Likening the scriptures unto ourselves

In 1 Nephi 19:23, Nephi instructs us: "I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

What does that mean? To me it means that we can't say that these things were written so long ago that they don't apply to me. These are the words of God to us, of course they apply to us.  Then, now, in the future.

One way that I use to "liken the scriptures" unto myself is to put my name into the scriptures.  I touched on this in an earlier post, but I wanted to go into more detail.

The scriptures were written for us, for our "profit and learning".  God is speaking to each and every one of us!  Individually.  The great thing is, that since we are all different, the Lord is able to speak to us through the same scripture in ways that apply to our individual lives, circumstances and experiences.

As I study my scriptures I add my name into the verses.  I make notations to make the scripture applicable to me and my life.

I know that as we add our names to the scriptures, personalize them, liken them unto ourselves, we will find greater meaning for them in our lives.  We can't just write our names there and be done with it.  We have to follow the counsel and direction we are given in each of the scriptures.  The word of God to us.  Right here, right now.

Time to pray & read scriptures

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Truth!

Effort is required

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Nothing in the gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to come easily.  Heavenly Father imparts freely of His spirit, but it is after we show how much we really desire to have that spirit in our lives.

In Matthew 11:29-30 the Savior says: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." The yoke is not easy the moment we put it on, we have to do some work -- "learn of me" -- and when we do, we will find rest, and strength.

When we show effort, things become easier.  It's like weightlifting.  When we first pick up that 20lb dumbbell, it can be hard to lift it for a set.  The more we make the effort to lift that dumbbell, however, the stronger our muscles get, and the easier it is to lift it.  Studying the scriptures is the same.  It takes some effort at first, to find the time, to understand what we are reading, to find additional resources to help us better clarify their meaning, etc..  But the more we do it, the stronger we get. 

Then we pick up the heavier weights! : )

Studying the scriptures in another language

"Many of you study foreign languages. You might like to start reading the Book of Mormon in another language. When you read the scriptures in another language, you learn what the words mean in a new way."  (Julie B. Beck, My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures, General Conference, April 2004)

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I really like this idea.  I learned Spanish in high school, but didn't have an occasion to use it very often, so my knowledge slowly faded away to a few words and phrases.

In my ward, we have a great deal of Spanish-speaking members and I have tried to find ways to increase my ability to communicate effectively with them, other than the initial "welcome" and "how are you?", but there haven't been any Spanish language classes anywhere near where we live.  (I even asked if I could attend the Spanish classes at the high school, but was told no.)  

Recently, I volunteered to give a talk in the Spanish Group so that I could work on my vocabulary.  I got a lot of help, and it went well.  Interestingly enough, the topic I was assigned to speak on was scripture study. : )

I also have started to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish.  I have been pleased with how much I understand as I read it.  I mean, I know the words I am reading, since I have read them in English, but I haven't had to constantly look up words to know what they are saying.  I know that Heavenly Father blesses us through the power of the Holy Ghost to "bring all things to our remembrance."  John 14:26

Of course, you can do this with any language and any book of scripture.  The possibilities are marvelous!!  I feel that the Lord blesses our efforts to improve ourselves and our abilities and talents, and especially when it affords us the opportunity to increase our ability to communicate and share the gospel with so many more of His children.  The gift of tongues is truly a reality and a miracle.  

A Pearl of Great Price

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“Please…read more slowly and more carefully and with more questions in mind…Ponder, [and] examine every word, every scriptural gem…Hold it up to the light, and turn it, look and see what’s reflected and refracted there…such an examination may unearth a treasure hidden in a field: a pearl of great price; a pearl beyond price” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Summer 1992 CES Satellite Broadcast, 4).

Marking Your Scriptures - colors and themes

As a follow up to my last post, I wanted to add that you can use different colors for different themes in the scriptures.  For example, if you highlight all the scriptures about faith in green, than any time you are reading the scriptures and you see green, you know it is a scripture about faith.

Here is the color code that I use for my scriptures:

The great thing is that you can use whatever colors you want for whatever themes you want.  It is completely up to you!

Here is an example of how the different theme colors look as you highlight scriptures:

You can also use this idea for certain sections of scripture.  For example, there was a section in the book of Revelation that I wanted to differentiate between which branch of the church John was referring to, the reference that is made to Jesus Christ, and the blessing the people would receive if they corrected their problems.  I made a smaller selection of colors and themes for that specific section of scripture:

I believe that colors and themes are a way to more effectively retain the information that we have gleaned from our study of the scriptures.

Marking Your Scriptures - Make them YOURS!

I know there may be people who disagree with me, but I am one of those people who believes that we should mark our scriptures.  And, by mark them, I mean MARK them!  Underline, circle, connect, write, color, add, MARK them!!!  

There is a saying that goes something like, "Scriptures that are falling apart usually belong to someone who isn't."  (I believe the original quote is attributed to Charles Spurgeon.)  We don't want our scriptures to be pretty additions to our book cases, or decoratively arranged on our living room tables.  We want them to be used, opened, in the way, and treasured!

I am by no means an expert or trying to tell anyone how they should mark their scriptures (that is a VERY personal thing!!), but I wanted to share how I frequently mark my scriptures, and how it has helped me as I study.

As you can see, I do a lot of different methods as I mark my scriptures.  This is a great representation of what many of the pages in my scriptures look like.  Underlinings, circling, connections, writing, coloring, additions, MARKINGS everywhere!!!  I get very excited to turn to a page like this and see all that I have learned and gleaned from my studies!

Here is an example of how you can "partition" certain scriptures that go together in a parable, or a thought, or a principle.  I use both brackets and circles to highlight sets of scripture:

I also underline parts, or highlight, or underline and highlight.  It is what works best for your individual ideas and thoughts.

This helps me when I am looking for a particular scripture, or group of scriptures, especially when I am teaching.  I sometimes even find scriptures by thinking, "I can't remember which scripture it is, but I know it is on the right hand column of the page highlighted in blue."  I can always find it that way! 

I will often use page headings to make it easy to see what is included in the scriptures on the page.  In this example, I have shown the different parts in the book of Luke where Jesus Christ went through during the Atonement, the Crucifixion, His Burial, the Resurrection and Ascension:

I often use linking lines to connect a word or phrase to a notation in the footnotes:

Sometimes the cross references I want are not in the footnotes, so I will add them to the pages.  In this example, I have added the interpretation references for the symbolism of Lehi's Dream in the Book of Mormon:

I like to put my thoughts or quotes or longer explanations in the margins of my scriptures:

This allows me to remember other points or thoughts in relation to the scripture that are important to me.  For example, in the first photo I added, Luke 14:27 is highlighted.  "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."  In the margin I wrote: "THERE IS A HEAVY PRICE TO FOLLOW CHRIST!!  HE MUST COME FIRST! NOTHING SHOULD BE BEFORE HIM!!  If you say you follow Him, you will be tested!"  I am reminding myself that we cannot simply say that we believe in Jesus Christ and then consider ourselves His disciples.  To bear His cross means that we pay the price -- of our obedience, our love, our service, all of it!  That is the only way we qualify to be considered His disciple.

Then there are books of scripture, like the writings of Isaiah for example, that need a LOT of markings of all kinds!  Isaiah used a LOT of symbolism, and he was trying to describe things that he saw of the modern day that were not in existence in his time, and therefore he didn't have a lot of references or words that he could use that the people in his time would understand.  My Isaiah sections are pretty crowded.  (You may notice that I am referring to Isaiah, but showing pictures of 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  Nephi felt that Isaiah's words were of great worth!  (And that is where I have done most of my notations about the words of Isaiah.)  Nephi states: "my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah."  (2 Nephi 25:5)

In 3 Nephi 23:1, Jesus Christ himself says: "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."

Here are a few more examples of how I mark my scriptures:

The most important part of marking your scriptures is marking them!!  Imagine how your descendants will feel to have a treasure of not just your scriptures, but your testimony of what was important to you IN them!  How they have affected your life, changed you, challenged you, made you a better person!  That is truly a treasure of great worth!

He will be speaking to you

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“You should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2004, 11).  (emphasis added)

Finding our answers in the scriptures

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“We often hear…that the scriptures have the answers to all of our questions. Why is this so?…Reading…the scriptures will…put us in a position where we can obtain inspiration to answer any doctrinal or personal question, whether or not that question directly concerns the subject we are studying in the scriptures. That is a grand truth not understood by many….Again, even though the scriptures contain no words to answer our specific personal questions, a prayerful study of the scriptures will help us obtain such answers” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Studying the Scriptures,” Fireside given November 24, 1985).

I have an experience where I gained a testimony of this principle.  When I was in college, I had a situation that came before me that I really wanted guidance from Heavenly Father as to how I should proceed, as the course of action I thought was correct didn't seem like the sensible direction to go.

I had heard that you could find an answer to any question you might have in the scriptures. So, I set about trying to find an answer. In the ward I was attending, we had Relief Society first, then Sunday School and then Sacrament meeting. As I sat through Relief Society I searched for the answer to my question. As I sat through Sunday School, I searched for an answer to my question. None could be found. But then, I found a scripture that illustrates what Elder Oaks is saying.

Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 - "And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done."

If we are free from sin, we can ask Heavenly Father for what we need to know, and we can receive an answer.  So, we may not find the exact answer to what we are asking, but as I studied the scriptures, I learned how I could receive my answer.  

When I went into Sacrament meeting, I prepared for the sacrament by asking Heavenly Father to forgive me of any sins I may have committed.  Then I asked Him for an answer to my question.  I did not receive an answer.  I then concentrated and asked Heavenly Father for forgiveness from every sin I could possibly think of!  As I partook of the sacrament, I prayed that I would be purified and cleansed from all my sins.  I asked my question again.  I did not receive an answer.  In prayer, I explained to Heavenly Father how important this answer was to me, I told Him that I had done all that He asked and I REALLY wanted an answer to this question.  Then I explained to Him what I felt was the right course of action. It was then that I received personal revelation, a communication from my Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost.  I gained a strong confirmation of what I had decided was, indeed, right.  

I expressed my gratitude to my Heavenly Father, not only for the answer I desired, but for the process I was required to go through to get that answer that taught me to rely on the scriptures and the power of repentance and prayer.   You really can receive any answer you need from the scriptures. 

Drawings......trying something for the first time

I follow a blog called Simple Inspiration.  The blogger, Allison, does all these wonderful drawings to go with her studies.  Especially during General Conference.  I have been really impressed by the beauty of her creativity!

You can see a sample of one of her blog posts with her drawings in it HERE.  There are several of these types of posts.  Click on the category: "scripture journal" on the right side of the blog to see more.

I have been studying the lesson for Relief Society this Sunday in the manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, Chapter 11: Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith.

As I got to the part where President Smith is talking about the different keys that were restored to the earth and by whom, I thought about the drawings I had seen on the Simple Inspiration blog, and I got inspired!!

In the margins of the manual, I drew pictures of keys.  Each on representing the priesthood power that was restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I had so much fun!

This first key represents the restoration of the priesthood.  The A stands for the Aaronic Priesthood and the M stands for the Melchizedek Priesthood.  The three notches on the key represent the president and two counselors in the various offices of the Priesthood.

Moses appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the keys of the gathering of Israel.  This key, with its missionary tag and globe represents the worldwide missionary efforts of the Church.  The notches represent the two years the young men serve in the mission field, and the year and a half the young women serve in the mission field.

Elias then appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the keys and the blessings that were conferred upon Abraham, and the promises given to his posterity.  The tree represents the family tree, as we are all connected together through our family relationships.  The dots under the tree represent the sands on the seashore, which is the way that God used to describe to Abraham how numerous his descendants would be.  The notches represent Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph and Ephriam, through whom I trace my lineage.

Then Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the keys to the sealing power on the earth, the power of the priesthood to bind on earth and seal in heaven.  The top of the key represents the spires of the temples, where the angel Moroni is declaring the blessing of the everlasting gospel to all the world.  The sun represents the Celestial Kingdom where we all aspire to be worthy of living our eternal lives, together with our families.  The notches in this key simply represent a progression through the plan our Heavenly Father has for us.

I really enjoyed drawing the keys, and the way they would symbolize the keys of the Priesthood.  It gave me a chance to SHOW what the principles I was learning represent to me.  I think I will be using drawing a lot more often from now on!

Light Reading

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This poster hung on my bedroom wall as a youth and I still have it!  Today I passed it on to one of my daughters. : )

Wide margins!!

I am REALLY enjoying my study of the Book of Mormon using the three-time method.  It has been a significant strength to me.  I especially have found enlightenment as I have looked up the definition of many words in the scriptures, as there are differences between what I commonly think a word means and what the actual definition is, and often that difference has been very interesting.

My Book of Mormon is crammed with notes and cross-references, circlings, underlinings, ideas, definitions, and I have been keeping a separate notebook to write my personal thoughts.

It is kind of a glorious mess!

Then the other day, I stumbled across a website that really got me excited!  The link is to The Garden Tower, hosted by Brad Jackman.  He has gone through a lot of work to make a wide-margin version of the scriptures.  How seriously cool is that?!!  The scriptures are the same size, but oodles of room to write notes and thoughts, etc..

Exactly the same, but totally different!  Haha!

The link for the wide-margin edition of the Book of Mormon is HERE

The 2013 edition of the scriptures, all of them, is HERE

I personally would recommend having the pages spiral bound, but I would not recommend having a copy place print it and then bind it.  The quote for the Book of Mormon to be printed and bound was over $60.00.  Ouch!  Printing it on the computer and then taking it to be bound only costs about $7.00 (plus ink, or course, but not $60.00 of ink).  Or it can be printed out a few pages at a time, as needed. 

This is definitely one of these "why didn't I think of that?" ideas!