A famine in the land

Every few months I seem to fall into a scripture study rut. I still read, of course, because I’m a creature of habit, but the fertile rainforests evaporate into dry, dusty deserts. I’m particularly getting that with the Book of Mormon, because it’s what I read every day. I feel like I’ve read it so many times that nothing’s new anymore. I’d much rather read the D&C or the New Testament.

Don’t worry, I’m not on the road to apostasy. :) I still believe 100% that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it is possible to spend a lifetime reading it and still learn new things. The scriptures haven’t changed; I have.

Since I know that I need a constant infusion of the word if I’m to have the Spirit with me, particularly from the Book of Mormon, this is something that I can’t allow to remain stagnant. One thing I’ve noticed is that reading my marked-up scriptures often forces me into certain interpretations, or makes me subconsciously ignore unmarked verses. So I sometimes switch to an unmarked set, to get a fresh perspective. Other times I’ll start over, reading straight through from the beginning. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Often, reading a General Conference talk or a book about religion will help me get in the proper perspective. As will getting enough sleep. :) Other ideas include reading aloud and reading in search of a particular thing (things the reader is supposed to do, or names of Christ, or what have you).

What has worked for y’all?

Ben, if you weren’t able to be there, I highly suggest reading Elder Bednar’s CES Fireside talk, Reservoir of Living Water. It illustrates several great ways of diversifying scripture study.

I’ll email you a scripture study method that I’ve been using at times this year. It’s a chapter-by-chapter method, and involves reading the text as closely as I care to.

Basically, it’s a series of questions that help me think and reflect as I’m reading. It includes a summary in my own words, which I’ve found tremendously helpful in retaining what I read. Another favorite part is the where I list and explain vital terms (or any terms that I want to understand better).

I’ve been using this method here and there for my Book of Mormon study this year, but even more so for the New Testament, in preparation for Sunday School each week. Also, I don’t use it every day - it takes a fair amount of time and concentration (each study session can easily last 2 hours).

I plan on using this same method as I study General Conference addresses, though I have yet to try it and see if I would need to change the focus of the questions, or anything else, for that context.

If I had a website, too, I’d post it there for folks to check out and use if they found it helpful. But I don’t.

PS Elder Bednar’s talk is awesome and inspiring. FYI, I’ve found that the method that I mentioned above can be used to combine the three methods that he discusses - reading, studying, and looking for connections, patterns, and themes, if you want it to.

Maybe you should take a break from the Book of Mormon. If you’d like to read the Doctrine and Covenants, then read it. When you return to the Book of Mormon, then you will be able to see it through new eyes, if you will, particularly if you’ve been studying the historical and doctrinal context in which it was translated and disseminated. I usually cycle through all the books in the quad, reading the Book of Mormon between each one.

Sometimes I will go into my study with a certain topic in mind or a question about how to handle something, and instead of going to the topical guide to look up the related scriptures, I just read where I’m at (if I’m in reading through) or just pick a chapter, and then see what I can pull from it to answer my question. It’s been really fun for me, because I’ll be reading the same things, but I see it in a whole different way.

It’s just normal. When that happens to me I just spend my time on other bodies of scripture for a while, but I am sure to at least spend a moment reading out of the B of M every day (just a quick read of a chapter or something). The interest will come back in a while, it just flows like that. It is actually a good thing because our understanding of the gospel grows through cross-pollination. As we read other scriptures our understanding and interest in the B of M will grow back.

But I always make it a habit to read at least a few minutes in the B or M even if just for habit’s sake. That way you can be sure you don’t go apostate. :)

At least that has worked for me. Obviously, we all do different things.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. There’ve been a few more people have e-mailed to me which I’ll try to get up soon.

Ben -

Hey there! You should have called me, because I could talk about this topic for hours! Scripture study is the greatest delight of my life! I’m not sure exactly how you study the scriptures, but I’ll share how I study. It is different for everyone.

I set aside a certain amount of time to study each day. (1 hour) I’ve tried to be consistent about when I study, but sometimes the hour of day varies. I usually study first thing in the morning. (So early sometimes, it is still considered night.)

I consider my time in the scriptures a very intimate time with the Lord. President Sommerfeldt taught me that my relationship with the word of God determines my relationship with Christ. And my relationship with Christ determines my relationship with everybody else. It really is like having a personal appointment with the Savior each day.

I begin by praying and inviting the Spirit to be the true teacher. Then I usually sing a hymn, or look at the words to one in my mind. Sometimes that will start me off on where I study for the day. It just depends. Like Elder Eyring has taught, sometimes we study for doctrine, other times, for inspiration. Elder McConkie taught that one of the greatest secrets is that scripture study unlocks the door to revelation. It’s true!

I’m sure you have a Scripture Literacy packet, but I recommend that you read it again. There are many different ideas on how to study the scriptures, and it can change from day to day.

I love the talk, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” by Elder Scott. That will change your life. For the past few months I have been striving to do what he says in that talk. I search the scriptures and try and put what I find into simple statements of principle.

I write my WHOLE scripture study! My study journal is the key to my receiving revelation. I begin writing what I feel. If I’m struggling with something particular, I will ask a question that has to do with my problem. I write everything. I write my questions, what I think the answers are, what I find in scripture, then what I feel about what I read.

From the hymn, I will usually write a few principles that I picked out of it. This morning I sang, “Know This That Every Soul is Free.” That was the jumpstart for my study. I loved the hymn so much, that I copied the whole thing into my study journal. Then I wrote down a few statements of principle that I found in it.

I then looked up the verse under the scripture, Helaman 14:30-31 and spent the whole studying those two verses. When I go to the verses, I try and hold them up in a new light and scrutinize them. I look at them from all angles and I ASK TONS OF QUESTIONS. I used to just write, but to help me learn better, sometimes I draw pictures and diagrams in my study journal. I create lists and equations. I copy whole verses of scripture often. Then I will ask questions, and start answering them. Often I will look up footnotes or other scriptures that contain key words I find in the verse. Then I will write more. I start to figure things out and revelation flows.

The Lord really does direct us and teach us His will as we study. Then we can write what we are going to do because of what we learned.

So, writing for me really is how I ponder. I write what I think and how I feel and I write the process of trying to figure out truth. I try and put down as many principles or ideas as I can in simple sentences. Almost always, they are things that I already know. As I try and sort out truth , the Holy Ghost guides me and fills me to overflowing.

Sometimes I will look for patterns and such. I began an in-depth study of the Book of Helaman and I began to study the first chapter for a few days. Then in my study, I was directed to things pertaining to my struggles, so I’m off the topic for a little while. Whenever I feel like I’m not sure what to study that day, I will start again in Helaman and continue searching.

Do you know what a homily is? You should! You are an English major, right? Anyway, Elder Maxwell loved them and I love them! I often look for lines or phrases that you could write a whole sermon off of. That’s probably what my scripture journal sounds like if you read it - a sacrament meeting talk, with my very own spiritual messages that Heavenly Father gave to me. Some examples of a homily could be: “If thou shalt ask…” “Not my will, but thine…” Almost all of the titles of Elder Maxwell’s books are homilies.

In Helaman, I have been going straight through, but then I will stop when I find a principle I want to look deeper into. Then I take off on that and write and find other scriptures and truths.

Oh, I also use the 1828 Websters dictionary almost every day. I look up many words I don’t know, and this helps me make other connections and receive more light. I always write the word down in my study journal and the definition I find. I also write a short summary of the definition in my scriptures. Sometimes I will study a word, or a phrase with that word for many days. Lately I’ve been studying the word perish, and I have learned so many truths and principles!

Like Elder Bednar taught, you will find patterns, connections and themes as you search diligently for them. Start creating your own and look deeper. Pray often throughout your scripture study for direction and insight. Take time to be still. Ask often, “What does this mean for me in my life.” Ask often, “What do I need to change because I know this truth.” I ask who, what, why, when where, how questions often. I ask how and why the most. There is so much to study! Maybe if you are stuck one day, begin studying about studying the scriptures! You will be amazed at the things you can learn when you study about truth, knowledge, light, pondering, asking, searching, seeking, hear, hearken, word, etc.

Another thing to do would be to outline the talks from General Conference. Outline all the doctrines and principles and then take those doctrines and principles and study them more deeply. Also, study often from your Patriarchal Blessing. It is scripture written just to you. Sometimes you may spend the whole time studying a principle that is contained in your blessing. Sometimes you may study the words of a hymn or phrase of a hymn the whole time. You could take the lesson from Sunday School and Priesthood and study those doctrines during the week.

Don’t forget to study slowly! In President Hunter’s talk “Reading the Scriptures,” he teaches that we should study for time, and not for chapters. Do not rush! This is your time where you can hear the Lord talking to you! We can open up a direction connection with the heavens and learn more of God the Father and Jesus Christ. That is one thing that I love to do when I don’t know what to study. Write a statement about Christ that you know is true (principle) and then start finding scriptures to back it up. As you do so, questions will form in your mind and you will find truth. If you write, you will see so many connections. Words and patterns of words will make sense to you. I draw the words in capital letters or bubble letters in my journal and use colored pencils to color them and make them stand out. Keep a record of the truths you are learning, for you will be judged by them.

Joseph Smith said that we should strive to know the character of God better. If you are stuck. Start writing all that you know about God and then start searching for more. Ask lots of questions and search diligently. Look for little words and phrases in each verse you turn to. Copy down favorite passages. Try and find conclusions. It’s a great discovery process!

Remember: The Holy Ghost is the true teacher!

There is so much to study! I recommend reading Elder Bednar’s talk like Connor said, and also to read his talk, “We Have Them Before Our Eyes.” See, he took that part of a verse and wrote a talk off it. Do that for your scripture study! Study the doctrine of Christ a little at a time. We never can know enough about faith and repentance, etc. The Book of Mormon was written and preserved for our day. Look for why these truths were included and what they must mean to you.

Maybe you could place yourself in hypothetical situations and then study from that. Think about an issue you could be dealing with or something you want to improve. Seek to see yourself and attributes you want to develop them, then study them! Like Elder Rodgers (I can’t remember) in Conference said. Look up every scripture on that topic. Write down all the truths you learn. Look deeply in your own life and be honest about what you need to work on. Ask others to help you see your own life better. Then bind yourself to act. Continue to study as you grow and change through Christ.

There is always more to learn about Christ and the Atonement.

You could even just take the topics of the Conference talks, and then study that topic on your own. You could arrange your study journal by topic if you like.

I often receive direction on things I need to do or change in my own life as I study the scriptures, even if I am studying something that isn’t on that topic. The Lord will teach you what you need to learn. Be humble and willing to listen and obey. Seek to understand the Lord’s ways and why things must be as they are.

Study the Articles of Faith for a while. Take each one and study the doctrines. You could read the first one, copy it down and then start studying! Write maybe, “We say that we believe. How do we believe? How do I believe? If I do believe these truths, what do they mean in my life?

We believe that God is our Father. What do I know about God as my Father? What is my relationship to Him? How can I draw nearer to Him in my own life? What is the relationship between the Father and the Son? Why is it vital to know that they are different beings? What does it mean to me? What do other religions believe about the Godhead?

In scripture, how have prophets taught these truths? What did they teach about the character of God? What did the prophets do in their own lives to know God better? How do we become like God? Why does God want to reveal himself to us? What does He require we do to really know Him? Who is God? Who is His Son? Could I share what I know with others? As you pick maybe one of these questions and begin to answer it in your own words, you may think of a verse that supports it. Go to the verse and search for more truth. Write down everything you learn. You will start to figure it out and say If this…then this. This must be because of this. Search diligently. Pray always and be believing!

I like to ask, “How can I increase my faith? What does it mean to increase my faith? How do I really obtain the faith to change? What do I know of Christ? Do I really have faith in Him and that He is the only way? How is that faith manifest in my daily life? Am I doing things that are causing my faith to decrease in my life? What things increase faith. List them. Why do these things? What is it about these things that increases my faith? What is faith? What are examples of people in the scriptures who had faith. What did they do to obtain faith? Why must we have faith? From where did we first gain faith? How does faith grow and change as we grow and change? Is faith different for a child than an adult? What does Heavenly Father want me to understand about faith?

Be okay with not knowing. Truth will come to you line upon line and precept on precept as you seek it. Don’t try to get all the answers. Just search and pray and do all you can to figure it out. Because the Holy Ghost is guiding your mind and touching your heart as you figure out these principles. As you write the principles and read them, the Holy Ghost will testify to you that they are true. Here, then is true learning.

I feel like I’m preaching to the choir, but I’m just sharing the things that work for me.

I always end my scripture study with a prayer to offer gratitude for the divine truths I have learned. That was a lot. Feel free to ask questions. Thanks for listening!

I know what you mean about a reading rut. I find that sometimes I get into that rut when I insist on reading everything in order. The scriptures were made for us, not the other way around, so I suggest just mixing it up a bit. Switch to a different standard work for a while. Skip to a different book, or think of a story you haven’t read in a while and take a fresh look at it. I’m also a big fan of cross-references. And whenever something I’ve read makes me think of something else, I look at that something else (just last night something from Matthew reminded me of something C.S. Lewis had written so I took a look at that again).

Thank you, April! Those are excellent ideas! I’m glad Ben didn’t call you. Last night after reading your suggestions, I went to work and got a Scripture Study Journal, had a prayer before starting my studying, sung a hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” wrote the words in the journal and used the scriptures at the bottom of the hymn for my studying. I used the bubble lettering, with the colored pencils, (what a fun idea!!) and even drew a picture of a banana, strawberry, and grapes for my ending scripture: “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace…” and I spent a full hour. I really appreciate all the questions you suggested. I realized recently that I have never been a very curious person. I have a hard time thinking of questions but what a difference it makes when there is a question to find answers to. Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your ideas!

Shirley -

I’m so so happy that you had such a wonderful experience! As time goes on, you will find that as President Hinckley said, you will form a “love affair with the word of God.” I would love to hear how your experiences are in the future! Remember, consistency is the father of destiny! Keep at it!

April: Thanks for the suggestions, sis. :) (Weird sidenote: when I see the word “sis” now, I automatically think of the second person singular present active subjunctive form of “to be” in Latin, not the truncated form of “sister” in English. I wonder if I’ll ever be normal… ;))

Um, Ben, we all know that answer to that question.

…I automatically think of the second person singular present active subjunctive form of “to be” in Latin…

Um, yeah… that’s what I think of as well… :-\

Latin didn’t deserve to die. :)

Hi Ben–I’m being daring and bringing up an old one as well as actually making a comment for the first time in ages. I just wanted to let April know that I am now on my second scripture study journal for a total of 267 pages of handwritten scriptures and thoughts! Your comments on Ben’s post, April, is my favorite “talk” on the subject of scripture study. So I just wanted to thank you and let you know that it has made a difference in my life, truly.

I’ve gotten good at doing the bubble letters at the top of the pages. I really like that to help me see at a glance what topic is at that page. They are often an example of a homily. I did not know what that word meant and looked it up and want to look even more for those to put as my titles. Here’s some of my most recent examples: “…sufficiently retained in remembrance..”., “…sing the song of redeeming love…”, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” LIke you said, a whole sermon could be written off of these. Well I could go on and on but I just want to say that I am very grateful to you. It has made a huge difference in the effectiveness of my scripture study time! Thanks, April and Ben!

I’ll pass this on to April — thanks! And good to hear from you again. :)