My Tips for Scripture Study

On Sunday one of the speakers in Sacrament meeting gave a talk about scripture study. To be honest I was trying to pay attention, but it didn't all really sink in. But yesterday I was inspired by a great friend to become a little bit more passionate about the gospel than I have lately been. After all, there aren't too many people in the world who are blessed with such amazing truth as I have. As I read mu scriptures this morning I actually started to think of my own scripture study "tips". I wrote them down. So here are some of my observations that can hopefully help some of you in your own effort to become closer to the gospel. (no they are not in any specific order, I just wrote them down as they came to me).

• Study and Ponder - I do think that just reading the Book of Mormon or the Bible all the way through is good in it's way. It helps you gain a big picture and get the consistent "story" of it all. But always at least have some kind of highlighter, or even better a notebook and pen, with you so that you are ready to highlight things that jump out at you and be ready to write down impressions of the Spirit. Sometimes he will only tell you once, and he won't be willing to give you more unless you are ready to receive it.

So take time to STOP AND PONDER what you are reading.

• Pray First - First of all, pray for understanding. Because yeah, the scriptures can be hard to understand sometimes. And this idea is one that I remember from Sunday- Think of a question, and ask it in your prayer. Then as you read you can look for answers to that question. For example, what is my purpose? What goals should I be working toward at this time in my life? What does repentance mean? Or something specific to your own problems and/or circumstances.
• Have a pen and paper with you, and MARK THINGS - I already said a little about this, but I'll say it again. The Spirit will be more willing to give you knowledge if he knows you are open and ready to receive it, and WRITE IT DOWN. And yes, mark things! Write in the margins of your scriptures! It is more than a book, it is a study guide to life, so use it that way. You will get more out of it. Oh yeah, and put the date on it each time you write. It can become a kind of journal. Two birds with one stone, yeah!
• Don't count time - This is something that I have discovered helps me. Don't sit down and think, "ok, I think I'll study for 10 minutes". There is no need to watch the clock. There is no specific amount of time you need to read for. The important thing is that you get something out of it. So sit down with your pen and paper, and see what wonderful things you can find! If you are thinking about time, you won't be focused on what you should be focusing on.
• Use study guides - If you are doing fine without them then sure that's great. But I personally feel that they really help, especially if you are having a hard time focusing, or knowing where to start. I have started to use 'Preach my Gospel' at least sometimes when I study. But make sure you actually actively read it, do the exercises, and look up the scriptures(even if part of it is quoted in the text). And mark things in the guide as well as the scriptures. You can also use a gospel principles book, or a seminary study guide (even if you aren't in seminary. My mom likes to use them sometimes), or whatever else you can find.
• Read out loud - It can be hard to focus sometimes. I know that there are many times when I am just reading, and then suddenly realize that I am getting nothing out of it, and don't even really know what I am reading about. It helps me to read aloud. That way my brain is processing it through using my mouth to say the words, as well as my ears to hear the words, plus my mind thinking the words as I read.
• Make yourself do it - We shouldn't have to do this of course, but for everyone there are times when you just do not want to do it. And I find that the longer I go without reading my scriptures the less and less I actually want to do it. So just MAKE YOURSELF sit down for at least a few minutes and read them. If you have to treat it like a chore then so be it. Just do it enough that it turns into a habit. Set an alarm into your phone, post notes all around reminding you to do it, or whatever you have to do. But just do it! And after a while you won't have to make yourself.
• Carry them with you - Of course you don't have to, but if you are on the go a lot, or find it hard to make time for reading (and who doesn't?) then any spare moment is better than nothing. I carry a mini one with me in my purse(you can get a mini b.o.m for $4 at the distribution center). So if you are stuck somewhere waiting for someone, on the bus, out and about and stopped for lunch . . take it out and read a little.
• Save your notes and read them - You know that cute little notebook that you bought for your scripture study notes? Well don't just leave it laying in your scripture bag for next time you read. If you have a problem and you are praying for an answer, get your notes and read through them, and maybe you will be struck by something written there. Maybe you can add to what you already have and gain a little more understanding of what you were studying earlier (remember "line upon line, precept upon precept"), take the notebook with you to conferences, to church, to firesides, on vacation, or wherever you may go. Always be ready to write in it, or at least have it with you in case you need it to receive a little spiritual enlightenment.
• Pray pray pray!- This time I don't just mean before you read your scriptures. I mean at the beginning of the day when you tumble out of bed, or in the middle of the day, or at the end of the day. Or all three! Pray for meekness, and understanding to aid you in seeking and finding knowledge as you read. And also for the Spirit to be with you to call the knowledge from your mind at times when you need it throughout your day. And definitely, pray that your love of the scriptures and willingness to study them will increase, especially if you are struggling with it. Pray for an increase in testimony. "Seek and ye shall find", I know to be absolutely true.

Follow these tips, or at least some of them, and find your own ways to get the most out of your studies. I know without a doubt that God is real, and that the scriptures are true. And I know that if you make your best effort to make them a part of you life that you will be blessed beyond what you even thought you could. Life is hard, no matter who you are, and without the Lord's guidance in our lives we can't make it. We CAN NOT make it on our own. And why would we want to? God is always there to help us, and he want to help. So why not let Him? Personally I am SO grateful to have an all powerful, loving, perfect Father in Heaven to help me out whenever I want to call on Him. That is such an amazing blessing! I just want to do everything I can to be closer to Him, and pay him back just a teeny tiny bit for all He has done and continues to do for me.