Book of Mormon Lesson #41--3 Nephi 22-26--Sara

When was the last time you had an amazing scripture study session?
What were some of the things you did to help you get the most out of your reading?

I really struggle with writing and reading comprehension. I read very slowly and have always struggled with time tests. In writing I struggle with organizing my thoughts and making the words flow. This blog has been very intimidating to me and since it is hard for me and takes a LOT of effort...I struggle being motivated to do it in a timely manner. As I was pondering the scriptures and ideas in this lesson, the thought kept coming to me: to get revelation, to have meaningful scripture study, we must make an effort. No more passive reading. No more wishy-washy worship. When we read, we should extend enough effort that the Lord is bound to bless us with revelation and personal truths that will give us the strength we need to resist temptation. But we still sometimes struggle making the time to have meaningful scripture study because of the effort involved, just like I do with this blog.

Sound too preachy? I apologize. I know what it is like to get absolutely nothing out of the scriptures. But I also have tasted the delicious fruit that comes when I've put forth the effort to ask so I can receive.
The purpose of this week's lesson is to help you earnestly desire to search the words of the prophets. The lesson asks us to do this:
Every Latter-day Saint has a duty to diligently search the scriptures. Consider what it means to diligently search the scriptures and the prophets rather than merely reading them.

What does it mean to diligently search the scriptures? In the talk, "Reading the Scriptures," Pres. Howard W. Hunter said,

Reading habits vary widely. There are rapid readers and slow readers, some who read only small snatches at a time and others who persist without stopping until the book is finished. Those who delve into the scriptural library, however, find that to understand requires more than casual reading or perusal—there must be concentrated study. It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference.

In the talk, "Power of the Word," by Pres. Ezra T. Benson, it talks about how we spiritually can't afford to not study the scriptures,

We live in a day of great challenge. We live in that time of which the Lord spoke when he said, “Peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion.” (D&C 1:35.) We live in that day which John the Revelator foresaw when “the dragon was wroth with the woman,and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev.12:17.) The dragon is Satan; the woman represents the Church of Jesus Christ. Satan is waging war against the members of the Church who have testimonies and are trying to keep the commandments. And while many of our members are remaining faithful and strong, some are wavering. Some are falling. Some are fulfilling John’s prophecy that in the war with Satan, some Saints would be overcome. (See Rev. 13:7.)

The prophet Lehi also saw our day in his great visionary dream of the tree of life. He saw that many people would wander blindly in the mists of darkness,which symbolized the temptations of the devil. (See 1 Ne. 12:17.) He saw some fall away “in forbidden paths,” others drown in rivers of filthiness, and still others wander in “strange roads.” (1 Ne. 8:28, 32.) When we read of the spreading curse of drugs, or read of the pernicious flood of pornography and immorality, do any of us doubt that these are the forbidden paths and rivers of filthiness Lehi described?

Not only will the word of God lead us to the fruit which is desirable above all others, but in the word of God and through it we can find the power to resist temptation,the power to thwart the work of Satan and his emissaries.

I am convinced that each of us, at least some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again. …

The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.’ (Luke 12:48.) Access to these things means responsibility for them. We must study the scriptures according to the Lord’s commandment (see 3 Ne. 23:1–5); and we must let them govern our lives. (Ensign, Sept. 1976, pp. 4–5.)

I think most of us (especially those of you taking the time to read a Sunday School blog) have the desire part down. I think that what we struggle with is the practice of it. Maybe you don't, but I gathered and brainstormed a bunch of ideas (many of them aren't new) to help you in your scripture study. I call it: 

Drinking deeply but quickly:

training the mind to let you receive revelation no matter the length of your study session

• Narrow your study to one topic. Look up different scriptures about the topic and tie them together. Compare them. Apply them to your situation.
• Read a small block of scriptures and focus on how they testify of the Savior
• Read one verse and then think about four questions: 1. Is there anything in this verse that I don't understand? (words, concepts, context) 2. What does this teach me about God? 3. What does it teach me about the Atonement? 4. Why did God want ME to read this. Why was this saved for MY day?
• Read a verse of scripture and then write a few paragraphs about it
• Put yourself in the scripture. Replace the name that is being addressed with your own name
• Read a verse and look for patterns and repetitions. Ask yourself, "why are they repeating this?"
• Compare two accounts of the same event
• Look for commandments and their promised blessings
• Read a hymn's lyrics and then look up the scriptures referenced (this can be effective during the sacrament)
• Look up scriptures that are referenced in a general conference talk that you are studying
• Read different stories of Christ (many of his experiences with individuals are only a few verses long) and focus on what attributes he is exhibiting in those verses
• Say a prayer beforehand. Explain how earnestly you desire to learn from them and don't have a lot of time. Concentrate and ask, "What would you have me learn from these verses?"
• When you see symbolism in a verse, seek to understand how the symbol is teaching us in a way that saying it outright couldn't.

How to make time for even a quick dip into the scriptures:

• Set a goal for how often and how long you want to read your scriptures and then tell someone your goal to make you accountable. 
• Identify your bad habit time wasters (i.e. using a show in the evening to help you relax from a stressful day or getting distracted on social media when you are supposed to be studying) and before you do your time waster, read your scriptures first. 
• Listen to the scriptures on audio book. 
• Set up a scheduled time to read every day. 
• Set an alarm to help you remember.

I hope that some of these ideas will help you in your study of the scriptures. I encourage you to read the scripture block this week (3 Nephi 22-26) and apply some of these ideas into your study. I am so excited to see you in class!

If your Sunday is feeling really long because of daylight savings time, here are two AMAZING talks about reading the scriptures you should read:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/reading-the-scriptures?lang=eng&_r=1

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/04/the-power-of-the-word?lang=eng

What things have helped you make your scripture study more effective and meaningful?