Lest I Forget

"Ponder the scriptures regularly, and remember the thoughts and feelings you experience as you read them," Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Lest Thou Forget, October 2016.

One of the best ways I've found to make scripture study more meaningful is to write down my thoughts. Taking notes during scripture study or even general conference talks takes more effort than just reading or listening, but can provide many benefits.

• Taking notes helps me remember better and also provides a record I can refer back to later.
• My mind is much more focused. Note-taking helps me stay awake despite my insanely early study schedule and my mind also wanders much less.
• As I write, I have additional insights that I wouldn't have if I didn't take more time to think. This is one way I can go beyond the superficial to a deeper level. Sometimes, I don't even solidify my thoughts until I start writing.

Over the years, I have used several different forms of note taking. I like to change it up because I learn different things. Following are some methods that have helped me.

• During one period, I wrote one thing I noticed each day. I left it vague so I could write whatever came to my mind that day.
• Another time, I made it more specific by writing about one thing I could apply to my life from my readings.
• Reading in the Gospel Library app allows for more types of notes. I copy and paste lots of quotes from other things I read like the seminary and institute manuals, commentaries, and more. With all quotes, I list the source as well.
• During lessons in church, I sometimes put quotes from the teacher in the app.
• I note specific insights I have while reading and experiences that connect to the scriptures.

A few years ago, I recorded an experience right in my scriptures. I highlighted part of Enos 1:11. The scripture says, "I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites."

This is the note I added to this verse. "Landon was having a hard time because Tyler had been pestering him frequently. He was in tears and angry and he couldn't focus on getting his chores done. I had him read about Enos and then try praying for Tyler, like Enos prayed for the Lamanites. After that, he was able to calm down and from then on, he was Tyler's biggest cheerleader to earn smilies and get the prizes he was working for. It really improved their relationship."

There's nothing special about the writing, but now every time I study the Book of Enos, I will always be able to remember this time that I applied the scripture to my life in a positive way.

To add a note to the Gospel Library App, highlight a section in the scriptures or any other resource. With the highlight selected, tap Note. Type in a note or paste from another source.

Whether you prefer a hand-written notebook or the digital version like me, take some time to write notes during your scripture study. The Spirit has more time to speak to us when we slow down a little.

Don't Lose Your Place

 

Do you ever avoid turning to a scripture during class because you don't want to lose your place? You can always use the back button, but that can be tedious. One of my favorite features of the Gospel Library app is called Screens. It's similar to using different tabs on a web browser. The idea is you can have multiple tabs open for all of the resources you use on a regular basis.

Some of the screens that I use include:

• Personal - For my daily scripture study
• Family - Come Follow Me lesson for the week with my family
• General Conference - I try to read or listen to at least one talk each week between conference sessions
• RS - For the talk we will be discussing in our next RS lesson
• Primary - When I taught primary, this was for the next primary lesson
• Seminary - I've been reading from the seminary manual to supplement my Come Follow Me studies
• Ensign - For the current Ensign issue
• Temp - I always keep one screen open for just random things I need to look up during a class or other temporary purposes

I always rename each screen so it's easy to see what I'm looking for. Last I knew, the Android app could do this, but the app for iPhones could not. The Screens page also looks very different on iPhones. Keep in mind that the apps are continually changing, though. Maybe this little tip can help you get more out of the app for multiple settings, as well.

Color: Form or Function?

Did you ever have a seminary teacher who was obsessed with color coding the scriptures? My daughter’s teacher last year was constantly telling them to use this color or that one as they highlighted. I remember just highlighting in different colors to make it look prettier when I was younger, but the colors didn’t mean anything. A few years ago, I discovered how useful the colors can truly be. I started out with just a few colors and have expanded it over time. And thanks to my digital scriptures, I have even been able to change my codes as I have refined my study skills.

Two of my favorite highlight colors are pink and purple. Yes, they are two of my favorite colors, but I chose these colors for some of my most powerful highlights. Anytime I see anything that I should do in my life, I highlight it with pink. This helps me to “liken all scriptures unto” me, like Nephi counseled. Purple goes hand-in-hand with pink. I highlight all blessings the scriptures describe in purple. I love being able to scroll through any chapter and see at a glance the things I should do and the blessings I will receive if I do them. I use gray as the flipside – the things I shouldn’t do and the consequences if I do.

One of my most helpful colors, especially for the Bible, is green. I went through all of the footnotes and if there is a Joseph Smith Translation, I highlighted it green. I also use this if there are other helpful footnotes that I want to pay attention to, like clarifying a Greek translation or a scripture that is especially enlightening.

To highlight on the Gospel Library app:

• Tap and hold on one word, then drag little arrows to select text
• Tap Style to change colors/styles
• Tap anywhere off highlight to deselect
• Select previously highlighted text by tapping it

Here is my current color code. Give it a try and tweak it to fit your style and study preferences.

• Yellow- History
• Red- Prophecies given or fulfilled
• Dark Blue- Miracles
• Pink- Things I need to do
• Purple- Blessings
• Grey- Warnings/Consequences
• Turquoise- Gospel principles
• Brown- Godhead
• Orange- Names for Christ/God
• Green- Check footnotes, especially for JST

Highlighting with a purpose has truly changed the way I focus on the scriptures in a dramatic way. My ability to pay attention to what the scriptures are saying has increased, and I find myself studying more deeply just by categorizing what I’m reading. I have a LOT of color, and it now has so much more meaning for me than just making it cute. Don’t get me wrong – I like things to be cute, but to be cute and useful is even better.

Studying Together is Better

Several years ago, my relief society presidency decided to start a weekly scripture study class for the sisters in the ward. They asked one of my neighbors to teach the class. She was very dedicated and put together amazing lessons and I went every week. I studied on my own before each class and learned so much from her. After over a year of this class, this wonderful sister got sick. She had already had 3 liver transplants and needed another. When she went into the hospital, her husband asked me to sub for her. She never got better and I continued teaching every week, even after she passed away.

This was a huge turning point for my personal scripture study. As I studied each week with the intention of sharing my thoughts with the sisters who attended the class, I understood and noticed so much more from the scriptures. I saw connections that I had never seen before and I was able to relate them to my daily life on a level I had never had before. I also was richly blessed by the amazing sisters who came regularly and shared their insights with me. I learned so much from them, as well.

I taught this class weekly for almost 4 years. Then I was offered a job teaching part time, and I had to quit teaching this class. My personal study continued to be regular after this, but I lost the weekly experience of sharing what I learned from others and hearing what they were learning as well. I felt this loss keenly.

When the Come Follow Me program was started this year, I got some of this back. Now as I read, I think of what I should share with my family and I’m learning on a deeper level again. My study time is more energized as I feel greater responsibility to teach and share with my family.

My mom started a group of several single sisters in her ward, since she doesn’t have anyone at home with her anymore. They study the scriptures together and it has been a blessing for her.

So my tip for today is to find people to study with on a regular basis and pour your heart into finding meaningful ways to share with those people, whether it is your family or another group. Your personal study will improve and you will bless others, as well. Happy studying!

Your Spiritual Foundation is Worth Time

I was asked to teach a class about meaningful scripture study at our stake relief society women’s conference a couple of weeks ago. I had ideas pour into my mind over the next 2 days for what I could share from my own experience with studying the scriptures. After the classes were over, I starting thinking about sharing my ideas with others through social media. After much thought, I decided to start sharing little tips periodically. Maybe you aren’t interested in what I have to say, and that’s fine. But if you want to improve your scripture study, maybe something I share might help you.

I have always loved the scriptures and read them regularly throughout high school and college. When Abby was born, I continued to read almost every day until she stopped nursing. All of a sudden, I felt like I didn’t have time to study when she was awake and at the time, I wasn’t willing to get up before her to study. It was maybe two or three years that my studying was more sporadic. When I finally decided to set my alarm and get up early, I noticed a difference in how I felt and my ability to be kind to my kids.

I started teaching school part time almost three years ago now and when I first started, I noticed a difference in my study time. I go to Jazzercise early, then come home and pray and study until it’s time to get in the shower. I only had about 20 minutes, which was less than I had been studying before that. Then my class switched from 5:30am to 5:00am. I work out way too early in the morning and it was a hard adjustment, but now when I come home, I have about 45 minutes to pray and study all by myself. That time is very special to me, and even makes it worth my early mornings.

So my first scripture study tip is to schedule a consistent time for yourself. I promise, it’s worth some sacrifice. If you can’t find the time, maybe you can follow the recommendation given to the youth in our ward recently. Delete an app that tends to be a time sucker for you. Then use the time you used to spend on that app and study the scriptures. The Spirit can help us all to get more out of the scriptures if we’re ready to invest the time and effort into it.