Finding Peace

A few weeks ago, I got some very difficult news. It weighed on my heart over the next couple of days. One morning, I struggled through my workout, feeling like I was on the verge of a panic attack. I felt desperate to talk to someone but I knew it needed to wait until after school. I felt like I couldn't handle teaching that morning and wasn't sure how I would get through it. 

When I got home, I decided I needed to focus on scriptures that talk about peace instead of my normal studying. I prayed for peace and then started reading. 

I have never had such a complete change in how I felt as I did that morning. I read scripture after scripture about the Lord's ability to help me feel peace, no matter what is happening in my life. By the time I needed to get ready for the day, I realized that I felt completely at peace. The sense of panic was completely gone and I knew I could face the day with confidence.

The problem didn't disappear. But my faith in the Lord to guide me through it was strengthened. I got a tiny taste of Godly patience: the ability to face difficulty confidently. He knows my struggles and my heart. He lifts me as I put my faith in Him. I have seen this in my life over and over again, and these experiences help me trust that He will continue to do so.

Feelings of the Atonement

I want to make a better effort to write down my spiritual experiences so that I can remember them later and to increase my faith in future trials. Prophets have asked us repeatedly to remember. The scriptures use that word repeatedly as well. But I know that my memory is not as good as I want it to be and even special experiences get lost overtime.

Shortly after I became the relief society president, almost 2 years ago, I had an experience talking to a friend who was going through a very difficult time. I spent a lot of time with her and a lot of time on my knees praying for her. One morning, I was praying for her and was having a difficult time finding the words to pray. My heart was hurting for her and her family. After a time, I had an overwhelming feeling that what I was experiencing at that time was a tiny taste of what my Savior experienced for me and for her and for everyone else. It broadened my understanding and strengthened my faith in my Savior, knowing that He knows exactly what she was going through. I wish I could bottle up the exact feeling I felt or even describe it in more depth because it was unlike any spiritual experience I've had before or since.

As we draw nearer to Easter, I want to consider my Savior and His sacrifice for me and remember that experience. Many times in my life, I have received comfort and strength because of him.  I trust in him to continue helping me in my life. I have grown to be a better person as I turn to him again and again. I love Jesus Christ and I am a better person because of everything He has done and continues to do for me.

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.