Studying the scriptures can be of great value to us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “Mormons”) considers the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price all to be scripture. Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Church, counseled:
“Search the scriptures—search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. No; for when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 11–12; quoted in “Teachings of Latter-day Prophets on the Blessings of Scripture Study,” New Testament Class Member Study Guide, 27).
But frankly, it isn’t always easy to understand the scriptural texts, especially the first time you read them. Here are some ideas to help with your quest:
- Pray before you study. Ask your Heavenly Father to help you understand what you read, and to help you learn those truths that are most important for you in your life at this time.
- Don’t feel like you have to plow all the way through a particular book or chapter as quickly as you can. Instead, slow down. Stop and search for the truths that are present. If something impresses you, read it again. Study it more carefully.
- The LDS Church has created an extensive set of footnotes and cross-references for the LDS scriptural canon. These footnotes include meanings of archaic phrases as well as references to other scriptures on the same topic and references to the Bible Dictionary and Topical Guide. The latter two are included at the end of the printed version of the Bible. These scriptures, with electronic footnotes and copies of the Bible Dictionary and the Topical Guide, are available at scriptures.lds.org.
- Liken the scriptures to yourself. Apply the principles taught to things in your own life.
- Visualize the stories in the scriptures. How would you feel if you were participating in the event you’re reading about?
- Record thoughts and promptings from the Holy Ghost that you receive as you read. These could be appropriate to record in your personal journal, or some people keep a separate “scripture journal” as they study the scriptures. Some people also record these in the margins of their scriptures. Some electronic versions of the scriptures provide extensive space to write your thoughts.
- Read the scriptures again and again. Study them on a daily basis, even if it’s only for a few minutes. And once you’ve read them through, don’t stop. Read them again. The growth we can experience from regular personal scripture study is enormous.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was the president and prophet of the LDS Church at the time of his death on January 27, has said,
“I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99, quoted in “Teachings of Latter-day Prophets on the Blessings of Scripture Study,” New Testament Class Member Study Guide, 27).
