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.