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.
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.
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!
one of my professors at byu knew a brother who helped with the pronouncing guide and he said they are just educated guesses. i mean, obviously they were prayerful, but in every language they are spelled differently and thus phonetically different so he said to not be surprised if we have some corrections when we get to the other side! =o]
ReplyDeletethanks for your work on this blog susannah- you are doing a great job!
That's an excellent point -- thanks for bringing it up! Yes, variation in languages, phonetics, etc., means there will be differences, but to the extent that the guide gives us all a uniform point of reference, it's a great thing they created it. Especially if you're worried you're saying it wrong and don't want to be embarrassed :) Not that anyone would judge you, of course!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I learned a few things I didn't know were there. Thanks.
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