How Can I Make Scripture Study More Edifying and Effective?
Principle 1: Pray for understanding, and invite the help of the Holy Ghost.
The things of the spirit can be learned only by and through the influence of the Spirit. Each time we begin a session of sincere scripture study, an earnest and humble prayer in which we petition our Heavenly Father in the name of His Son for the assistance of the Holy Ghost, will greatly improve our learning, understanding, and recall. It is helpful to pray not only at the beginning, but to plead for understanding as you study. Also, I find it helpful to express gratitude for what I have been taught as I conclude the session.
Principle 2: Work.
Gospel knowledge and understanding come through diligent study of the scriptures and tutoring by the Holy Ghost. The combination that opens the vault door to hidden scriptural treasures includes a great deal of work. A farmer cannot expect to harvest a crop in the fall if he does not properly sow in the spring and work hard during the summer to weed, nourish, and cultivate plants. In like manner, we cannot expect to reap a rich spiritual harvest unless we pay the price of regular and diligent study. The scriptural treasures we seek in our lives cannot be borrowed or loaned or obtained second hand. We must each learn to open the vault door by applying the principle of work.
Principle 3: Be consistent.
Given the hectic pace of our lives, good intentions and simply "hoping" to find the time for meaninful scripture study are not sufficient. My experience suggests that a specific and scheduled time set aside each day and, as much as possible, a particular place for study greatly increases the effectiveness of our searching in and study of the scriptures.
Principle 4: Ponder.
The word ponder means to consider, contemplate, reflect upon or think about. Pondering the scriptures, then, is reverent reflecting on the truths, experiences and lessons contained in the standard works. The process of pondering takes time and cannot be forced, hurried, or rushed.
The prophet Joseph Smith provided an important guideline about pondering and reflecting upon the scriptures. He taught: "I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I enquire, what was the question which drew out the answer or caused Jesus to utter the parable?" Thus, striving to understand the question that preceded a particular revelation, parable or episode can assist us in obtaining a deeper understanding of the scriptures.
President Ezra Taft Benson 91899-1994) emphasized a similar approach to studying and pondering the holy scriptures in general and the Book of Mormon in particular:
"If [The Book of Mormon writers] saw our day and chose these things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, "Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record. What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?"
President Benson's teaching helps us follow the counsel of Nephi to liken all scriptures unto us, that is might be for our profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23). Thus asking questions about the pondering the things we have studied in the scriptures invites inspiration and the assistance of the Holy Ghost.
Principle 5: Write down impressions, thoughts and feelings.
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles frequently has emphasized the importance of writing down spiritual impressions and thoughts.
"You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come. Also, the knowledge you gain will be available throughout your life. Always, day or night, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, seek to recognize and respond to the direction of the Spirit. Express gratitude for the help received and obey it. This practice will reinforce your capacity to learn by the spirit. It will permit the Lord to guide your life and to enrich the use of every other capacity latent in your being."
Writing down what we learn, think, and feel as we study the scriptures is another form of pondering and a powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction.
We are blessed to live at a time when the Holy Scriptures are so readily available. I pray that we will never take them for granted or treat them casually. We should remember and apply to all of the holy scriptures the teachings of King Benjamin to his sons:
"I say unto you my sons, were it not for these things [the scriptures], which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our father would have dwindled in unbelief. ....
"Oh my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true....; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
"And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers" (Mosiah 1:5-7; emphasis added).
I testify and witness that the holy scriptures are true and contain the word of God. As we continue in the process of coming unto the Savior, we will be strengthened and prospered as we consistently and diligently "feast upon the words of Christ." Indeed, we are blessed because we have them before our eyes.
1 comment:
Great day of reading while the kids were at school.
Post a Comment