The link to her original post is HERE
In a nutshell, you read the passage, chapter, section, whatever, three times. It seems like it would take a long time, and it does, but it is SO worth it!
The first time you read through, using one color of pen, you mark first impressions, circling, underlining, definitions, etc.
The second time you read through, using another color of pen, you mark additional insights, principles, doctrinal teachings, read-between-the-lines moments, and teachings that you can apply to your life.
The third time you read through, using another color of pen, you write down your thoughts. You may want to do it on a separate piece of paper. Or in a notebook.
The first time I tried this was with the Conference talks for a lesson in Relief Society. I was absolutely blown away with how much insight I gained into the lesson as I used this scripture study technique.
Before I saw this idea, this was what my study of the Conference talks look like:
A few notes, a few underlinings, that is about it.
After I saw this idea, this is what my study of the Conference talk looks like:
In this talk The Key to Spiritual Protection, by Pres. Boyd K. Packer, from the October 2013 General Conference, Pres. Packer talks about how "the scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer." In my personal notes I wrote that it is "not just spiritual protection from evil and danger, but protection from deception, apathy, depression, fear, doubt, misunderstanding, unhappiness, relationship issues, indiscretions, etc.." That is the power of the scriptures. That is what we gain from our study of them.
Pres. Packer continues: "Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow." It is a marvelous talk!
I have started reading through the Book of Mormon this way and it has been wonderful! I am looking forward to going through every book of scripture! Especially the New Testament. I read through one of the Relief Society lessons (this year it is in the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith) a few weeks ago and some of the most amazing insights came to my mind. It was chapter 6: The Significance of the Sacrament, and I went through the lesson three times. The morning of the lesson, I read through it a fourth time as I prepared to go to Church and partake of the sacrament. Interestingly enough, it was this fourth time through that I read something I had missed three times previously. In section 2, Pres. Smith is talking about how we partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
"It is impossible for weak mortals, and we are all weak, to fully comprehend the extent of the suffering of the Son of God. We cannot realize the price He had to pay. To the Prophet Joseph Smith He said:
“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit; and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink—nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” [D&C 19:16–19.]"
As I started to circle the word "partook", I felt a thought strengthen in my mind that Adam and Eve partook, Lehi partook, Jesus Christ partook, and as we partake of the sacrament each week, we are partaking in the grand Plan of Salvation. We all have a part, we ARE a part. We are all participants sharing in the process of Heavenly Father's plan for the salvation of everyone of His children! That made the sacrament so much more meaningful for me.
I would not have had this wonderful thought come to my mind - revealed to my mind - without the time I took to study and search for it! I am grateful that our earnest efforts to study the scriptures are always rewarded!
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