for living: Scripture-marking methods, published in June 2010 Deseret News. They include:
· Keep it simple
· Get tools (markers and pens that don’t bleed through the pages, colored pencils or crayons)
· Develop a classification process. Underline key words, bracket or box ideas, circle or shade verses, use different colors for different ideas.
· Cross reference/scripture chain
· Practice your system
· And most importantly BEGIN.
Finally some Sisters shared their ideas and techniques of scripture study with us.
> Use Sunday School Lesson Pamphlets and read the additional reading at the end of the lesson
> Color code by topic (for example Black-Apostasy, Sin and Satan, Blue-Holy Ghost, Etc)
> Tape in visuals, pictures, time-lines
> Use manuals such as Seminary, Institute or Sunday school. These can be ordered or some downloaded and printed at ldsces.org. They can also be loaded and read to you. Don’t stress if you can’t pronounce the words.
> Use talks from General Conference, or Articles and reference the scripture in and at eh end of the talks
> If you have started to read, for example the Book of Mormon, and read 1 Nephi twenty times and read it each time you start back up, skip it and start where you left off.
> Write notes in margins so you can understand them and don’t have to look up the meaning. Keep a dictionary beside you as you read so you can look up the meaning of words and write them in the margins or on a sticky note
> Don’t get overwhelmed. Pick something such as the Ensign, or the book Jesus the Christ and read that. There are many scriptures to reference.
> Look up a weakness or topic in the Topical Guide
> Get talks on MP3
> Go to scriptures.byu.edu You can pick a scripture and look up all talks that reference that scripture
> Buy cheap scriptures to do family study during a meal
> Color code and make a card with the colors and what they are for and keep it in your scriptures
> Keep pens, markers, sticky notes, highlighters, or colored pencils handy for easy access
> Read every day even if just a chapter, article, or a few verses. Don’t set long goals because they can be daunting. Know your purpose before you set a goal
> Star or write impressions in the margins as you read
> Ask how you can apply the scripture to your life, or what question the scripture answers
The scriptures are readily available today and so many people have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have and learn from them. Please take advantage of this wonderful blessing to study and learn the lessons the scriptures can provide for you and your families.
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