Study the Scriptures
Doctrine & Covenants 26
"Let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures."
Apparently ten years ago, when blogging was new and exciting, I went through the Doctrine and Covenants and recorded my notes for each section. The above sentence was the extent of this entry (made 12 April 2009), and I figured it was time to expand upon it just a bit.
I was searching to see if I had ever recorded this quote by President Howard W. Hunter:
"Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives."
Even taken out of context, that's a powerful statement. However, let's quickly put it into context. President Hunter was giving a conference talk on the importance of studying the scriptures. He used the story of Jairus' daughter, which is a part of this week's "Come Follow Me" study, as an example of the depth of understanding that can come from a simple little story.
President Hunter notes that it takes less than 30 seconds to read the few verses describing this incident; however, there are many, many lessons we can learn from it if we study and pay attention. The fact that Jesus brings life to everything and anyone is just one of them.
That's a nice point, but what I really wanted to record were some of his general thoughts on studying the scriptures themselves. They include:
Where could there be more profitable use of time than reading from the scriptural library the literature that teaches us to know God and understand our relationship to him? Time is always precious to busy people, and we are robbed of its worth when hours are wasted in reading or viewing that which is frivolous and of little value.
Perhaps what is more important than the hour of the day is that a regular time be set aside for study. It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful. The important thing is to allow nothing else to ever interfere with our study.
"Let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures."
Apparently ten years ago, when blogging was new and exciting, I went through the Doctrine and Covenants and recorded my notes for each section. The above sentence was the extent of this entry (made 12 April 2009), and I figured it was time to expand upon it just a bit.
I was searching to see if I had ever recorded this quote by President Howard W. Hunter:
"Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives."
Even taken out of context, that's a powerful statement. However, let's quickly put it into context. President Hunter was giving a conference talk on the importance of studying the scriptures. He used the story of Jairus' daughter, which is a part of this week's "Come Follow Me" study, as an example of the depth of understanding that can come from a simple little story.
President Hunter notes that it takes less than 30 seconds to read the few verses describing this incident; however, there are many, many lessons we can learn from it if we study and pay attention. The fact that Jesus brings life to everything and anyone is just one of them.
That's a nice point, but what I really wanted to record were some of his general thoughts on studying the scriptures themselves. They include:
- Concentrated study, not casual perusal.
- Set aside a specific time each day.
- Start with prayer.
- Study alone. Study as families.
- Develop a plan.
Where could there be more profitable use of time than reading from the scriptural library the literature that teaches us to know God and understand our relationship to him? Time is always precious to busy people, and we are robbed of its worth when hours are wasted in reading or viewing that which is frivolous and of little value.
Perhaps what is more important than the hour of the day is that a regular time be set aside for study. It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful. The important thing is to allow nothing else to ever interfere with our study.
I'm grateful for a husband who has consistently set the example to read and study the scriptures every single day. It really does bring great blessings into our lives.
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