Meaningful Scripture Study

Scripture study is an integral part of being able to have testimony and committing yourself to God. "Scripture study is important because of the covenants we have made, because of the direction we need in our lives, and because scripture study is a preparation for and prerequisite to receiving personal revelation."-David A. Bednar, Rick's College Devotional, January 6 1998.

When Laman and Lemuel asked Nephi, "What meaneth the rod of iron?" Nephi replied,"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."-1 Nephi 15:23-24

Nephi describes how powerful the scriptures can be. The scriptures are the word of God and has power to resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life. Not having scripture study can be devastating. Joseph Smith explained to the early saints,"And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—"-D&C 84:54 The things that the early saints have taken lightly were the word of God. As a result, "their minds have been darkened because of unbelief."

Preach My Gospel Chapter 2 and Missionary Preparation Student Manual chapter 5-6 both teaches you how to have a meaningful scripture. Even if you haven't serve a mission, is too old to serve a mission, or isn't planning to serve a mission, those chapters will help you a lot on how to have a good meaningful scripture study. I also recommend reading Howard W. Hunter talk on Reading the Scriptures. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/reading-the-scriptures?lang=eng

10 Things I Do To Have A Meaningful Scripture Study

1. Before i read the scriptures, i pray to have the spirit with me as i read so i can understand and focus.
 
2. What i personally like to do is put either earplugs or headphones in my ears so that i won't hear any outside noise. That helps me to focus more.

3. What i recently been trying to do is stop reading a certain amount of verses or chapters but read in a certain amount of time. For example, instead of reading a chapter  each morning and night, i decided to read for about 30 mins to 1 hour each morning and night. Sometimes studying one verse can take about 1 hour. I have noticed that reading in a certain amount of time allows me to not rush while reading the scriptures. Howard W. Hunter also mentions doing this in the link i provided above.

4. Before i read each chapter, i first read the chapter heading. Also use footnotes, bible dictionary, maps, topical guide, and Joseph Smith Translation. Those can be really useful.

5. Mark your scriptures. For example, what i do is if the scriptures is talking about the atonement, i color it blue. If it talks about repentance, i color it green. If Jesus is talking i underline the verse red. This allows me to understand the scriptures more.

6. Put your name down in what you read. For example in Moses 1:6, "And i have a work for thee Moses, my son..." In this verse substitute Moses name for your name. If you are a girl write your name and write my daughter instead of my son. You can do the same in 1 Nephi 3:7. I usually write the verses that i can insert my name into, down in my journal.

7. Write down verses , meaning of the verses or what you learn in a study journal. Make good use of a study journal.

8.Use dictionary or find the actual meaning of a word. Some verses in the scriptures uses that we don't understand.  In Moroni 10, i saw that Moroni uses the word 'exhort' a lot. At first, i just pass through it without giving it much thought. Then, i decided to look it up. Exhort means strongly recommend. When i found that out, reading Moroni 10 was more meaningful than the first time i read it.

9. Some verses, you will have to install if.... and then.... in the verse. For example, Jacob 3:1- But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.
Now put if... and then... You will get this. If you look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith then he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead you cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.

10. In Missionary Preparation Student Manual pg. 42, i learned this. Ask questions. Who is speaking? To whom the person is peaking? what is the message in this verse or chapter? How does this apply to me right now? When or where did the events described in the scripture occur?

I was surprised by how much i learned by doing these simple things. I've met a lady who visits and helps a lady with a severe smoking problems. So, the lady ask the lady with smoking problems to read only a sentence in the Book of Mormon a day since she wasn't really interested in reading it. A few days later, instead of reading a sentence, she read a chapter and her desire to quit smoking increased. The Book of Mormon has a powerful effect upon its readers. It is very important to read it and understand it. At first, i wasn't very dedicated in reading the Book of Mormon. So, i prayed about it to know whether or not it was true. I know the Book of Mormon to be true because i have prayed about it and i felt the Holy Ghost testifying its truthfulness. When i read it, there is absolutely no way that it could have been written by a man with a 3rd grade education(Joseph smith). It had to be translated by the power of God. I also know the bible to be the word of God.