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In that description of preparing for spiritual battle, I have been impressed that most of the protection the Lord outlines for us there is somewhat defensive. The revelation speaks of breastplates and shields and helmets, all of which are important and protective but which leave us, in a sense, without an actual weapon yet. Are we only to be on the defensive? Are we simply to ward off blows and see it through and never be able, spiritually speaking, to strike a blow? No. We are supposed to advance in this and win a battle that started in heaven long ago. So we need some kind of even chance on the offense, and we are given it. You are given it. The weapon that is mentioned, the thing that allows us to actually do battle with the “darkness of this world,” to use Paul’s phrase, is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:12, 17; italics added). May I repeat that? “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” I love that marriage of spiritual concepts.
It is little wonder that as times get tougher and the going gets rockier, the Brethren have focused our curriculum at every level, every level in the Church and every level in CES, on the scriptures. Please immerse yourself in them and immerse your students in them. Don’t stray off into forbidden paths and get lost in mists of darkness. You know what happened to those folks! Stay with the rod of iron, which is the word of God. -Jeffrey R. Holland, The Twenty-Fourth Annual Church Educational System Religious Educators Conference, 8 August 2000 Brigham Young University
2 Timothy 3:1-7 • While studying one day, I read to that point and sat pondering about all the evidence that now confirms every element in that prophecy. There was a mood of very deep gloom and foreboding, a very ominous feeling of frustration, almost futility. I glanced down the page, and one word stood out, not accidentally I think.
I read it eagerly and then discovered that the apostle who had prophesied all of that trouble had included in the same discourse the immunization against all of it (see 2 Timothy 3:13-17)… • …The word that stood out on the page -
Parley P. Pratt • “I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. I just wanted to read the book.”
Video • Is your experience with the scriptures like Parley P. Pratt’s or is it like this young man’s experience.
FrustrationsBasic PrinciplesTechniques My soul delighteth in the scriptures 2 Ne 4:15
Building and budgets, and reports and programs and procedures are very important. But, by themselves, they do not carry that essential spiritual nourishment and will not accomplish what the Lord has given us to do…The right things, those with true spiritual nourishment, are centered in the scriptures. • -Boyd K. Packer, Meeting with Stake Presidents and Regional Representatives, 2 Apr 1982, p1-2
Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow. • - Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986,79
What to study? • Scriptures • A book of scripture • Topic • Teachings of latter-day prophets • Teachers – lesson manual • The RS course material • Gospel Doctrine class
I don’t know much about the gospel other than what I’ve learned from the standard works. When I drink from a spring I like to get the water where it comes out of the ground, not down the stream after the cattle have waded in it…I appreciate other people’s interpretation, but when it comes to the gospel we ought to be acquainted with what the Lord says and we ought to read it. • -Marion G. Romney, CES convention, 13 Apr. 1973,4
When to study? • Morning • Night • Driving? • Anytime! • Set a time
When to study? • Many find that the best time to study is in the morning after a night’s rest has cleared the mind of the many cares that interrupt thought. Others prefer to study in the quiet hours after the work and worries of the day are over and brushed aside, thus ending the day with a peace and tranquility that comes by communion with the scriptures.
When to study? • 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. • -Howard W. Hunter, Ensign Nov 2979, 64
Basic Components ofScripture Study • The scriptures are our fundamental source for study
Pray for understanding and learn to listen to the Lord’s answers
It is necessary to search the scriptures diligently to understand them
Pondering and meditation are essential ingredients of fruitful scripture study
Questions to ask yourself as you study and ponder the scriptures: • Ask about setting • Investigate the meanings of words and phrases • Learn to discern the speaker's attitude • Look for scriptural comparisons • Discern implied messages • Understand scriptural organization • Be sensitive to repetition of ideas, words, and sounds • Read aloud to reveal emphasis
Ask about the setting • 2 Samuel 11-12 • What lead to David’s downfall? • 2 Sam 11:1 “And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time (of the year) when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”
Investigate the meanings of words and phrases • D&C 121:43 “betimes” • Webster’s 1828 dictionary • Betimes – seasonably, in good sesaon or time, before it is late • Therefore what…? • XProverbs 13:24 He that loveth him (his son) chasteneth him betimes
Watch for definitions • Watch for definitions • Sometimes the Lord and His prophets s use words or phrases in different ways. When a unique definition for a word or phrase is used, it s as though and = sign had been inserted into the test.
Watch for definitions • D&C 10:55 “Therefore, whosoever belongeth to my church need not fear, for such shall inherit the kingdom of heaven” • D&C 10:67 “Whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.” • Church = those who have repented and come to God
Watch for definitions • D&C 97:21 Zion = Pure in heart • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart (Zion): for they shall see God
Learn to discern the speaker's attitude • John 18:38 What is Pilates’ attitude toward Christ and the truth when he says to Jesus, “What is truth?”
Look for scriptural comparisons • Galatians 5:19-26 • Galatians 6 - Law of the Harvest
Works of the Flesh Fruits of the Spirit
Put off the Old Man, Put on the New Man • Colossians 3:5-9; 10-17
Look for patterns/lists • The way to judge • Moroni 7:16-17 • For behold, the spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent froth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye many know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. • But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
Look for patterns/lists • D&C 42:12-14 The Lord’s law of teaching
Read aloud to reveal emphasis • D&C 88:118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom • And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom
Substitute your own name • Peace I leave with you, ________, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, __________, neither let it be afraid.John 14:27
Substitute your own name • Behold, ________, could ye suppose that ye could sit…and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, ___________, If ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain. • Alma 60:11
Stress the modifiers and connecting words • D&C 121:39 • We have learned by…experience that it is the nature and disposition of men, as soon as they get authority, they will exercise dominion. • We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all man, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Count the # of fs in this statement: • Finished files are the result of years of scientific study and plenty of frugal planning. • And, but, again, therefore, now, behold, verily, because, if, then, inasmuch, thus, even, so
Watch for connecting words • Isaiah 58:13-14 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day: and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: • Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Substitute antecedents and synonyms • An antecedent is the word a pronoun refers to • John hit the ball, and it went over the fence. • Mormon 7:8-9
