Tips for Scripture Tips for Scripture StudyStudy

““Study topically as well as Study topically as well as chronologically. Both approaches chronologically. Both approaches have merit, but we need to go to have merit, but we need to go to the Topical Guide or the index the Topical Guide or the index from time to time and read all that from time to time and read all that the Lord has said on repentance, the Lord has said on repentance, or faith, or some other principle.”or faith, or some other principle.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard

“Be Strong in the Lord”http://

speeches.byu.edu

Elder Henry B. EyringElder Henry B. EyringEnsignEnsign, May 2004, May 2004

““The first, the middle, and the last The first, the middle, and the last thing to do is to pray.”thing to do is to pray.”

Elder M. Russell BallardElder M. Russell Ballard“Be Strong…”“Be Strong…”

http://speeches.byu.edhttp://speeches.byu.edu u

““If possible, set a consistent time If possible, set a consistent time and place to study when you can and place to study when you can be alone and undisturbed.” be alone and undisturbed.”

President Howard W. President Howard W. HunterHunter

EnsignEnsign, Nov. 1979, 64 , Nov. 1979, 64 It would be ideal if an hour could be spent It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired.can be acquired.

……But I Don’t Have Time!But I Don’t Have Time! In the past week, how much time have

you spent watching TV or movies? In the past week, how much time have

you spent talking on the phone? In the past week, how much time have

you spent sending email or other messages to friends?

In the past week, how much time have you spent doing extracurricular activities?

In the past week, how much time have you spent playing video games?

In the past week, how much time have you spent studying the scriptures?The Scriptures and the The Scriptures and the

T.V. GuideT.V. Guide

Elder David A. Bednar, Elder David A. Bednar, “Understanding the “Understanding the

importance of scripture importance of scripture study” study”

http://web.byui.edu/presentahttp://web.byui.edu/presenta

tionstionsRecording what we learn and writing about what we think and feel as we study the scriptures helps us to revisit the same spirit that brought the initial insight or revelation and invites even greater understanding than was originally received. Recording our learnings and writing about our thoughts and feelings is another form of pondering and of always remembering him and is an invitation to the Holy Ghost for continued instruction.  I personally bear testimony of the power of this principle.

Elder Henry B. EyringElder Henry B. Eyring((To Draw Closer to GodTo Draw Closer to God,,

151). 151).

"The effect of sincere prayer and "The effect of sincere prayer and careful scripture study is to always careful scripture study is to always feel an urging to feel an urging to do do things"things"

Elder Russell M. Elder Russell M. Nelson Nelson

((EnsignEnsign Nov. 2000, Nov. 2000, 18).18).

““Achieving scriptural guidance is Achieving scriptural guidance is aided by posing pertinent aided by posing pertinent questions.”questions.”

Elder Henry B. Elder Henry B. EyringEyring

((EnsignEnsign, Jan. 2002, , Jan. 2002, 32). 32).

““You will be taught more easily as you You will be taught more easily as you approach the scriptures if you search with approach the scriptures if you search with a question and with a determination to act a question and with a determination to act on the answer. We can receive what seems on the answer. We can receive what seems to us new truth when we go back to the to us new truth when we go back to the same scripture with new questions”same scripture with new questions”

Elder Henry B. Elder Henry B. EyringEyring

((EnsignEnsign, July 2005, , July 2005, 22). 22).

““Sometimes I go to the scriptures for Sometimes I go to the scriptures for instruction. I go with a question, and the instruction. I go with a question, and the question usually is, “What would God have question usually is, “What would God have me do?” or ‘What would He have me feel?’ me do?” or ‘What would He have me feel?’ Invariably I find new ideas, thoughts I have Invariably I find new ideas, thoughts I have never had before, and I receive inspiration never had before, and I receive inspiration and instruction and answers to my and instruction and answers to my questions.”questions.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Elder Jeffrey R. HollandHolland

((Summer 1992 CES Summer 1992 CES Satellite Broadcast, Satellite Broadcast,

4).4).““Please…read more slowly and more Please…read more slowly and more carefully and with more questions in carefully and with more questions in mind…Ponder, [and] examine every mind…Ponder, [and] examine every

word, every scriptural gem…Hold it up word, every scriptural gem…Hold it up to the light, and turn it, look and see to the light, and turn it, look and see

what’s reflected and refracted there…what’s reflected and refracted there…such an examination may unearth a such an examination may unearth a treasure hidden in a field: a pearl of treasure hidden in a field: a pearl of

great price; a pearl beyond price”great price; a pearl beyond price”

Elder D. Todd Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Christofferson, EnsignEnsign, ,

May 2004, 11.May 2004, 11.

““You should care more about the amount of You should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. can remember and learn more.

Elder D. Todd Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Christofferson, EnsignEnsign, ,

May 2004, 11.May 2004, 11.

Studying in this way, you may not Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you.”He will be speaking to you.”

Elder Henry B. EyringElder Henry B. Eyring“Always”“Always”

http://speeches.byu.eduhttp://speeches.byu.edu I plead with you to return to the scriptures I plead with you to return to the scriptures in some way that opens your mind and in some way that opens your mind and heart to be taught…The Savior gave us the heart to be taught…The Savior gave us the scriptures, at a price paid by prophets we scriptures, at a price paid by prophets we cannot measure, so that we could know cannot measure, so that we could know Him. Lose yourself in them. Decide now to Him. Lose yourself in them. Decide now to read more and more effectively than you read more and more effectively than you have ever done before.have ever done before.

INVITATIONS

Pray about how long you should study for each day.

Choose a specific purpose in your scripture study.