Ideas for Scripture Study

There is no great secret to scripture study.

• It is not a particular study method
• It is not the marking system
• It is not the use of a triple or a quad
• Not chronologic or topical study

The key is intensity and consistency of effort in study.  There are no shortcuts.

Peter taught, in the JST of 2 Peter 1:

  20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is given of any private will of man.

  21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The scriptures are repositories of words, ideas, stories and revelations that have been recorded by the power of the Holy Ghost. They are to be understood by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Speaking of this principle, Jesus Christ revealed through Joseph Smith that scriptures are His words when the Spirit gives those words to us. D&C 18:

  33 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.

  34 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

  35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

  36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.

When we approach the scriptures with a desire to learn of Christ, we prayerfully ask to be taught through the power of the Holy Ghost and then we diligently seek in the scriptures. When we do so, we will hear the voice of the Lord our God through the scriptures.

With that understanding, it is nice to have some ideas about how to read the scriptures in order to learn from them. There are several ways of approaching scripture that will allow you to gain a greater understanding of what is being taught.

1. Asking Good Questions - If you notice in the headings to the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, most of the revelations are given in response to questions asked by Joseph Smith.  Many of these questions arose as he was studying the scriptures. You can learn much by asking good questions. God has said, "Ask and ye shall receive ... " He has given us many, many hints about what we should ask and He is willing to answer abundantly. Ask about those things that are promised or asserted in the scriptures.

2. Making Connections - When you discover a correct principle in the scriptures you will find the same principle taught in other places in scripture, as well. When you combine insights from multiple places in scripture that teach the same principle your understanding will be richer and more detailed.

3. Defining a Word - There are places in scripture that actually give definitions of words. For example, among the many references to faith, there are only a few that actually say "Faith is ..." and, thus, define the word. We must be willing to let the scriptures define words rather than looking for the scriptures to validate our preconceptions about what words mean.

4. Understand the Context - This includes knowing the timeline, location, key players and the questions being addressed. We can consider questions that will aide understanding, such as: Who is the author? Who do they quote? Who is speaking? Why is this story being told? What historical references do they use? What question prompted the information you are reading?

5. Understand the Composition - We need to understand that the Book of Mormon is a carefully constructed narrative, not a loose collection of pithy phrases. The authors and editors have a message they are trying to deliver. What is the compositional unit? A phrase? A set of verses? The chapter? Several chapters? The book? Etc.

6. Understand the Content - Once you understand who is speaking and the context of the verse, it is important to understand what is actually being said. Sometimes this means understanding the individual words and their definitions. Sometimes this means understanding a phrase and its grammar. Sometimes this means comparing to other places where similar ideas are taught. In other words, making connections, defining words, understanding context and considering the composition should all come together to give insight into the content that is being presented. One common mistake is using the scriptures as "proof texts" where we go looking for statements that support our preconceptions. Great insight comes from assuming that the prophets knew what they were saying and that they carefully composed what you are reading.

7. See Yourself in the Story – consider the story as an allegory of your life and your relationships with God, family, or others.

8. Articulate What You Are Learning - Write it down to preserve what you have learned. Writing will force you to state clearly what you have learned. Sharing what you learn with other people also forces you to understand what you learn well enough to articulate it so someone else. Nothing refines, and tries, your understanding like attempting to communicate what you have learned to others. Often it is in the interaction with others where you learn whether you have correctly understood an idea. This requires us to set aside our pride and be more interested in correct understanding than in being "right." Remember the blind men and the elephant.

9. Experiment on the Word - Ultimately, understanding the scriptures is of little value if our behavior does not change as a result of what we learn. In fact, it is in acting on what we learn that we prove the truth of the word as taught in the scriptures.

Here is a specific way to experiment –

Precept Experiment:

The basis of the precept experiment is Joseph Smith's statement in the introduction to the Book of Mormon, “… the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” A precept is defined as a principle or general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought (see Mirriam Webster's Dictionary). As a means of experimenting on the word, you can identify, and act upon, precepts that you find in the Book of Mormon.

As you read, try to identify precepts that are taught. This will happen as you prayerfully ask to be taught through the Spirit and study the scriptures. Once you find a precept, find other places in the scriptures where that same precept is taught. Making connections with other scriptures that teach the same ideas will refine your understanding. Then, identify specific things you can do to live that precept as an experiment upon the word. Finally, write a short summary of the experience you have as you live the precept over a period of time. Articulating your experiment in writing will refine your understanding. Also, sharing your experience is an important part of sharing testimony. Your understanding will deepen as you share your experience with others.

Is It Enough that Others Have Feasted?

With yesterday being Thanksgiving day, when we enjoyed a wonderful feast, this quote from Parley P. Pratt seems particularly appropriate. The core of this quote is the question of, "Is it sufficient to read of others who have enjoyed a feast, or do we need to feast for ourselves?"

The scriptures command you to covet earnestly the best gifts; but more especially the spirit of prophecy. Paul prays that you may be enriched with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. James says, “If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” Again, Jesus Christ declairs, that no man knows either him or his father, except it be revealed to him. He also declares that “to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, is life eternal.” Consequently all who enjoy eternal life must know God by revelation to themselves. ...

The scriptures are given for the very purpose of inviting and encouraging men to come unto the great fountain of light and truth where they may enjoy all the blessings which are recorded in them, as having been enjoyed by the Ancients. And those who are contented to enjoy the history of blessings instead of the blessings themselves, may be compared to a man on a desolate island who has nothing to eat or to drink. But while he is famishing, and ready to perish with hunger and thirst he pulls a book from his pocket which contains the history of a feast of things once enjoyed by his forefathers. He reads with rapture of delight of the delicious meets, the rich viands, the sweet fruits and sparkling wines which were spread upon the plentious board, and of the joys of those who feasted freely there. But these recollections only serve to whet his apetite, and to increase his cravings after food. In the anguish of hopeless despair, he exclaims: O that I were at my father’s house, O that I too might partake of the feast. At this moment a messenger appears before him in the attitude of an instructor, and kindly offers to relieve him. With a sudden ray of hope springing in his bosom and with an emploring look of confidence he enquires; what must I do to be saved from hunger and thirst and to feast as did my fathers? O friend, save or I perish. 

But judge his feelings of disappointment and anguish when he is gravely told by his instructor that he does not need food as his fathers did. That it was only given to them because they had no sacred record, no history of the past to feast their souls upon, but now the cannon of feasting is complete, the record is full, he need not eat as they did, nor drink as they did; but to read the history of their feasting and to believe it and rejoice in it would answer the same purpose, and that it was wicked and even presumptious to desire or ask any food other than that which the reading of their record afforded him. In short, that they had the feast and he had the history of it, which amounted to the same thing; and he must therefore be content. 

With these instructions he strives to restrain his apetite, he condemns himself a hundred times for feeling hungry and a thirst; the keener his desires for food and drink, the closer he pursues his study of the history of the feasting. He reads it over and over again, he commits it to memory, he presses it with fervor to his heart, he kisses it with reverence, he lays it for a pillow when he sleeps, and awakes but to read a new. But still finds no relief; in spite of himself his soul hungers and thirsts for food, such as his parents enjoyed and he pines out a wretched existence. But reading still the history of the past he discovers at last that he had overlooked an important sentence; a sentence which informs him that he must partake of the food for himself as they did for themselves or starve to death; and at the same time a messenger arrives with food, and wine in plenty, and kindly invites him to eat and drink; nay, says he, my instructor told me that this history was all the food I need, that it was enough for me to read and believe that my fathers ate that it was all the same as to eat myself. But says the kind instructor, that man was a deceiver, he has imposed upon you. Does not common sense teach you; does not experience teach you, and does not the history itself teach you that you must feast as well as they, or perish forever. The poor starving man is at last brought to his senses and is prevailed on to eat and drink and live. His spirits are then renewed, his soul is satisfied, and he looks with astonishment and wonder upon his former absurdity and that of his teacher and is surprised to think that such foolish ideas should have ever entered the human mind. 

So is the man, who, led by the vain traditions and precepts of men is made to believe that the gifts of revelation, vision, the ministry of angels, and prophecy, and all the keys of knowledge which the ancients did enjoy, are not now needed, or to be enjoyed; but that the Bible which contains the history of them is all that is necessary. 

O ye hungry, famishing souls who have thus been deceived, rouse from your slumbers, break off the shackles of your minds, burst through the thick darkness and gloom of ages with which you are surrounded, and emerge forth into the light and liberty of the gospel, that you may enjoy those great and glorious privileges which have been hid from ages and generations; but which are again made manifest in these last days, for the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets. * 

Elder Pratt was speaking to those who would reject the restored gospel based upon their belief that they had all they needed of revelation through reading ancient stories of God's revelations in the Bible. Could we fall into this trap today? Do we read of the spiritual feast during Joseph Smith's time and feel that reading those stories are sufficient for us? Do we read the scriptures of the restoration and feel satisfied with a broader array of testimonies of feasting? Or, do the added testimonies build within us the faith to feast for ourselves?

Joseph Smith taught, “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the least to the greatest [see Jeremiah 31:34].” ** If we ask to be taught by the power of the Holy Ghost, seek in the scriptures, and knock in the temple, we can each enjoy a personal feast as we come to know the Lord for ourself.




*      Taken from Essential Parley P. Pratt, Chapter 8, http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=14732
**    History of the Church, 3:380; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on June 27, 1839, in Commerce, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards.