Scripture Study Journals

Where do I start?!  I cannot say enough about how much I LOVE scripture journals.  I first heard about them from the blog, The Red Headed Hostess.  I was enthralled by the idea!  I got out a composition notebook and got started right away.  This is a photo of my first journal:

I am so grateful that I started keeping a scripture study journal! I have learned and focused to much on the gospel and it has been wonderful!  I have studied topics and people and sections of the scriptures that I have always wanted to focus on.  I still read the scriptures from front to back each day, but I love being able to let the Spirit reveal wonderful things to me about certain aspects and topics in the scriptures.

I love this quote!  It is at the top of the index page in my scripture study journals.

”Last year a church member sent me a suggestion that someone prepare a book containing all General Authority interpretations of all verses in the scriptures.  I replied that I thought this was not a good idea….  What we are seeking to accomplish… is not to magnify the standing of the prophets but to elevate the spirituality of our rank and file members.  Like Moses, we declare, ‘would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!’  (Numbers 11:29).  We encourage everyone to study the scriptures prayerfully and seek personal revelation to know the meaning for themselves.”  (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Scripture Reading and Revelation”, BYU Studies Academy Meeting, January 29, 1993)

When you start a Scripture Study Journal, pick a notebook that you are comfortable with.  I like composition notebooks.  There are others who swear by Moleskin (this is a link to Simple Inspiration and her list of her supplies - including moleskin journals - but I also like it because it has a video that has Shannon, from The Red Headed Hostess, explaining about how and why she got started doing scripture journals).  You can use a 3-ring binder with loose sheets in it....whatever works best for you!  That is what is so great about scripture journals!  They are entirely your own!  I like to create different covers for my journals.  This is the cover to my second journal.  I made a montage of photos of several of my pages from my first journal.

Start by numbering the pages in your journal.  I made an index at the front so I can easily find which studies I have done.  As you can see, I have studied a WIDE range of topics!

I have a lot of different supplies that I use.  I use scripture marking crayons (I prefer the Sanford plastic marker), ball point pens (my favorite are Pentel RSVP), writing pens (my favorites are ZIG and Figma Micron), colored pencils (I love Prismacolor), Washi tape, double stick tape (use scrapbook/archival quality, not the cheap stuff that will yellow and become unsticky over time), sticky notes, white-out tape, and I do a lot of printing on the computer.  

Again, it really depends on what you like and what works best for what you want to accomplish.

Now, dig into the scriptures!  Feast on the words of Christ!! (2 Nephi 31:20 and 2 Nephi 32:3)  Study a particular prophet or person from the scriptures.  I have done several on women in the scriptures, such as Eve, Ruth, Esther, Abish, and Mary Magdelene.

My study on Esther

My study on Ruth

My study on Eve

Study a principle such as faith, obedience, mercy, virtue, prayer, revelation, gifts of the spirit, etc., etc., etc., the list is endless.  (I love adding photos to the pages of my study.  For example, I am always touched by the angel who comes to strengthen Jesus as He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemene, so I was sure to add the picture of Carl Bloch's painting.)

My study on the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Study a chapter from the scriptures that you want to understand better.  Look at all the footnotes, check other sources (there are all kinds of doctrinal commentaries, reference books, institute manuals, etc., that can add to your study and understanding), find quotes, photos, etc., that go along with what you are studying.  

My study of Ephesians 6:11-18

My study of 1 Nephi 8 and Lehi's Dream

Study a concept, idea or attribute that you would like to understand better, or improve upon.  I have always struggled with the concept of giving our burdens to God, so I studied it.  As I read the scriptures and quotes, I began to understand the concept a little better.  Then later, I had an experience where I truly gained an understanding of what Heavenly Father meant when He told us to do that, and so I went back and added pages in with a record of my experience which strengthened my understanding and testimony of that concept.

My study on the concept of giving our burdens to God

Another interesting concept that was mentioned in another blog I follow, was what do you think Jesus looked like?  I talked about it with a friend of mine and we agreed that we don't think Jesus was as "pretty" as many paintings make him out to be.  We agreed that people would have been drawn to Him through the Spirit, not the way He looked.  I really liked the idea and concept, so I added it to my Scripture Journal.

My study on what the Savior may have looked like

This is all about what is important to you.  What do YOU want to study, know, improve, strengthen your testimony of?  

I did an entire study on the Plan of Salvation.  I went through each of the parts of the plan and studied each part.  It has been a great help in preparing lessons and talks as well.

My illustration of the Plan of Salvation, followed by studies of each of the parts of the Plan

Very importantly, I always add to my studies WHY this is important.  Why does it matter?  How does it apply to me?  Or, how can I apply it to my life?  "For I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." 2 Nephi 19:23

My study on the Parable of the Ten Virgins, ending with the question of how I can apply the principles in the parable to my life

I could go on and on, but I should probably stop and let you get started!  : )  

Jesus taught in parables for a reason.  Those who had ears to hear would listen past the nice story that He was telling and begin to understand the deeper meaning and APPLY it to themselves and their lives.  I want to be one who HEARS and APPLIES!! 

Marking the scriptures

Sometimes we get so used to things that we hardly even notice that they are there any more. Such are the marks in my scriptures.

This morning while I was reading my scriptures, I was reminded of a funny thing that happened many years ago. When my oldest daughter was about two years old, she watched me as I studied and marked my scriptures. One day I came in and found her with my scriptures and a black pen, and she was "marking my scriptures"!

Initially, I was horrified, but how could I get mad at her. She was doing something that I had modeled for her to do. (Just not in MY scriptures!! D-oh!!) She was helping me to mark my scriptures.

When I see these scribbles in my scriptures it makes me laugh and reminds me how much our children watch us closely and learn from the things that we do.

Now that my daughter is in Seminary she has asked me questions about marking something in her scriptures and I am glad that I set a good example to her of making the scriptures your own. HER own. : )

Devoted time

When I was in college, I would wake up in the morning and have a personal devotional before I got up and got ready to start my day.  I would sing a hymn, read my scriptures, pray and then get ready.  One morning when I was particularly tired and really wanted to just go back to sleep, I decided that if I just read ONE verse that would be enough and I could lie back down for a few more minutes.  I picked up my scriptures and flipped them open to a random page, pointed at a verse and began to read. . . 

"Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures. . ."  (Doctrine & Covenants 26:1)

I learned a couple of things that morning. One, Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. Two, my time reading the scriptures is really THAT important to Him.  Needless to say, I got up and did my usual scripture study that morning.  And, this is why I named this blog "Devoted".  I am devoted to the studying of the scriptures.

First of all, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.  (Article of Faith 8)  The canon of scripture that we use is the King James version of The Bible, The Book of Mormon: A Testament of Jesus Christ (I would be happy to share a copy of it with you for free! - click here!), the Doctrine & Covenants (a collection of revelations from God to his modern-day prophet, Joseph Smith, directing His work in the latter-days) and the Pearl of Great Price (a translation from ancient scrolls and a narration from the History of Joseph Smith).   I also read from the words of the prophet and apostles on the earth today in the ENSIGN magazine.  I try to read from these sacred texts every day.  I am not perfect at it, but I try really hard and I am getting much better at making sure I have time to do it!

In recent years I have found ways of studying my scriptures that have significantly enhanced my understanding and love of the scriptures.  I am grateful for the ideas that others have made that I have discovered and tried.  I follow several blogs that have wonderful suggestions and helps for making the most of my study of the scriptures.

The first is The Red Headed Hostess.  It is from this blog that I first got the idea to start a Scripture Study Journal.  I will definitely be talking about those more later, but the Red Headed Hostess (Shannon) is the first one who inspired me to begin searching the scriptures for specific topics.  I have absolutely loved the way I have been able to get in depth with different principles, the examples of people from the scriptures, etc.!  It has completely changed the way I study.  

Another blog is Simple Inspiration.  I really like her (Allison) ideas on scripture study journals, taking notes for General Conference, appreciation of the scriptures, etc.  She has a lovely perspective that I hope to emulate.  Both these women have shared amazing ideas and insights that have truly blessed my life and I am so grateful for it!

I will go more in depth with other blogs and websites as I go along, but those two are my favorite.  

I am in no way professing to have amazing ideas and answers to the secret to having time or desire to study the scriptures.  I mainly get ideas from other people and think, "why didn't I think of that?!!"  I simply want to record insights and thoughts that I have had, ideas that have worked well for me, experiences that have increased my testimony of the scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to share these ideas with my daughters (and others!), that they can increase in their love and understanding of the scriptures as well.

2 Nephi 25:26: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the relationship I have with Him and I know that He loves me. I am grateful for His atonement and resurrection that will allow me to overcome sin and death and live in a way that is worthy of His sacrifice for me.  I am grateful for men and women who wrote down His words, teachings and example so that I can benefit from them today!  I am grateful for the Holy Ghost who testifies to me of the truth of the gospel and the scriptures.  I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and for His guidance, direction and revelation in my life.  I know that He desires nothing for us but our happiness, so as we are led by His spirit, it is for our good.

I hope to inspire others to enjoy the scriptures, learn from them, and most importantly, to LIVE them!  Live what you believe!