Keeping It Fresh

How many of us have been guilty of sitting down to study our scriptures (or any gospel reference), but then just getting through the planned amount without really getting anything out of it? I know I have!! For me, it often happens because I have so many other tasks on my mind, and I just want to check off as many as I can. I know all too well how difficult it can be to clear your mind and really feast on the scriptures! But I also know what a blessing it is when I do.

Of course, there are two great principles that help right off the bat:

• Don't forget to start with prayer!
• Instead of reading a set amount, read for a set length of time. And did you know that it actually helps your brain learn better if you do it in the same place and at the same time each day?

NOW here are some ways to help you keep your scripture study a wonderful time of feasting and inspiration:

• Read with just one specific topic or question in mind. I've been doing this more lately. I color every verse that helps me better understand my topic of choice. My current topic is motherhood, and I have been astounded at how many more passages I have found than I would have expected! All by looking specifically and not just wandering through.
• Insert your name into the verses.
• Start in the index. Choose a topic and read and study all the passages listed for that topic. Don't forget the cross-references!
• Have a related but different reading every day. Ex: Study that week's Sunday School or Relief Society lesson one day, Study a related General Conference talk another (use the Citation Index we mentioned two weeks ago!), Find and study the scriptural cross-references on Day 3, etc.
• Blitz it! Read one of the volumes of scripture faster than normal, more like a book, and pay attention to overarching patterns.
• Read and memorize. Did you ever memorize the seminary scripture mastery verses? (Or have you forgotten them? :) Get the list of the verses and study and memorize those one by one.
• Study your patriarchal blessing. Are there certains words or ideas that stand out to you? Use those principles and the reference guides to learn and study more specifically about them.
• Start with music! Do you have favorite hymns? Look them up and start with the hymns listed at the end of the music. Follow a scripture chain of cross-references and you may be surprised by what you learn!
• Try reading aloud.
• Start in the middle. We often get bogged down by starting at the beginning every time. Try starting in the middle!
• Keep a journal next to you. Write ideas or impressions down as you read. Not only will this help you stay engaged, it will help you remember those impressions better too!

Those are just some of the things I've tried that have helped me. But this post wouldn't be complete without directing you to talks on scripture study by our leaders. Please don't miss these wonderful references:

A Discussion on Scripture Study by President (then Elder) Henry B. Eyring (July 2005)
Because We Have Them Before Our Eyes by Elder Bednar (April 2006)
My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures by Sister Julie B. Beck (April 2004)
Scripture Stories as Patterns for Our Lives by Elder Jay E. Jensen (July 2009)
Getting the Most Out of Your Scripture Study by David B. Marsh (February 2009)
Questions and Answers (Ensign, 1992)

Now, what are some techniques that have helped you? Please feel free to leave a post and share your ideas!

Happy studying!

My Best Kept Secret

Every time we switch to a new focus area, I have the two months planned out (more or less) in advance and follow it each week. This week I had planned one topic, but I'm going to wait on that one because I just can't wait to share this with you! It's my best kept secret for scripture study and improving my own gospel literacy. Here it is:

The LDS Scripture Citation Index

Don't be scared off! This is not nearly as intimidating as it may sound. And I know you'll find it to be a wonderful resource.

What is it? Basically, someone at BYU decided to start and fund an ongoing project to cross-reference all the scriptures mentioned in General Conference. They've gone back as far as 1942! So all you have to do is go to any verse of scripture, click on it, and you will find ALL the general conference talks that have used it! WOW! They've also recently added all the scripture references from the Journal of Discourses and the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. And if there is a certain general authority you have in mind, you can tell which of the talks were by which general authority.

Why do I love this index? Three reasons:

1. If I get to a scripture and I have questions about its meaning, I can go to the General Conference talks to see how it used in context by general authorities who are specifically given the keys to interpret and expound on these subjects. Wonderful! This helps my own personal understanding of scripture and the personal inspiration and revelation I receive from them.
2. If I am reading a verse I usually understand in one way, I can glean NEW insights and ideas from seeing how the scripture has been used in varying talks on different topics.
3. If I feel I'm getting stagnant or stuck in a particular book of scripture, this always jump starts me, giving me food for thought and new ways to consider the passages I am studying. There's no such thing as the same old thing!And since I love to feast on General Conference talks, this is the perfect meld of the two.

Bottom line? I hope you will check it out!  Add it as a bookmark, and visit often when you're in need of a little extra inspiration. Enjoy!

Getting to Know the Scriptures

Whether you are new to scripture study or an old pro, there's always more to learn about the scriptures! And the gospel in general! I love that we can learn line by line, precept by precept, and that the Spirit can give direct revelation and knowledge to us according to our needs.

This week I thought we'd get started by taking a look at all the reference section of the scriptures. I think we all know they are there, and we probably use them when preparing a lesson or a talk. But perhaps we sometimes overlook what a wonderful tool they are for personal study! If you want to follow along, go get your scriptures, or open another browser window/tab, and go to the Study Helps page of lds.org. There are several references we have available to us. Many of them are printed in grouping with the Bible; others with the Book of Mormon (or "triple combination" of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price). Let's explore together!

Bible
With the Bible, we have several important reference sections:

• The Topical Guide: Just what it sounds like, this guide has a list of topics and the scriptures that correspond. NOTE that this reference section includes references for all four volumes of scriptures: the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. ALSO, you don't necessarily have to have a specific word in a scripture for it to be grouped with a certain topic.
• The Bible Dictionary: Also what it sounds like, but you might be surprised at everything you can find in it! It never fails if I go to look one thing up, I notice something else on the page I haven't read before... and get distracted reading that one instead! This is a GREAT place to start for a crash course/summary of the people, places, and other important concepts in the Bible. (But note: it's just listing topics from the Bible!) Two great entries to look up? Chronology and Gospels, Harmony of. (Go to look for yourself!)
• The Joseph Smith Translation: There are several passages of the JST that are too long to include in the footnotes within the scriptures themselves. You can find them here. Don't worry -- the footnote for the scripture will tell you there's a longer passage to go look up in the JST (you don't have to just know it's there!)
• Bible Maps and Photographs: These are my kids' favorites! But really, I often overlook what a great study tool these are. It really helps to put things in context and see where it all happened. With the maps, you do need to study them a little more than you would just flipping to an entry in one of the other reference sections, but it's worth it! For a change of pace, try choosing a map and studying all the corresponding passages it lists. (Especially this year as we study the New Testament!) My kids love using them as we study during the weeks leading up to Easter.

Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price
Published with the Book of Mormon, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price, there are several more great sections for reference. At the back:

• The Index: Similar to the Topical Guide, but specific to just the Book of Mormon, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price. These hinge more on specific words and not just concepts.
• Church Chronology: Don't miss this one! Right after the index and before the maps/photographs, this two-page spread is a fantastic way to read up on Church history and important dates in a concise format (from 1805 to 1998!).
• Maps and Photographs: More of them! I love these! See the above.

In the middle:
After the Book of Mormon and before the Doctrine & Covenants, there are two more great, often-overlooked references. Take a look!

• Pronouncing Guide (p. 532-535): A good one for the names you're just not sure about!
• Chronological Order of Contents (right before Section 1 of the D&C): Since not all the sections in the D&C are in order according to the chronology of events, this is great way to figure out the location/timing of them all. I love that it's all condensed down into two pages -- a great ready-reference!

Some of this may seem obvious to you, but I hope at least this gets you thinking again about how you can use these reference sections to help you study the scriptures. I encourage you to also visit lds.org and explore some of the new study tools they have posted there. (But we'll talk more about that later!)

Happy studying!

Gospel Literacy: Lifting ourselves and others!

This week is the start of our new focus area: gospel literacy. I'm so looking forward to exploring some wonderful resources and knowledge with you over the next two months! Especially as we enjoy this most important pre-Easter season. To start us off, here's a quote from President Kimball:

We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians—whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family. … Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up!
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985)

Join me as we become better scriptorians! Let's lift ourselves and others!