For Enrichment this month I was asked to talk about specifically how I do a scripture journal, so here is what I talked about. Obviously I am not doing as good with the Blogging as I used to. The day to day journal that I used to do has kind of taken a hit each time I have another little boy enter my life. I hope I can get back on track with that one a little more. But for now here is where I am at.
So as I was thinking about how I study the scriptures and
keep record of my studies it really varies from time to time. I found this
quote by David A. Bednar in a talk he gave at BYU called "A
Reservoir of Living Water" that really did summarize the ways
that I have done it through time.
"I now want to review with you three basic ways or
methods of obtaining living water from the scriptural reservoir: (1) reading
the scriptures from beginning to end, (2) studying the scriptures by
topic, and (3) searching the scriptures for connections, patterns, and
themes. Each of these approaches can help satisfy our spiritual thirst if we
invite the companionship and assistance of the Holy Ghost as we read,
study, and search."
More about the ways of obtaining living water and how to journal
them:
(1) Write down your favorite verses.
Commit to memorize ones that you feel you should.
(2)Topics could include: Faith, Repentance, Covenants, Holy
Ghost, Jesus Christ. I often study
topics that I have questions on. All my
research could go in my journal.
(3) By far the most insightful way to study the scriptures. If
you want some suggestions. Obedience and how it blesses us is the first one
that is introduced in my opinion; then the covenants and the seriousness of
them. Then tie the two together in that
our blessings and happiness is based on our obedience to the covenants. Also the love our Heavenly Father has for us
is woven into the pages. This is often
recorded for me as a testimony or a single journal entry after I have study and
recorded everything I can on connection, pattern, or theme.
One thing that has remained consistent through time in my
study is the fact that I do; every day at least 5 minutes from the Book of
Mormon. I know you say 5 minutes isn’t a
lot and you are right, but that is my minimum study time per day and who
doesn’t have 5 min? If I couldn’t find 5
minutes in my day to read my scriptures I certainly had to re-prioritize my
life a little. Scriptures study is something VERY IMPORTANT to do every day.
The end of the quote I just read has a key component to
scripture study it is to “invite the companionship and assistance of the Holy Ghost as we read,
study, and search.” This is my main goal, whatever method of
study I use, the guidance of the Holy Ghost is what I use to know what to write
in my journal/scriptures and what the Father’s will is for me.
Elder Gene R. Cook said, “I’ve found, as I’m sure you have,
that when you’re trying to learn from the Lord and you feel an impression from
the Spirit…Its important to make a note so it will not be forgotten. The more
you not only hear but abide by what you’ve been told, the more the Lord will
give to you. It will come more and more rapidly and you will begin to hear and
feel those impressions of the Spirit more quickly than you have previously
done.” (Address to Religious Educators, 1 September 1989)
- Journal
- Things of my Soul – personal revelation
- While conference is going, I write things that I feel prompted to work on.
- If I read an article I write what I need to work on/know for future.
- Keep quotes I want to remember.
- At times I write things I am grateful for or trials that are too personal for my blog.
- Started in the back writing scriptures I want to memorize.
- Blog
- Write about a general concept or idea I have been really touched by. Often are things I have pondered from the scriptures. Usually (3)
- Ensign or RS lesson
- When I read these words I highlight passages and write thoughts in the margins. If I have a question I write it down so I can study it later.
- Scriptures
- I highlight kind of odd. I highlight words that I want to remember. I then write in the margin why I highlighted it. Or if the whole scripture is good I highlight the whole thing then I circle, underline, highlight darker the key concept/phrase/words.
- Highlighting wise; sometimes there is a principle, like how to repent, contained in a chapter so I write, “how to repent” with 1-5. Then in the scriptures I number the steps. It goes for how to avoid pride, what priest craft is, anything that has more than one answer not in the same verse.
- Cross reference things that I need clarification on. If it helps I highlight the cross reference in the footnotes.
- If there is a general concept for a passage I want to remember I write that in the margin. Such as: “families are forever in the temple”, “Benjamin put family first.” (on page 146)
- I sometimes write the general idea for two pages in the bottom right hand corner.
- If there is a quote I want with a scripture I either type it out and have it as an insert or write it in.
- In short anything that helps me understand or ponder the things on a page I write it IN my scriptures. I like that way because it is there when I am reading through there again.
Journal suggestions:
- Study basket: quotes, Ensigns, RS and Sunday School manuals, post-it notes, double sided tape, scripture pencils.
- Study by topic, but still have a “random thoughts” page
- big binder + alphabetical dividers + notebook paper for each topic as they arise and note down any scriptures I find in my studying that I always want to correlate with a certain topic listed on those pages. I chose a binder instead of a notebook so that I could add other papers, such as talks, quotes or newspaper clippings. Note: If I do use a notebook just don’t put the actual talks or papers just make reference to them and where they can be found. Kind of like a works cited page.
- My Study Notebook on lds.org
