First, a small item of business: The General Conference photo contest actually ended in a tie. Diane and Amanda both got exactly 35% of the vote. I hadn’t anticipated a tie, so I had to resort to a highly-scientific method to determine the winner: a coin toss. So, congratulations to both of you, but the coin determined that Amanda was the winner. Please send me an email with your mailing address and I’ll drop your prize in the mail.
“My daughter spent an entire session making this.”
————————
The general conference talks are all posted online now, so let the studying begin. I decided that we’ll just go through them one-by-one in the same order they were given. That means this week, we’ll tackle Elder Scott’s excellent talk about scripture study:
| The Power of Scripture by Richard G. Scott |
What stood out to you as you studied this talk? His counsel seemed heavy with action items; what kind of goals did you walk away with? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And are you up to a little GCBC challenge this week? Pick a scripture to memorize and come back here to report when you’ve done it. Then we’ll have a “new friend” that will act like a “packet of light” in our lives.
To anyone who is checking out GCBC for the first time, the goal is to read one General Conference talk a week and discuss it together as an on-line “book club.” If you want more information about how it works, go here. And then join us.
Diapers and Divinity 
What stood out to me was his instruction; “To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort and a source of motivation for a needed change.”
What a cool man.
~Shari
Here’s the part that spoke/speaks to me:
“How do you personally use the scriptures? Do you mark your copy? Do you put notes in the margin to remember a moment of spiritual guidance or an experience that has taught you a profound lesson? Do you use all of the standard works, including the Old Testament?”
I am going to make a conscious effort to come up with a plan. I recently received a new calling and bought myself some new scriptures. I am excited to decide how to mark them up and use them as a workbook for my daily life.
I loved the imagery of forging shelves full of friends by studying and memorizing the scriptures. But more than anything, I loved the lasting memory he has of his wife quietly reading the Book of Mormon each year, that she taught with the power of the Book of Mormon and taught their missionaries (wasn’t Elder Christofferson one of them?) to do the same. When Elder Scott came to my mission to speak to us, he spoke for about an hour on a couple of verses and I have never learned so much! He suggested that from time to time we need to get a new cheap set of scriptures and read them as if all new and mark our new impressions as we receive them and that we will be blessed with new and powerful insights.
What stood out to me the most, well there were a couple of things. For me the most profound part of his talk was the scripture that he quoted D&C 11:21 “Seek not to declare my word, but seek first to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosened; then if you desire you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” I love how this scripture reminds us that it is available to us if we want it, if we desire it it is there for us. Like it is just waiting for us, first we need to obtain it through study and prayer, then we can share it. Also one of the other things that stood out to me was when he discussed his wife and her dedication to scripture study, that she had made the Book of Mormon the foundation of her life early on. This spoke to me personally because right now my daughters and I are working our way through the Book of Mormon for their personal progress, I think that the example he gave of his wife sets such a good example. Also one other thing that stood out to me was how he finds “precious jewels of truth” throughout the pages of the Old Testament and all of the works. His encouraging us to read all of the works really spoke to me. Maybe because I have been concentrating with my daughters so much on just The Book of Mormon, I don’t know, but that was really nice to be reminded that there is a treasure chest of knowledge out there just waiting to be discovered.
I like how he called the scriptures the handbooks for our lives, and our friends. And when our earthly friends are busy, or asleep, or sick, it is so reassuring to know that “our friends the scriptures” are always there anytime we need them to give us advice and encourage us. Last night I lost my temper with the kids and after they had gone to bed my husband and I listened to some conference talks online. I felt much better afterwards and I know the scriptures can work just the same, calming us and filling us with the spirit. Great talk, very spiritual man.
Jo, you’ve reminded me that I also need to make more time to study the words of the living prophets, too. It’s scripture, too!
Here are my notes as I just listened to him again. 🙂
– the scriptures are a handbook for us – guidance for us
– the scriptures are pure truth
– “Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.”
– they’re how we communicate with God and Christ
– learning, pondering, searching, memorizing – like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths
– “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures.”
– pondering scriptures gives a great deal of direction to life
– the scriptures can heal emotional challenges
– we need to read them over and over again because they take on new meanings, as we’re going through new trials/experiences
– all the scriptures are important, not just the Book of Mormon
** – I love that he shows by example – he quoted by memory a scripture from each part of the standard works
– “Those who consistently read the Book of Mormon are blessed with an added measure of the spirit of the Lord.”
One goal I have made is to memorize more scriptures. I never memorized for than one or two of the 100 scripture mastery scriptures, and I’d really like to. I also have a goal to read ALL of the standard works; I never have. Another fun idea is to record myself reading the scriptures, for something for my kids to listen to as they go to sleep!
http://seminary.lds.org/scripture-mastery/memorize.asp
Here is a fun way to memorize- and it works
pondering is inspiring:
Packets of Light
Studying the scriptures is like
Opening up packets of light
No two messages are found alike
As what inspires improves sight
Memorizing what illuminates
Allows us to put light up in store
As the Holy Ghost communicates,
We ponder… then we are given more
That is so cute! Thanks for sharing.
One of my favorite quotes from this conference address was “Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. ” I loved this quote because I felt the Spirit as Elder Scott spoke. I remembered a time in the not to distant past when this was all too true for me. I was struggling with a trial far bigger then I felt I could handle. This trial threatened to tear my family apart, and there is no dramatization in that statement. I remember clear as anything, reading in Alma about his repentance and the sweet feelings of change and conversion he felt. I remember crying as my broken heart saw the light of hope and the love of my Savior and feeling as though the scriptures were written JUST FOR ME. That is the power of the scriptures! I was grateful to hear this address and testimony, another witness, from an apostle of the Lord.
This was the part that stuck out to me as well. I’ve seen so many of my family members lately struggling with very difficult emotional circumstances and wondering what could be done to help them. I would think, maybe there’s a book somewhere, by a psychologist or somebody, that could help them. But in reality, it’s the scriptures that will help most of all and will inspire us with revelation and to find the answers we need for our trials. I also was struck by his testimony of the scriptures meaning different things to us as we go through life. I have really be struggling with scripture study lately, and I hope this talk will help me get back on track.
I too love this part, “Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, (lately my soul has been agitated) and I felt the promise given that if we not only read our scriptures, but ponder them, we will be given the promise to find the ‘peace, hope and . . .confidence . . .to overcome the challenges of life.'” As I look back on my recent very personal struggles I see the pride that I have allowed to develope and change my way of life that makes me happy.
I do know that the scriptures and other tools that we have been given will not only help to humble and soften my heart but that the scriptures do . . . .”have the potent power to HEAL emotional challenges.”
The most important thing I need to remember is to ” . . . [have] faith in the Savior.”
In hearing the talk the first time and reviewing it again just now, I got a whack upside the head about the Old Testament both times. I recently finished reading the OT straight through for the first time and to say the least, it was extremely laborious. Not an enjoyable scripture study time for me. The next time I use the Old Testament for any study, whether it’s by itself or in conjunction with something else, I definitely need to have a better attitude about it. Most of the OT takes more work than other sections of scripture, at least for me, but what are you going to get out of it if you don’t work for it.
One thing I did catch in the OT, that I’ll just throw in here for fun, is when the sins of the children of Israel were listed over and over and over, one thing that was frequently mentioned was that they did not observe the Sabbath appropriately. I did take that as a reminder to evaluate how our family observes the Sabbath and what we can do to improve.
I have heard before that the scriptures are our handbook for this life, more so that in reading them I would gain personal revelation. But I loved how he said at the beginning of his talk, “Throughout the ages, Father in Heaven has inspired select men and women to find, through the power of the Holy Ghost, solutions to life’s most perplexing problems. He has inspired those authorized servants to record those solutions as a type of handbook for those of His children who have faith in His plan of hapiness and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.” because it makes me want to go back through reading in a different light, Searching for the “perplexing problem” at it’s core so that I will be able to go back to that particular passage when I come across the same core problem.
I really liked that as well. We really can find the connections between our lives and scriptures if we ponder as well as read them I think.
That is a really wonderful idea. There are so many ways to study the scriptures, it really is incredible.
Aaaaw – I have two little girls (6 months and 2 years of age), and seeing photos like this comp. winner get me all giddy at the prospect of them engaging during conference on this level one day. Right now, I’m already crazy-happy to see the elder of the pair bouncing when our prophet is introduced…and colouring in ties in activity books. An entire mural?! Amazing. 😛
(Swingin’ by your neck o’ the woods after seeing a link to you on MMB)
“To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort and a source of motivation for a needed change.”
I memorized scriptures while I was in seminary and they came in handy again again throughout my teen age and early adult years. I haven’t done too much memorizing since I became a mother, until recently when I have been memorizing The Proclamation with my children. I forgot how helpful it is to have a bunch of scriptures just stored in my mind. I am glad for this counsel and plan to take it seriously for all of my family. I loved this talk a lot. I like all of the tips on how to better personal scripture study and already, y scripture study is better and more fulfilling.
I know I am way behind but I am trying to catch up….Anyway, this quote really stuck out too me too. I have never been good at memorizing. It takes a lot of effort of my part, effort I wasn’t willing to exert much in seminary. I have always admired people who can quote scriptures off of the top of their head though. So I am going to give it some effort. I currently teach Primary. Often at the end of the lessons they will suggest a scripture to memorize for one of the activities. Even if I don’t have my class try and memorize it, I am going to do it.
This was one of my favorite talks at Conference this time. I love the accesibility of the idea to children that reading the scriptures and memorizing them gives us friends to help us. I also had the thought that more and more we will find ourselves alone in our stand for truth and that we will need these friends.
Action items for me personally are to read from all the standard works regularly instead of just focusing on one book, and to memorize more. We already do some memorizing each week in our family, but we’ll be starting a new project in a week that I’ll share on my blog. Can’t wait!
Back in February, I made a goal to not only read my scriptures daily, but to read one chapter from ot, nt, bom, & d&c/pogp everyday. I was really good at keeping up with out for a few months, but I fell out of the practice of reading daily. For a while I tried to catch up, it’s ready to catch up one missed day, but not 4 or 5 or more… When I would read, I still made sure to read a chapter from each book, but it still hasn’t gotten back to being a regular thing for me. This talk definitely helped me to renew my resolve to get back on track with daily reading from all of the standard works.
I love the scriptures (my soul delights in them!) and I loved Elder Scott’s talk (and I’ve loved reading all the wonderful comments here on GCBC!)
Each time I read the Book of Mormon I get a new economy copy for $2.50 from the distribution center and I mark it up fresh. I mark the date I began and the date I finished it in the front, and I keep them as a “scripture journal” of sorts.
I really enjoyed this talk when I listened to it during General Conference, and I enjoyed reading it again. Something about actually reading the General Conference talks is good for me. I’m a visual learner, and I learn a lot by reading, so I really love reading the Conference talks. I was touched last General Conference by the things Elder Scott said about his wife, and I was touched again this time. Basically, I want to be just like Jeanene.
I memorized all the scripture mastery verses for Seminary, but I haven’t kept them memorized (like old friends you lose contact with!) so I really want to work on memorizing them again, as well as memorizing new scriptures.
My Goals are:
1.) Memorize the scripture mastery verses from Seminary, and add other scriptures, including scriptures from the Old Testament
2.) Read the entire Standard Works (including the Old Testament)
3.) Read the Book of Mormon once every year
I wrote more thoughts (a lot more thoughts… it’s pretty long winded…) over on My Soul Delighteth, as if I didn’t comment enough already!
I love the idea of getting a new copy and marking them up fresh!
I really like the idea of putting the beginning and ending dates and then saving them as “scripture journals.” That way when you or your posterity look back you or they will have better understanding of why that scripture stood out to you.
Thanks for the idea.
Elder Scott has always been one of my favorite speakers. I even quoted him when I had to speak at my 8th grade graduation! I really enjoyed hearing the scriptures from each of the standard works that touched him. He even got rather animated (for Elder Scott 🙂 ) when speaking!
As a family, we made it a goal at the beginning of the school year to memorize more scriptures together so, of course, hearing Elder Scott reiterate the importance of that was wonderful. I also have a newer set of scriptures I am currently trying to figure how how I want to mark them. My goal is to go through a set of scriptures, marking it well, and keep a scripture journal to go along with that set of scriptures – and then, have one set of scriptures/scripture journal to pass on to each of my children. I would love to have one of my parents’ scriptures all marked up as a keep sake. I better get busy, I have a feeling it’s going to take a lifetime to get enough sets to pass on!
What a great idea! I could see myself marking certain scriptures for each particular child who I was thinking of!
I love the idea of passing on the scripture journals and sets of marked up scriptures to your kids. I think I will do that with my little economy scriptures that I am marking up. I told my husband today that I am keeping his old scriptures to give to our kids. He balked at the idea (thought his scriptures are “too private” and he wants to just throw them away and destroy them so no one else can read them. *gasp*) but now I am encouraged to follow through, even if I have to hide his old ones from him! 🙂
It’s funny that you brought this up. I know that it is a little off topic but it reminded me of an experience that I had that I would like to share. Sister Beck always marks up her scriptures and writes notes and observations in the margins, connections that she finds, references to other scriptures etc. She told me about how her mother Sister Bangerter noticed that there wasn’t a lot of marking in them one day I can’t exactly remember if it was Julie’s scriptures or if it was one of her sisters but she made the comment that they don’t have to look pretty and neat, that if you want a set to look pretty then keep a separate set. She advised to mark away, write in the margins, write your thoughts down, use them, use that knowledge for the next time you open them and remember what you were thinking or the connection that you made. Use them, use different colors of colored pencil, write in the margins, make writing in them part of your process, and make them pretty in that way, and just keep another set if you want that you don’t mark up. Your post Becca just reminded me of that story and it has always stuck with me. When we grow up we are taught not to write in books, well other than coloring books so I think it is just natural for us to not write in books. Our scriptures are different though and I think it is a good thing to mark them up, you never know how that inspiration might help you in the future or help make sense of something later on. I can understand that your husband may feel that it is deeply personal, at the same time you are right what a “treasure” that will be for your children in the future. I read your post and just felt like sharing that story. Thanks for reminding me of that!
I would add that with the online set up on lds.org, we can mark as much as we want without the confines of tiny margins! I noticed it today when I went to lds.org to read this talk and I think that will be the thing I’m going to try to change up my scripture study.
I want to check this out. I’m a bit hesitant with all the online stuff because I really like to have them in hand, but unlimited space to pour my heart out, plus no writers cramp might be worth more than holding them in my hands.
What an incredible talk . . . what a powerful talk to being the conference Elder Scott! Just the tone of his voice and the many scripture references he used in his talk was so uplifting and inspiring and focused on a main gospel principle that many of us struggle with and desire to improve! As I pondered where to begin to memorize scripture “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change” . . .
I thought why not begin with the many scripture references he used in his talk! They are wonderful and at least for me would be the place to start. (It’s been a looonnng time since I have been in scripture memorization mode 🙂
When I listened to his talk during Conference, I thought how fun it would be to prepare a talk using some of your favorite scriptures like he did. I love the scriptures–they have been a huge part in the building and nuturing of my testimony. I too was impressed by his suggestion that we memorize scriptures. I don’t think I’ve done much of that since my mission. Your challenge to your readers to memorize & report back is a good motivator to get started on this.
I love the idea of scriptures as a friend and that scriptures are packets of light. I’ve wanted for a long time to memorize scriptures again like I did in seminary and on my mission. It is such a good thing to do, but I haven’t done it except here and there for a long time. That was one of my goals from conference, and I started with one of the scriptures from his talk that I actually read just last week and loved. I also thought today about how to encourage my children to do this also. I’d love for them to have a scripture to recall–that anytime, anywhere kind of a friend.
I loved this talk, I enjoyed re-reading it.
One thought I had while I was listening to it during conference was that I should try to memorize scriptures I use in talks and lessons. (In fact, I thought I heard that specifically called out, but I didn’t see it as I read this talk. Maybe it was in another talk during conference – or just a really strong prompting.)
Right now I’m working on a Relief Society lesson that I will teach the first Sunday of November and I’m excited to memorize the scriptures that I’m using in that lesson.
One thing that really stood out to me this time through was the promises of reading and pondering scriptures:
“Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.”
What beautiful promises. I was particularly surprised by the last one: “They can accelerate physical healing.” I don’t doubt it is true, just never thought about it that way before.
I sure wish I had my conference Ensign in my hands already. I love to mark up the talks as I read them! 🙂
I can’t wait for my conference Ensign either!
Just an idea – I marked this in my Pinterst account. It’s 24 scriptures everyone should know… I think I’ll start by memorizing one of these!
I love that, but I don’t want to buy the bookmark to get the list.
I did find this New Era Article: 5 Scriptures That Will Get You Through Almost Anything. I’ll start with those. 🙂
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d785bf9cd2f0c110VgnVCM100000176f620a____
http://bookofmormondiscovery.com/24scriptures.html
That is the link to her free download page for the 24 scriptures.
Oh yeah, I just clicked on it and looked real close, to write the references down. 🙂 But I love that article from the New Era!
Thanks for the link, Tristan!
My favorite line from this talk is, “They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar.” I recently moved to UT kicking and screaming like a 2 yr old being denied candy in the grocery store. I have found it very, very, very hard to make even a single friend here and I miss my friends in WA dearly. That simple line brought a smile to my face and comforted me. I hugged my scriptures like I would a good friend.
i loved this talk. i think any seminary teacher who hears talks about the scriptures is instantly drawn to that talk. i love the idea of MEMORIZING scriptures. it’s so awesome!!!
i recently started my own scripture journal. i’m writing down just a few thoughts from each chapter — and compiling it into my own little book.
it’s pretty incredible how many things i notice when i do this … and how PERSONAL the scriptures are to me.
thanks for doing this blog!
Just holding myself accountable – I’m going to memorize the family proclamation!
I love Elder Scott, he’s such a tender speaker, especially when he talks about his wife. I too want to be just like her. I’d love to hear my husband speak of me in the way Elder Scott speaks of her.
This was one of my favourite talks. I love my scriptures. I got a new set two years ago and I’ve been carefully marking them using color coding, symbols and cross references. My first set that I received when I was 8 was so marked up I could hardly read it, so this time I’m trying to be a bit more selective about what I mark.
I also keep a scripture journal with dates and references, I’m much better with that than a regular journal.
But you know what had never occurred to me. Memorization! And what great counsel it is to memorize, then I’d have access to the scriptures any time anywhere. This year I have been memorizing a few of the hymns and primary songs and it has really deepened my appreciation for each one as I’ve memorized them, as well as helped me in moments of struggle.
I also normally read one book of the standard works at a time, following the schedule in Sunday School, but after his talk I added The Book of Mormon daily. And it has already been a great blessing in my life. I have truly felt an increase of the Spirit in my heart, and thus in my home. Questions were answered. Solutions to problems were given. Comfort and peace flowed into my heart.
I am so grateful for this talk, for him, and for conference in general.
One other thing I felt inspired to do was pray for the General Authorities. I do it from time to time, but his sincere gratitude inspires me to do it more often.
Oh, I love it too when Elder Scott speaks about his wife. You can tell he has such a wonderful deep love for her!
Hearing his gratitude for the prayers of the saints really struck me as well. I will definitely be remembering them more often in my personal prayers as well. 🙂
Steph, I am so glad you chose Elder Scott’s talk first! 🙂 I missed most of it when something came up with the kids that needed to be taken care of right away… So I only caught the last third of it during Conference and right away I knew I had missed an amazing address. I was just able to watch it today, and wow! I loved his thoughts so very much.
For me also, the counsel to memorize scriptures was quite powerful. I haven’t really done that with much intention since my seminary days. That’s something I will definitely start doing. I saw the list of 24 scriptures suggested above, and just wanted to add this link to the list– I found this a few months back, and it’s the top 100 scriptures referred to most often by General Authorities in their Conference addresses. I found it fascinating, and I hope it’s of benefit to anyone looking for some memorization ideas! 🙂
I also felt strongly about the counsel to return to the Old Testament. I started reading the Old Testament a few months back but put it on hold to focus on the Book of Mormon this month. I’m definitely inspired to get back to it!
Love everyone’s ideas about scripture journaling. That is something I have never been good at, so I’m really enjoying hearing how you all do it. Hopefully I will find a method that works for me!
Best wishes!
Whoops! Here’s the link to those 100 scriptures I was talking about! Apparently my brain has gone to bed already. 🙂
http://www.softlore.com/download/top100.phtml
“Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.”
Love this quote reminded me of Elder Bednars talk in April about the Spirit of Revelation – Are the scriptures like a light in the room or the rising sun? Depends on the situation as Elder Scott explains.
Memorization is a great goal.
That was one of my favourite quotes too!!
I loved this talk probably because I love the scriptures. I taught Seminary for four years and developed the habit of memorizing scriptures, so I loved when Elder Scott said, “To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change.” It is so wonderful to have those scriptures in your head when you need them.
I truly believe what he said, about how they can give “solutions to life’s most perplexing problem”. Answers to our struggles can be found through prayer and scripture study.
I think the quote that touched me most was: “Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.”
I am so grateful for the scriptures.
Let me add that I think it is important to get a new set of scriptures every few years so we can mark them with new thoughts and feelings, otherwise we just re-read our old thoughts and aren’t seeking and pondering
in the same way.
A couple thoughts to add to the conversation. First of all, I have a cool (free) app on my smart phone called Scripture Mastery App that helps you memorize all the scripture mastery scriptures from the 4 standard works. It’s cool because it shows you the whole verse, then a few missing words, then most missing.
Also, I have the exact same scriptures that I’ve had for almost 20 years and I can’t bear the thought of studying a brand-new set. That’s just me, and I get why other people like a fresh new set, but I love them. They are my friends and they are full of notes and thoughts and insights from over the years. When I study them, I feel like I can see my journey and remember past spiritual experiences and build on them again. If I ever lost them and had to start over, I would mourn.
Our mission president’s car was broken into and his briefcase was stolen. the only thing that broke his heart about it was (not the iphad, but) losing his scriptures that he had been using and marking for 20 years. He just wishes the person had snatched the ipad and left his scriptures. Now we see him with his shiny gold-edged scriptures and I feel bad for him.
I just downloaded that app – I am excited to memorize these scriptures:)
I’m kind of the same way with my scriptures. I have a hard time letting go of past scripture sets. I haven’t gotten a new set since I got married, and I’m still marking them and finding new insights. I think I would mourn too if I lost them. I’m going to have to check out that app– sounds great! 🙂
Wow, lots of participation! I loved this talk, and I love the scriptures. I loved my daughter’s comment to my husband that by the end of the school year she would have 25 new friends. (We just moved and we’ve been encouraging her to make new friends.) We were supposed to think these friends would be actual people, but she was referring to the Scripture Mastery verses she’s memorizing. I hope she makes a lot of people friends, but I’m glad the scriptures are friends for her too. I need to do better at memorizing. My 50 year old brain doesn’t do that as well as my teenage brain did! I just need to decide which verses to choose; that’s difficult!
And this time around I’m going to actually do blog posts on each talk. Here’s this one: http://neverboredwhispers.blogspot.com/2011/10/gcbc-elder-scott.html
Listening to this talk live my main reflection was “Hm. The great majority of the scriptures he quotes are scripture mastery scriptures.” On re-reading it right now what struck me was the power of those scriptures and a realization of why they are so valuable.
The part that stood out to me the most was the scripture about not seeking to declare the word but first to obtain it. I need to work harder on obtaining it, then I hope I will find opportunities to share it, as that is what I will (and do now) desire.
I loved this talk and the reminder it was of how important and relevant the scriptures still are. After hearing and reading this talk I have made the following goals:
1) memorize scriptures – I think I will start with the scripture mastery ones but after hearing Jeannie the other night at spiritual literacy I would like to memorize the account of the first vision too!
2) turn to the scriptures more during times of trials. Prayer and temple attendance are usually my main defense but I see now that scriptures should be too.
3) study from all the standard works – I find it hard to study them all at once so tend to focus on just one.
I like how Elder Scott talks about how prophets write down “solutions” in the scriptures. What a great way to look at that. It seems so simple, but the scriptures really are books of solutions for us! I also love this quote, “Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.” Over and over, my agitated soul has been calmed by reading the scriptures. His focus on memorizing scriptures has inspired me to focus again on memorizing verses with my family. My young daughters amazed me at what they could do when we used to focus on a scripture every couple of weeks.
It seems I’m a week behind on this, but still plan to chime in at the 11th hour. Studying this talk this week by listening to it each morning and then reading it on Sunday, has been a real adventure in living with the Spirit. Thank you for your work.
One profound part of his talk was the scripture that he quoted Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 “Seek not to declare my word, but seek first to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosened; then if you desire you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” This scripture tells me God’s Word is available if I want to make the effort to obtain it through study and prayer. Throughout history this has not always been the case, making me a very blessed individual. Attempting to share what we have not taken the time to obtain is unsuccessful at best. I don’t think that means we should not share a testimony if it is basic. Certainly, anyone can have a testimony of certain things without having yet gained a testimony of all things. However, I like this invitation to become a scriptorian.
I enjoyed the tender way he discussed his deceased wife’s dedication to scripture study, making this practice the foundation of her life early on. This spoke to me personally, because scripture study has been such a strength to me both in times of trial and peace. I also have found “precious jewels of truth” throughout the pages of the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, LDS Hymnal, and words of modern prophets; I can’t image doing without any of these friends. There is a treasure chest of truth, guidance, and joy just waiting to be discovered in the pages of these books.
When Elder Scott asked the following questions, I clapped my hands for joy. “How do you personally use the scriptures? Do you mark your copy? Do you put notes in the margin to remember a moment of spiritual guidance or an experience that has taught you a profound lesson? Do you use all of the standard works, including the Old Testament?” Writing devotionals for my little school, I made a conscious effort to come up with a plan for my personal devotionals–new scriptures to mark, a new journal to record my thoughts about my latest journey, and a newly repaired violin to play tender strains of hymns. For years, the scriptures have been my workbook for my daily life. After listening to Elder Scott’s tender teachings this week, I plan to work at making them real ‘tools to help [me] be successful in [my] mortal probation.’
The imagery of the scriptures, as the ‘handbooks for [my] life and [my] friends’ will ever stick in my brain. Often when I hear people say there is no handbook for raising children or marriage, I beg to differ and remind them that Heavenly Father didn’t send us hear to fail. He gave us a handbook. Elder Scott looks at the scriptures in a similar way, but adding the idea that they are our friends really spoke to my soul. When our earthly friends are too busy to help (assuming that our friendships are real), it is reassuring to know that I have real “friends [in] the scriptures.” It seems that I’ve always known this truth, because I’ve found pondering scriptures gives a great deal of direction in life and a wonderful form of communication with My Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I continually read them over and over again, because they take on new meaning, as new trials/experiences occur. Elder Scott echoed my sentiments, when he said, “Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges, when there is faith in the Savior. ”
I memorize scripture, quotes, and hymns, but want to be more diligent in this pursuit. After hearing Elder Scott quote and expound a few favorites during this talk, I’m inspired to do better in this area. Additionally, to record myself reading the scriptures for my grandchildren is something I’m taking into consideration. I loved immersing myself in this talk, while working in the kitchen each morning. While kitchen work is a delight for me, it was much more meaningful to share this time with this meek servant of the Lord.
I loved this talk. I had been praying so hard before conference started for spiritual guidance during the conference. And out came Elder Scott. The first thing he says is about the power of our prayers and how much they need them! And his talk about scriptures was perfect for me. I just felt that talk answered so many things for me and I am so grateful for these wonderful men and women who work so hard to speak to us after studying, praying and fasting over their topics.
“Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life.”
I have noticed my soul being agitated more frequently, and as Elder Scott spoke these words, the spirit prompted me to have more meaningful scripture study and that is where I will find peace.
As Elder Scott listed off some of his favorite scriptures from each of the standard works, it made me want to list mine as well, so here we go:
Old Testament:
Psalms 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
I love the promise that this scripture brings. We can set goals in our life, then turn it over to the Lord, and He will help it happen. Beautiful!
New Testament:
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This scripture brings to mind the Christus statue sculpted by Bertel Thorvaldsen. I love the open invitation that the scripture gives us to come into Christ’s open arms and find peace, like a giant hug on a bad day.
Doctrine and Covenants:
D&C 9:8-9 “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.”
The reason I like this scripture is because it has been a great source to me time and time again as I strive to find answers to my prayers.
Pearl of Great Price:
Moses 7:18 “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.”
I love Zion! I have never been good with contention, and I love the idea of being completely united.
Book of Mormon:
Enos 1:27 ” 27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.”
Enos is my favorite part of the Book of Mormon, because I love what he teaches about prayer. This is the very last verse from Enos, and I love the confidence and assurance from the spirit that he has going into death. Also, I am eager to hear similar words of pleasure from my maker when I meet Him saying, ‘Come unto me, ye blessed, I have a place prepared for you and it is with me.’
I am grateful for the roadmap that the scriptures are to us, and like Elder Scott says, they will continue to speak out to us as we search diligently their pages.
I sometimes wonder if I really paid attention during conference…I look at my notes, and then read the talks and there is so much I missed!
I liked his analogies….scriptures are:
*a handbook,
*packets of light,
*friends,
*a foundation,
*a key.
I especially liked his story of his wife’s reading the BofM each year….think I have a new goal to set (and I will be able to start with this year 🙂
I took special interest in his comments that “they have the power to heal emotional challenges….They can accelerate physical healing.” One of the reasons I can count this year as Year 1 of completing the BofM is that in the spring I began a dedicated effort to read my scriptures each day….because the last 2 years (and counting) have been the worst of my life, with no immediate end in sight. There is a very real connection between ones’ psychological/emotional health and their physical health. Mine are both very very ill. For no reason other than we are often counseled to read the BofM, that is where I started. I have just begun Helaman.
My challenges of the last couple of years also made this comment very very real to me: “Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs.” I have gained innumerable insights over the last few months, things I don’t recall ever noticing or understanding before, and things I might not have otherwise.
My ears perked up at his question “How do you personally mark your scriptures?” I have always written, highlighted, etc my scriptures. (I got ‘new’ scriptures a couple of years ago….still trying to transfer my notes from the previous set.) During April GC, I found a blog that has become one of my favorites. She has oodles and oodles of scripture teaching and learning helps….and ideas for “fitting” more notes on a page. It’s http://www.theredheadedhostess.com/
Don’t get me wrong, I love technology and knowing that anywhere I go, the scriptures are available to me…even without my notes 😉 …but I really am a pen and paper gal. Another part of my study has encompassed the Old Testament, as my son has decided (was “asked’ by a friend) to attend Seminary this year….so I have been studying the OT as well, using the Seminary student and teacher’s manuals. There is a quote in the beginning of the teacher’s manual about this very thing….ironically, the quote is from Elder Scott! It is long, so I won’t type it here, but you can find it on page 12 of the Old Testament Teachers Resource Manual.
I’ve loved the comments here…given me insights and ideas. Whoever posted goals….stealing that idea now:
1. Read the Book of Mormon each year from 2011 forward
2. Memorize scriptures that are important to me or teach a vital concept
3. List of favorite scriptures (carry over from April GC)
Joel and I are using this book club as our couple study. The idea of him making a recording of the BOM for his family make me cry .What a powerful gift. I also loved his love of the Old Tetemtant and that he finds stregth in those passages. I feel like I need to find an intimate way to present the scruiptures to my children with how much I love them. The recording idea, or something of that may be a good idea. Maybe the sould of thr voice reading does more that the fornal scioture setting does. Binds familiies.
I have spent this year reading the entire Standard Works (I have never read the entire Bible), I will finish on Dec. 31. This talk encouraged me to keep going and to make a new goal for next year. I am going to get a inexpensive Book of Mormon and spend the entire year studying it. I am also going to work with my children on memorizing more scriptures (as soon as we finish the Articles of Faith). Thanks for hosting! I will be playing catch-up this week (better late than never right?)! 🙂
Pingback: GCBC - Elder Scott - Never Bored