Scripture Marking & Personal Revelation

[CarstenNorgaard]

Hello everyone :)

I was reading the Book of Mormon today, but suddenly got inspired to write a blog post about a way of noting down how concepts relate to each other, and its uses.

This reminded me of Elder Richard G. Scott, who has stressed the importance of writing down notes and impressions from the Spirit. He says that it can help receive even further light.

What are your scripture study techniques, and, more specifically, what ways of studying or taking notes or highlighting or anything like that have helped you the most in receiving personal revelation?

I have the impression that Elder Scott is very right. The Scriptures did not really come fully alive to me until I began taking notes according to my own system. Then suddenly the most crazy ideas and answers to prayers started happening, over a period of 14 months, and it motivates me very much to learn more.

Looking forward to read your replies :)

[applepansy]

I've used many different methods. All have been helpful at different times.

This year our Stake goal is for everyone to read an unmarked copy of the BoM and keep a journal. We've also been asked to share our thoughts with our families. There have been some amazing blessings in our Stake.

[CarstenNorgaard]

That sounds like a cool idea :) it reminds me of something Elder Bednar taught me last year when he was in Denmark to teach the missionaries and talk at a fireside for anyone who wanted to come.

He recommended going through the Book of Mormon with one single theme in mind, and marking anything that had to do with that theme. Then doing it again with another theme. He challenged us all to do it, starting out with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He told us that back home he has a suitcase full of BoMs, marked up. One time he contemplated giving them to his kids, but realized that they would not get the testimonies or experiences out of it that they would by doing it themselves.

When Elder Bednar participated in the introduction videos for Seminary 2010-2011, one of the videos has a short clip zooming in on his quad. He shows the students his quad, see. The page is the last one in 2. Nephi, and there is this big arrow in red with the text "Nephi's last recorded words!!" Seeing that just made me excited. It gave me a feeling that the GAs became who they are today through things like that.

Another popular quote (which may be folklore, who knows, I never verified it) was that somewhere else another GA had said something to the effect of "I am not a scriptorian, just an avid user of indexes."

Another cool technique is to go through the scriptures studying all the footnotes too, marking them up and writing notes on WHY this verse cross-references with this other one. It's not always obvious, and sometimes it even seems like it contradicts. I did that with the Book of Mormon and also the New Testament, all footnotes, and it changed my life forever.

[applepansy]

I also enjoy looking up the scriptures referenced in the Hymn book, especially with a hymn that particularly touches me.

[Gargantuan]

I've tried all of the suggestions for the scripture study, the key is consistency, and then it works better!!! The spirit will work on your spirit as you get into the habit of prayerfully searching and studying the scriptures. Your life will change for the better. The Holy Spirit will testify the truthfulness of the scriptures you read. You will be able to see how to reach spiritual goals that have been difficult to attain in the past.

I testify that as the hard times roll over you, if you continue to read the scriptures on a consistent basis that you will be able to see solutions to your problems and feel spiritual strength that you haven't seen or felt in the past. The spirit will whisper thoughts to your mind and your thinking will become clearer. As you experience the change, you will also partake of God's pure love for all, charity. Blessings, Gar

Edited June 4, 2012 by Gargantuan
h in strength

[Vort]

Nice idea, Carsten. Thanks for sharing it.