I have a friend that lives in my ward from church. We have attended meetings together for eight years now. When we first moved to the Chicago area, we lived in an apartment closer to the city, and Tanja, that is my friend's name, lived in the building right next to us. Through a great twist of fate, they ended up moving from another spot in a nearby city, into our complex, just weeks after us. Then, while our house was being built, Tanja and her husband began looking for a home. Coincidentally, they ended up in a city that is in our ward, yet again!
We have similar last names. I should say, we have last names that start with the same letter. And this has been enough to throw all of the people around us into confusion. We are them, and they are us, half of the time. Both families have learned to answer to both last names. The mix-ups just make us smile. We don't bother to correct people anymore.
It is actually a privilege on my part to be confused with Tanja on any level.
She is one of the most devout women I know. She is mindful of every principal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and she lives them. I am sure that sometimes she wishes she could get a little more credit than being constantly mixed up with the likes of me.
When I first met Tanja, she was giving a small lesson at a Relief Society function. Relief Society is the organization run by, and founded for, women of the Church.
In her little talk, Tanja mentioned how at a young age, she set a goal for herself, that by the end of her life she would be a great Scriptiorian. She wanted to know the Bible, Book of Mormon, and other works, as well as she possibly could.
I found this to be a fascinating goal. Not just to say I have read this, or that. But to KNOW...where to look, who did what, and when it happened, and the meaning behind all of it. It stuck with me. And I am positive Tanja is well on her way.
I have a bit further to go. Okay... a lot further. But I want to get there too. As I have read The Book of Mormon this year, I have often thought, "Oh, I need to remember to look up what the symbolism, or meaning of that is." about one topic or another.
I have seen on other's blogs, that they have found guides to read as a companion to their scriptures, to help them decipher things that are difficult to grasp. But at the moment, who had what posted is slipping my mind.
So I wonder if you know of a good guide to follow along with scripture study, would you mind sharing?
It would greatly help me on my path to being a Scriptorian, in my own way.
"The mind can’t work in a vacuum. If you want to come to an understanding about something, you’ve got to [have] facts to work with, information. And sometimes as you’re pondering a problem you realize you don’t have all the data, you don’t have the facts. You need to go back and get more. Or some of the facts may not have been accurate. . . . Be sure that the data you’re working with is accurate.”
Elder Richard G. Scott
5 comments:
Jess, Thank you so much for this post. Scripture study is so important and I have been lacking in that department lately. Thanks for the reminder! :)
I'll be interested to see what other people post to this question too. The only one I've ever used is my old Book of Mormon Institute manual. After reading your post I think I'll get it out again. It gives a lot of insite into what I'm reading. If you still have your's you should pull it out. It's really good. Also, I was just talking to my vt companion about this and she said that when she takes several weeks or months and devotes it to just one topic at a time as if she's preparing a talk that it is her favorite way to study the scriptures. I've wanted to give that a try too.
You're a great example Jess. I just know lots of people look up to you in the same way you look up to your friend. I do. :)
In the past I read the institute manual that went along with whatever Works I was reading (Book of Mormon student manual when reading the Book of Mormon, for example). I preferred studying with an institute manual because I knew the information in it came directly from the leaders of the Church. I'm not a big fan of commentaries. They have their place, but I'd like to learn as much on my own -- through the Spirit -- as I can. Also, when I really want to remember something I have read, or have a question I want to study further the next day I read, I write in my journal. I don't know if you keep a regular journal in addition to your blog, but if you don't, just get a notebook to write down whatever questions or thoughts you have. I have done that time and again. I really, really wish I were more consistent with that because that has helped me greatly in the past! I really appreciate your post today because I needed a reminder of how to study my scriptures in a more meaningful way. I go through spurts and I can definitely do better!! :)
You two are great women, I miss you! Next time I come to Chicago we must do a GNO!
Douglas Bassett (I believe that was his name)has an amazing commentary book for the Book of Mormon. He is an institute instructor and it's pretty much all quotes from leaders of the church. Another thing that I have started doing that I find helpful is keeping a notebook close and whenever something strikes me I write it down, whether it's a direct quote or just a thought that comes to my mind. It's great to look back on those. Love all of the institute manuals. Plus, I love writing the quotes and notes I absolutely love right in my scriptures so they are handy to share if inspired to do so.
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