Reading Scriptures & Staying Focused

[Heckya]

Any tips on how to stay focused while reading the Book of Mormon or other scriptures. I'm having a difficult time. I find I lose focus easily.

Thanks

[Iggy]

Any tips on how to stay focused while reading the Book of Mormon or other scriptures. I'm having a difficult time. I find I lose focus easily.

Thanks

Try listening to them at the same time. They are in audio at lds.org. I find I am better able to keep focused on all of the scriptures this way.

[NateHowe]

It depends on your goal in reading the scriptures. If your objective is to get through the scriptures from cover to cover, it may be easier to lose focus. It may help if you study by topic, trying to find a variety of scriptures through the Topical Guide and other resources to give you a complete view of one specific principle. When you study this way, try writing down principles you learn about the topic from each scripture reference. Then you involve more parts of your mind and soul, and you get a more fulfilling experience than reading the scriptures like a novel.

[Heckya]

I think I'll try both tips. Thanks.

I've read 1 and 2 Nephi quite a few times then stop reading, can anyone suggest a different book to start on. I'll hop around if it helps me. I am more considered with understanding and gaining a testimony than following the time line to start. Is there a specific chapter/book that anyone finds particularly inspirational/motivating?

Thanks again.

[rmpoulsen]

I find that if I pick a topic to look for in my reading and high lighting those verses, I tend to stay focused so that I don't miss one. Might try prayer or service.

[havejoy]

I have to pray first in order to not be distracted while reading scriptures. I ask for help in both focusing and understanding.

[MorningStar]

I used to make myself find a meaningful verse in every chapter and highlight it. Then I had to pay attention.

[Misshalfway]

Heckya,

I ask a lot of questions when I read. I pretend I am trying to get to know the characters and the complexities of their different stories. It helps me to make the stories real and it helps me stay hungry for learning more.

Have you read anything wonderful...something that was particularly interesting to you, lately? love to hear.

[Doctor Steuss]

I've read 1 and 2 Nephi quite a few times then stop reading, can anyone suggest a different book to start on. I'll hop around if it helps me. I am more considered with understanding and gaining a testimony than following the time line to start. Is there a specific chapter/book that anyone finds particularly inspirational/motivating?

Thanks again.

I'm guessing you stop reading around the time it starts quoting from Isaiah?

Try just skipping over that, and pick up after it's through.

[Heckya]

I'm guessing you stop reading around the time it starts quoting from Isaiah?

Try just skipping over that, and pick up after it's through.

Isaiah? I'm not what I would call scripture literate. I always just fall into my old and more comfortable ways and stop reading...I'm quite familiar with 1 and 2 Nephi. I'm really hoping to get past this point. I'm doing really well...well, mostly. I joined the Hinckley Challenge to help keep me motivated...to make it a little more of a challenge. (Because it's not challenging enough...hahaha) Plus, I'm making it a point to pray before and after and try to keep an open heart.

Two days ago I took a few people's suggestions and searched the index to look for something that called to me. I read Alma 5. It was much more interesting and moving. I'm pretty sure I felt the spirit...at least a little bit. It's been so long, that I don't know that I remember what the spirit feels like (is that pathetic?), except for the couple of times the spirit has screamed at me it was so strong. Last night, I picked up at Alma 6, but again had a hard time focusing. I tried finding a meaningful scripture in each chapter, but was difficult too. The chapters I read (Alma 6-9) started sounding repetative.

Anyhow, I really want to have a testimony....a strong testimony that doesn't waver especially in regards to family attitudes. I'm pretty sure the church is true. I will say I've noticed that my mind has been significantly more peaceful this last week since I found this site and started reading the BofM. It's weird. I'm sleeping better and being more patient with my kids....my 2 1/2 year old even decided to start potty training and is doing really well....I don't know that I can say that is from reading the scriptures, but it sure makes me happy.

Well, thanks for all the tips. If anyone thinks of anything else, please keep them coming. I want to make my life the one I want and I know this is what I need to do that. I don't want to quit again.

[jadams_4040]

I think I'll try both tips. Thanks.

I've read 1 and 2 Nephi quite a few times then stop reading, can anyone suggest a different book to start on. I'll hop around if it helps me. I am more considered with understanding and gaining a testimony than following the time line to start. Is there a specific chapter/book that anyone finds particularly inspirational/motivating?

Thanks again.

The church just recently has published some material that is just for this sort of member {as myself} not retarded or anything, but a lot of us have issues with staying focused, these materials supposedly put the book into story lines that help quite a bit to keep track of what is going on, and these materials {c.d,s} and such really should help trememdously, but i must also say that the "listening" to cassetes will help a lot as well.:)

[Elgama]

I find starting with Alma really helps, because you get the biggest book out of the way before you run out of umph - like Iggy says I like listening to scriptures. Also I like placing my name in them as much as possible

-Charley

[HoosierGuy]

Do most of you own one of those quad books? Do most church

members have one of those quad books? I forgot to look and see

what everyone was carrying on Sunday.

[cgrantreed]

Book of Mormon is easier than the Bible for sure but its still harder to read if you are really trying to get "grabbed and drug into it" like a novel or what not. I have the same problem as you do most of the time. I read the chapter heading a couple times and then i focus on trying to find the verses that fit each part of the chapter heading. Sometimes its interesting and sometimes its not.

I have found that a HUGE part of the BoM is just wars and fighting which is COMPLETELY uninteresting to me so that makes it hard. I pray before I start that something will jump out at me if its important in my days reading. Some days i just smoke through 20 pages and get ZIP. Nada, NUthIn. Others i read 3 pages and get totally filled with answers to my prayers. I just get through it, that is the point of the Hinckly challenge. Just getting through it. That in itself is a blessing.

I recently have run into some brutal times in my life and I was VERY motivated to find comfort in the scriptures. The verses that i have needed to hear have flown off the page for me. But I still have those days. I can read 50 pages and still get nothing. However I know that if I read the BoM twice in the year that i will get out of it waht God wants me to. Its more for just burying yourself in it and letting God work his will through it.

As far as trying to get a testimony of it, that takes time. I have known that the BoM was another testament of Gods church and doctrine but a testimony of its contents in its entirety has taken me 25 years.

I agree with taking a topic out of the topical guide and reading all the scriptures in the topic is a very good way to cover the doctrine without being driven to tears by the "thee's, thou's," and the really strange scriptural names.