The Bible

I remember thinking the day I found my baby in his crib, dead from SIDS, "This can't be happening to me."

As I blurred through many motions, from calling 911 to letting in the paramedics to going to the hospital behind the ambulance, I continued to think, "This can't be happening to me."

When we walked through the doors of the emergency room at the hospital, I continued to hope against hope that my little baby son would revive. God is a God of miracles, after all - right?

I listened patiently while both the nurse and the hospital social worker explained the doctors were serving my son as best they could. I trusted there was going to be a happy ending to this story.

There wasn't.

Well, then again, it depends on whose perspective you trust. If I look to the Cornerstone of my faith, my perspective shifts into something much more glorious than my mortal mind can completely comprehend.

First of all, Jesus Christ came to redeem all of us - any and all who would hearken to Him and who would take His name upon us. In fact, even for those who do not believe in Him, even those individuals will receive a glorious gift of immortality.

THIS is the perspective that adjusts my vision of losing my 11-week-old son due to the awful vice of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is the understanding that all will be resurrected that sustains me. It is the knowledge I've been given through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, that families are meant to be together for eternity.

When one listens to the sweet (albeit quiet) voice of the Spirit of the Lord, one will feel a calming peace testifying to these truths. I know, because I've been there, having all of this perspective tested.

From the day before my son's death till several days after, the warmth of the spirit of God intensified within me until my body felt warmer than I could explain. Then for several days after my little guy's death, a consistent refrain continued to play itself over and over again in my mind: "This was not a mistake."

I knew that this voice or impression did NOT come from my own mind - for I personally felt very much that this was all a mistake. For after all, my whole response had been, "This cannot be happening to me."

But in answer to every time that feeling overwhelmed me, a soothing voice would come, teaching me a simple truth: "This was not a mistake."

In other words, God Himself was reaching down into my small-hearted ways and expanding my awareness that there was a larger purpose at work than I could understand.

This is why the cornerstone of my faith is based on Jesus Christ. He and His Father, even God Himself, have reached into my life and have helped me in even my most ripped-up, heart-torn moments.

As a Mormon, I am well aware that there are those who ridicule my faith. There are even those who believe Mormons are anything but Christian. I'm not sure why they believe this, but I witness with all my heart that I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Christ; He is my Savior in very literal ways. Without Him steadying me during the most difficult times in my life, I would not be still standing now.

A "cornerstone" is something upon which the entire building relies upon. That is Jesus Christ for me.

[For further reading about Cornerstones of Faith, this article, "The Cornerstones of Our Faith," is an excellent one. And it is given by our recently deceased, dearly beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley.]

Jesus Christ is coming to earth again. He really is. And what an amazing thought. Will I be ready? It could be so easy to put off preparing for His visit.

I think of it kind of like having a cousin come to my house unexpectedly. If I procrastinated getting ready, the visit could be awful. Crumbs on the kitchen floor, beds perhaps unmade, dirty laundry on the sofa. What a horrible experience. No, how much better to have planned wisely and be ready when my loved one makes their appearance.

This is how I think about Jesus Christ and His Second Coming. To be ready for that spectacular event could readily become a top priority in my life, and how wise to have it be so.

But how do I know when His coming is nigh? I know by being aware of the Signs of His Coming. How do I do that? I learn about the by studying about them in the scriptures.

One of the best ways is to read the scriptures, using study keywords like "Signs of His Coming" to find helpful aids for spiritual progression.

In this manner, I am brought to explanations such as this one:

"Events or experiences that God gives to people to show that something important in His work has happened or will soon happne. In the latter days, many signs for the second coming of the Savior have been prophesied. These signals allow faithful people to recognize God's plan, be warned, and prepare" ("GS Signs of the Times," LDS.org).

Some of the Signs that show His coming is nigh are listed here:

• The Lord shall gather Israel
• Men shall break the everlasting covenant
• Wars shall precede the Second Coming
• All nations will gather to battle Jerusalem
• Great calamities will occur prior to the Second Coming
• The gospel shall be restored

(To see the full list, visit "Signs of the Times".)

No-one knows when Christ will come again. The scriptures tell us that it will be as a thief in the night (see 2 Pet 3:10). But we are also told that those who prepare for His coming need not fear. Instead, we are taught to lift up our voices and declare the glad news of the gospel.

So that is what we do as consistently as possible. Rather than spiritual "crumbs" on our kitchen floors and the spiritual equivalent of "dirty laundry" in our lives, we are seeking to be ready. And with the help of the scriptures and the modern day prophets, we will do so!

Jesus Christ has many names. I love pondering on them. They each carry depth and resonance for me. Try it for yourself. As you read each of the following titles used to reference Him, feel the descriptive nature of each term's significance.

For example, He has been called Bread of Life. How profound. We die without food. Thus how appropriate to signal the spiritual need our souls have for Jesus Christ and what He has brought us.

Cornerstone. A cornerstone is an integral piece of stone to a building. Its purpose is to unite walls at their intersection. A cornerstone is the most basic, yet essential piece of construction. How symbolic of what Christ could be like in our lives, acting as a cornerstone to all that the Father offers us, acting as our foundation.

Advocate. An advocate in a court of law is someone who pleads your case before the judge. The comparison here is quite clear - Christ is our advocate with the Father. Because of Him, our sins can be forgiven. Because of His grace so fully extended to us, we can return to heaven.

Exemplar. Christ is our perfect example in all things. Even while nailed to a cross, thirsting and bleeding, He forgave those in front of Him who had nailed Him there. How much I easier it should be for me to forgive others with His mighty example in living in such pure ways.

Good Shepherd. What are your thoughts on this one? For me, I think of the shepherds throughout the world who are constantly on guard, watching over their sheep. When a sheep gets stuck in a ravine or attacked by a wild animal, the shepherd risks himself to save the sheep. How like Christ in what He is willing to do for us.

Light of the World. It is literally the light of Christ which illuminates this world, as much as those who deny Him would resist such truths. As quoted from the Church's website, LDS.org:

"The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. The Light of Christ influences people for good and prepares them to receive the Holy Ghost. One manifestation of the Light of Christ is what we call a conscience" (LDS.org).

There are many more titles or names attributed to the Redeemer of us all. Names such as Judge, King, Lord, Messenger of the Covenant, and so forth (to read of many of them, visit the Topical Guide). All of them are express and potent in painting a fuller understanding for us who the Mighty Christ is.

Look at this urgent quote:

"...reading and knowing the scriptures is not sufficient. It is important that we keep the commandments - be doers of the word and not hearers only. The great promise that the Lord has given us should be sufficient incentive for us to acknowledge him and do his will:

"'And all saints who remember to keep and do these saying, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

"'And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

"'And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

"'And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the childrenof Israel, and not slay them' (D&C 89:18-21).

"May this glorious promise be fulfilled in our behalf as we search the scriptures and find the way to eternal life" (N. Eldon Tanner, "Right Answers: First Presidency Message," Ensign, Oct 1973, 6).

I would include the rest of President Tanner's talk, but it is not available online. But truly, even this quote - though short - is quite powerful. (President Tanner served previously in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church.)

Regardless of what book of scripture you might be reading right now, how important it is to keep close what is read, in other words to actually DO what we're reading.

I wonder how much the Lord sits in His heavens watching His children on this earth - watching as we read His holy word. How happy He must be at that.

But what then? Do we read and then go off and still do our own "thing"? Do we cast off blindly, obliviously, the wisdom He has given to His servants the prophets? Do we ignore their scriptural words of caution and insist on doing things our own way?

Oh, how frightening if we do!

Oh, how important to be not just hearers (or readers) of the word, but doers also.

Can you imagine how much joy you bring the Lord by applying His teachings in your life? Regardless of what those around you do, you still remain true and steadfast to His teachings given through His prophets, whether ancient or modern?

This is how I desire to be too. I want to bring my Lord bright pieces of comfort and happiness. Even though so much of the world around me gets blighted by sorrowful choices of so many, cruel and unkind people, isn't is comforting to know that there are those who seek to bring God joy by living in kind ways?

Thus, let us be the kinds of "saints" mentioned above, those who "remember to keep and do [the Lord's] sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments." In fact, let us exert ourselves so that when we meet our Maker we will find indeed we brought Him comfort, even in spite of what was going on around us!

And just think, by being "doers" of the word of Christ, we might actually influence more to join us!

Are you a list maker? I know I am - or at least, I have been that way in the past. I'd make lists for grocery shopping outings; I'd make lists of tasks to do; I'd make lists of things I'd like to accomplish at some point in my life.

Imagine my surprise to notice that there are also lists in the scriptures. Perhaps this should not have come as a surprise to me. And maybe it does not surprise you. But it surprised me!

For example, can you think of one list that is so well-known that most English speakers know of it? Yes. You guessed right! The Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments were given as a list to Moses from the Lord. Moses' assignment from God was then to relay those Ten Commandments to the children of Israel (the children of Israel were descendents of Jacob who was the grandson of Abraham in the Bible. Jacob's name was changed at one point to Israel - which is why then his descendents were eventually called the children of Israel. Cool, huh!).

Well, flash forward a number of years (actually a lot of years) and we now have the children of Israel who have fled miraculously from Pharaoh's presence (think parting-of-the-Red-Sea and all that). The Israelites are wandering in the wilderness - eventually to wander for 40 years in a fairly small territory! As a side note, did you know that they could have entered their "promised land" after only one year in the wilderness, but due to very poor choices on their part, they had to wander for essentially 39 more years!

During this time of wandering, the Lord gave a list of commandments. It was these commandments that most people now call The Ten Commandments.

These commandments were straightforward and fairly easy to remember. "No other Gods but God Himself." "Keep the Sabbath Day holy." "Do not take the name of the Lord in vain." And so forth.

But it came in the form of a list! Isn't that cool?

The Beatitudes are also given essentially in the form of a list. These, too, are fairly familiar to most people:

Blessed are the poor in spirit...
Blessed are they that mourn...
Blessed are the meek...
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness...
Blessed are the merciful...
Blessed are the pure in heart...
Blessed are the peacemakers...
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake...
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you...
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven
(Matthew 5:2-12)

Why do I bring all this up? Because when you begin noticing "lists" in the scriptures, your mind can take in the information a little bit easier. Because, after all, sometimes scripture language can seem a little flowery or formal. So by noticing lists in the scriptures, the scriptures become that much easier and more enjoyable to read.

Why not try looking for lists in the scriptures today?!

We've talked in the past about a variety of scripture study techniques that will help you get the most out of your scripture study.

If you're anything like me, you love your scriptures. I know I do. While there are days it is a challenge for me to read them, most days I do.

I can tell when it has been a good scripture study time, because I don't want to stop! In fact on those kinds of days, I'll elongate my time with the scriptures by ending with singing hymns. It helps me come down from the peaceful feeling the scriptures have brought - down back to the rigors of daily life.

Yep, the scriptures are awesome. And I'm always looking for additional ways to have them strengthen me and to come to life for me. Why study them if they are unclear or have no personal meaning.

Well, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon church) publishes scripture study tools to help individuals study from the living word of God contained in the scriptures.

I've talked about these wonderful resources. In fact, it's difficult to know how to stop talking about them sometimes ... simply because the resources are such powerful ones. And what's even better ... they're freely available online!

One of the techniques taught in the manuals, to help the reader become better acquainted with the word of God contained in the scriptures, is to "Look for Patterns."

Have you ever tried this? To look for patterns in the scriptures? For example, start watching for the coupled set of words IF and THEN. Here is an example of that set of words - found in Doctrine and Covenants 5. Read through that chapter, looking for the IF and THEN usage. What do you learn from that word pattern?

Another thing to notice, as taught by one of the manual resources published by the Mormon church, is repetitive words. As the manual suggests, look at the similar message given from the Lord to several members of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Do you think you could discover what really mattered to the Lord by noticing these patterns? They're found in the first five verses in these Doctrine and Covenants chapters: 11; 12; and 14.

Yes, indeed, noticing patterns is a great way to bring clarity to any important message from the Lord in the scriptures. Why not visit the scriptures online and try this new technique out?

As Mormons (or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), we value the word of God. The scriptures have great meaning for us. As stated in one of our Articles of Faith:

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of god (Article of Faith 1:9).

I love the scriptures. They contain the word of God and they change the direction of my day when I take time to read them. But I don't want to just read them; I want to study them deeply and have them impact my daily walk in life.

As a result, I'm always looking for various approaches to my scripture study that can make a difference in the depth of that study. I have much to learn and that's why I want to gain as much as possible from reading the word of God.

In past blogs I've shared some of the scripture study techniques I've learned that have made a difference in my own scripture study. These aren't necessarily, though, my own techniques. They're approaches I've learned through the years, while serving as a missionary or attending church and/or learning from others.

Many approaches I've shared here in these blogs have also been repeated as suggestions contained in the Mormon church's helpful resources for students in seminary.

The Mormon church has established seminary classes for high school students to help them round out their day by studying not just geography, history, math, etc. Seminary classes allow high school students to also study the word of God on a daily basis, drawing closer to Him as a result. What a great thing for kids, don't you think?

Those scripture study guides for the seminary students are available online! Isn't that amazing? And speaking of scripture study techniques, a great one taught within the pages of those manuals is to ask questions while you're studying the scriptures.

Just as a detective asks many questions to help him or her get to the heart of the mystery, we too as students of the scriptures can ask questions. Questions like "Why did the Lord include this teaching?" "Why did the prophet feel he needed to teach this, this way?" "What is similar in this story to my own life?"

Additional questions might be "What are the most important points I can take from this experience" and "Where does the prophet gain his strength in this situation?"

Thus, as we read (for example) in the Bible about Daniel in the lion's den, asking questions like the ones above (and more) can help us gain so much more from the scripture experience.

Yes, indeed, asking questions helps us to put ourselves more fully into the scripture stories, thereby making the lessons more potent and potentially life changing.

If you'd like to try it, feel free to visit the online scriptures today!

Get this quote!

When holy men of God write or speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words "shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation" (D&C 68:4).

What an amazing definition of scripture. And this is why we have so much of it. The Lord has called men to speak for Him to us both in ancient times and in modern times. You can study the words of the modern-day prophets by clicking here.

But the purpose of this blog today is to discuss the scriptures as traditionally known: printed books called the Bible, the Book of Mormon, etc.

Have you ever been stumped by a problem or issue in your life? Most of us have. Whether it's as small as where to go to school for college, or even if you should go BACK to school, or which job to take, etc., the Lord can help you in this decision. His wisdom, of course, exceeds ours in eternal ways; He can and will counsel us within that wisdom if we seek it. And the best way to find that wisdom is, believe it or not, in the pages of scripture. I'll explain more in a bit, but first this...

What if your issue is far more serious? What if you've discovered something that makes you feel very uncomfortable and you don't know what to do with the information? What then?

The answer is the same. You can find the voice of the Lord speaking to you from the pages of the scriptures. You just need to explore them! The word of God has been compared to a living thing, and in so many ways it is.

I cannot tell you how many times I've had a problem in my own life and by going to the scriptures, I've then had the solution come into my mind. Here is the process I usually go through (I say "usually" because in reality the Lord can work in so many amazing ways).

1. I ponder.
The first step of receiving inspiration from God has nearly always come because I've been pondering on the problem. It's been in my mind. It's concerned me. And by thinking about it, it of course is very present in my life.

2. I pray.
When I've stopped to pray, I'm that much nearer to a solution. By invoking the Lord's help through prayer, I'm inviting Him to participate in my discovery of the much needed solution. He won't solve it for me, but He most definitely at some point will show me how to solve it. (To do it for me - instead of me following through - so often would only weaken me.)

3. I turn to the scriptures.
So many times, the problems we face are already recorded in the scriptures - only the individuals have slightly different names. Perhaps the setting or scenario is different, but the heart-wrenching need for an answer is nearly always the same. When I take time to prepare myself before scripture study by pondering on my own problems, next praying to the Lord about them, scripture study takes on a vibrancy that is difficult to describe but very real all the same.

4. I serve.
Oftentimes the answers the Lord gives me are AFTER my prayer/scripture study time. It is while I'm helping another person that the Lord so often then reaches in to give me the answer I seek.

I'm not sure why this process works so well for me, but it does. Time and time again, it has worked for me.

So remember, 1) ponder, 2) pray, 3) study God's word, then 4) serve. In so doing, He will better be able to reach you in your own time of need. It's always worked for me. I just needed to be patient enough to wait out the process!

This link will take you to the scriptures to get you started (after you pray, of course!

Have you ever felt bored in life? I know I have. I could be sitting in a car waiting for a family member in a doctor's office. I could be in line at the grocery store. There could be a myriad of places where I feel bored.

Boredom isn't a great emotion. And there is an antidote for it. But first to understand the blessing of latter-day prophets.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as the Mormons), we believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. And in Amos 3:7 it says,

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

How exciting it is to know that the Lord desires to share His knowledge, His purposes, and His ways with His children. I know that many times my understanding falls short. I'd like not to disappoint Heavenly Father in any way.

That's why I find the words of the latter-day prophets so essential to my existence here on this earth. And look what our current prophet admonishes us to do. It's the perfect cure for boredom!

President Gordon B. Hinckley ~ “Drink deeply from this ever-springing well of wisdom and human experience. If you should stop now, you will only stunt your intellectual and spiritual growth. Keep everlastingly at it. Read. Read. Read. Read the word of God in sacred books of scripture. Read from the great literature of the ages. Read what is being said in our day and time and what will be said in the future.” (Brigham Young University Commencement, Apr. 27, 1995, 4–5)

I think one of the reasons for boredom in our day is that in many ways, it is so easy to LOSE our way while here on the earth. Perhaps that is the test indeed, from God's viewpoint, to see if we'll forget that we are His. And for some, indeed it would appear they've forgotten God. When lives become all about the greatest and newest "toys" for adults at Christmas time (think iPods, large screen TVs, etc., to the exclusion of serving at Christmas time), I think when the luster of the gifts wear off we experience that icky "b" word ... boredom.

Boredom often times is that feeling of useless times with nothing to do. But if we're hearkening to the Lord's prophet, for example President Hinckley's admonishment shared above, we then instead fill our lives with inspiring words of wisdom.

Guess where wisdom leads? To a life rich in service and joy. Yes indeed, there is an antidote for boredom - seeking the "ever-springing well of wisdom and human experience" that President Hinckley referred to.

I'm so grateful for a prophet's voice of reason amidst so many clamoring voices crying out to think only of self and the easy way through life. What a way to boredom!

If you would like to "drink deeply from this ever-springing well of wisdom," here is a link to online scriptures. Feel free to bookmark it and come back to it often. Enjoy!

One way to enhance your experience while you study the scriptures is to visualize what you are reading. For example, let's try it with the following scripture taken from the Book of Mormon!

Alma 5:16
"...can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?"

The more we visually bring to life what we read on the pages of scripture, the more it feels a part of us.

Here is another example taken from the Old Testament:

"...and the heart of the Pharaoh...was turned against the people,...

"And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them...

"And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them;... (Exodus 14:5-10)

Can you imagine this? Can you imagine hundreds of chariots with men dressed to the hilt in war garb, rocketing in your direction? What response most typically would come at a time like this? Well, here is what the children of Israel felt:

"...they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord." (Exodus 14:10)

Not only were the Israelites terribly frightened, they also complained against Moses.

Here is what Moses promises:

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day:

"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exo. 14:14)

At what point does a heart choose to turn from fear toward trust? And isn't this also what we face today in our lives? Thus, by envisioning what it must have been like for those Israelites to face the roaring chariots, and the natural fear that would accompany such a situation, I can better translate what Moses declared to them for me in my personal life.

Indeed, when I approach scripture study by envisioning what is happening, it helps me in my own life. By picturing those actual events in three-dimensional fashion, they not only become more real (because after all, they were real at one point), they also can then bring forth profound fruit. That fruit becomes fruit-in-insight. And that insight translates to increased courage on my part.

Yes, indeed, one way to enhance scripture study experience is to visualize what you read. Not only is it fun, but it can be very effective. Here is a link to online scriptures; why not give it a try!

For some, reading the scriptures might feel easy. Perhaps they have taken literature classes and are used to wading through new verbiage. Or maybe they have read the scriptures for years and years, and as a result they are quite familiar with scriptural languages.

But for others, reading the scriptures is new territory. They are not used to the words, the phrases, nor are they familiar with the people or customs within these ancient accounts. If this is you, don't worry. This blog and many of the blogs here at LDSBlogs.com will help you become familiar with the scriptures. Soon reading them will bring you great peace and joy.

I have to tell you that on any day that I'm feeling low or discouraged or especially sad, the scriptures pick me up. I first discovered a love for them during my high school years. I would find a private place and settle in to read the stories in both the Bible and in the Book of Mormon. Those stories of people who lived long ago instructed me in ways during my high school years that perhaps adults couldn't (remember, I was a teen!).

And one of the most effective scripture study techniques I learned back then was to insert my name in the scripture stories. (The teen study guide for the Doctrine & Covenants suggests this also in the "Studying the Scriptures" section.)

So for example, look at these verses in Doctrine and Covenants 30:1-2:

"1 Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.

2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded."

Now imagine how the verse transforms by simply inserting my name in it:

"1 Behold, I say unto you, Cindy, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.

2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded."

The verses comes so quickly to life! This technique can easily work for you too. Simply click here to study the scriptures. Remember to insert your name as you read. It may not always apply, but I dare say that by using this scripture study technique, the scriptures will come to life for you in new ways!

Have you ever thought about the power of a word? For some reason, I've always loved words. Even when I was a kid. Shhhh, I'll tell you a secret. OK, well, maybe not so secret since I'm posting it here on this blog ... but when I was a kid I used to read the dictionary.

No, seriously. I really did. I was fascinated by the power of words. And at one point when I was in junior high, my quiet goal was to read every word in the dictionary I owned.

I'm here to tell you that I didn't achieve that far-reaching goal. But I did gain a love of the printed word. And guess where that love has benefitted me the most? That's right - in my scripture study.

I can't tell you how many times while reading the scriptures that the Spirit of the Lord will prompt me with a quiet impression to look up the meaning of a word. It usually is a word I've just barely read.

Originally, when these subtle thoughts came to mind, I'd respond with, "But I already KNOW that meaning!" (Yes, ok, that's a bit prideful - I'll admit it - but at least I'm honest!)

But the Spirit of God can work with anyone if they're willing to hearken. And eventually I became more amenable and willing. And as I followed the subtle promptings of the Spirit of God, an entirely new and richer world of understanding opened to my mind.

For example, one time I was reading in the scriptures about the Lord desiring a peculiar people. Now, in today's vernacular it's not real "cool" to be peculiar. So at first blush, being peculiar didn't seem desirable. I mused on this and an impression came to my mind to look up the term in the dictionary. So I did.

That's when I learned the other definitions of the word "peculiar." To be peculiar means to be uncommon, unusual, and distinctive in character. It also means to belong exclusively to a particular person or thing.

I began to catch a much deeper understanding of why the Lord would have a peculiar people. He desires a people that belong to him and that are uncommon and distinctive in character. This is a good thing. I could now see much better and understand much better what the Lord's prophet was attempting to teach through his record in the scriptures!

All because I used the dictionary to help me in my scripture study! If you'd like to try it, simply click here to begin your study of the scriptures. Keep a dictionary at hand and as you come across any new terms, feel free to flip open the dictionary. You might be surprised how much richer your scripture study will be because of it.

As Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we value greatly the word of God found in the scriptures. But even we at times need to be reminded of powerful ways to get more from scripture study. One of the best way to read the scriptures is to read them the slow way - in other words, stopping to ponder on a phrase or word that has caught your attention.

Whereas in school a person might get in trouble for staring out the window deep in thought, in scripture study it is completely a different matter. The Lord wants you to take the time to ponder on what you've just read.

In fact, if we speed-read through the scriptures, we might miss many priceless pieces of information that could help us in our current struggles!

I know that when I've been reading the scriptures, there have been times when I've absolutely had to stop. I couldn't help it. That which I'd just read struck me with such force or insight that I couldn't go on. And then I find myself in that traditional pose which aggravates many school teachers ... my eyes fixed on some distant point while my mind is "chewing" on something new and important!

At times, I'm in that mode for several minutes. And I think it is because of the very reason mentioned in this precept, as found in Isaiah 55:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I think this is why I need to stop and ponder at times while reading my scriptures. My thoughts aren't yet on the level of the Lord's thoughts. Therefore, those things contained in the scriptures at times will be or seem very new to my mentality and perspectives. THAT is why it is so very important that I take my time while reading them, and when needed, actually stop and mentally "chew" on what I've read.

This approach isn't much different than when we eat our food. Talk to any nutritionist and they will tell you that the slower you chew your food, the better your body is able to digest its nutrients.

I'm learning as I go through the years that scripture study is very similar. There are many spiritual "nutrients" contained in the scriptures that will strengthen me, simply if I take the time to "chew" on them slowly, thereby letting their spiritual truths seep into my life in powerful ways.

Yes, indeed, having the courage to read slowly during scripture study - and even stop to ponder from time to time - can be a powerful way to strengthen a person spiritually for the day!

As Mormons, we believe that the Lord loves His children very much. As such, He desires to help us. That is why He has given us the scriptures.

The scriptures contain the teachings of His servants, the prophets. In the scriptures we also can read about two additional groups of people: those who hearken to the prophets and those who don't.

I so very much want to be in that first category, don't you? When I seek God's will in my life, I feel much greater peace even if things don't go the way I want them to.

But I can't know about the teachings of the Lord's prophets if I don't spend time in the scriptures. It's a rather obvious statement, but sometimes I forget this. But every time I come back to the scriptures, there I find peace. And I wonder to myself - why did I stray in the first place?

I'm grateful for the Lord's patience as I learn to be more steady. Every day I do try to spend time in my scriptures. Every time I do, the peace comes to me steady and sure - a witness of the power of the Lord's word.

But I don't just want to read the scriptures, I also want to understand what I read. A great tool for this is the chapter heading included with every scripture chapter.

For example, Isaiah 53 in the Old Testament could be confusing to many readers. But by reading the heading (in italics) at the beginning of the chapter, the verbiage of Isaiah becomes much clearer. We learn that Isaiah 53 is about the Messiah and His willingness to offer Himself to atone for transgressors. Visit this link to check it out for yourself.

Another example can be found in the Old Testament book of Hosea. In Hosea, chapter 12, we read about wind and lies and oil. It all could be pretty confusing. But by taking time to read the heading at the beginning of the chapter, things become much clearer and better focused. We then can see that the prophet Hosea is teaching us that God uses prophets to guide us, but that many refuse to listen.

Yes, indeed the scriptures can guide us to greater peace - if we will but read them. And chapter headings make the process of understanding a lot easier.

Would you like to try it? Click here to get started! You can choose to start reading in the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or even the Pearl of Great Price. They all contain the word of God and all will enrich your life. Enjoy!

Ever been stumped by something in life? Whether it is that a friend betrays you, or you lose your job, or it's just harder and harder to feel joy ... I think we've all been there!

That is precisely why I'm so grateful that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (casually know as the Mormons) publishes helpful scripture study aids, alongside the actual scriptures themselves. They all exist to aid you in drawing closer to your Father in Heaven and to help you understand your purpose in life. The scriptures can be a powerful tool for a happier life when actually read and studied!

As Mormons we love the scriptures, as so many do in the world. We value the scriptures for the peace they bring during challenging moments on earth. But not just peace for difficult times, but peace for joyous times also. What better way to worship our God than to read of His work, His love, His efforts on behalf of His children. Those things are contained within the pages of the scriptures and I love them.

As Mormons, we believe the Bible to be the word of God inasmuch as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. Additionally, we have a volume of scripture called The Doctrine and Covenants, alongside a smaller volume entitled the Pearl of Great Price.

We discuss all of these great books of scripture here at LDSBlogs.com and I invite you to explore many of the postings and links contained at the site. I think you'll begin to rejoice as you learn and see all that the Lord has done to bless His children through these great words of scriptural text. The scriptures all work hand in hand to testify to God's children of earth of His mighty works done in their behalf - all for the purpose of their redemption.

Mormons often call all four books, when used in conjunction with each other, the "Standard Works." So if I wanted to study the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I could find scriptures in all four standard works that testify of Him and His mighty gift of grace and salvation for us.

For example, in the Bible Dictionary (at the end of the Bible published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), under the entry "Atonement" we read:

"Atonement. The word describes the setting 'at one' of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God...."

The Bible Dictionary then refers me to scriptures about the Atonement. I could visit many, many scriptures, but I'll just share a verse from each of the standards works as samples that mention the Atonement:

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 15:22
Old Testament: Isaiah 53:4-9
Book of Mormon: Mosiah 13:28
Doctrine and Covenants: D&C 19:16-20

Do you see how beautifully all four volumes of scripture work together to give such an illustrious and deep understanding of God's work? The scriptures can be a powerful tool for life when actually read and studied! What an exciting adventure it is to do so. Not only does it help when the pains of life feel overwhelming, but scripture study brings even more peace to a soul who already is content.

I invite you to get started by visiting the online scriptures here. In fact, once you are at the scripture study site, at the top of the screen you can enter in one-word topics to narrow your study to your current interest. For example, if you'd like to learn more about "Joy", enter "joy" as your search topic. If you'd like to learn more about "Peace" or "Repentance", feel free to do the same.

May you have many happy hours studying the scriptures and learning of God's love for you!

Sometimes when we as new members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (casually known as the Mormons) study the scriptures, we come across something that confuses us or that we don't quite understand. This is perfectly normal. In fact, all of us experience this at one time or another. And one of the best tools of understanding we can use at this time is to simply ask questions.

What do I mean by this? Well, as the seminary student manual (for the Old Testament, for example) states,

Before you read it is helpful to ask yourself questions like "Who wrote these verses?" "To whom?" "Why is this teaching included in the scriptures?" "What do I want to know or learn as I read today?" and "What would the Lord want me to learn from these scriptures?" (Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, p. 5)

I have found that question-asking is quite a potent scripture study tool. Rather than simply gliding along the scripture page, empty-minded and glibly reading, instead when I am asking questions as I read, I find more vibrancy in what I read.

For example, in the Bible in Exodus 32 we read that the Lord is quite angry with the children of Israel. In fact, He is so angry with the Israelites that He declares to Moses (as recorded in Exodus 32):

"Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: ..."

This could appear puzzling on the surface. If God is a gracious God, why is He about to destroy those He'd just led in that miraculous exodus from Pharaoh (who was ready to destroy them himself)?

Thus, it is time for questions to help my understanding. If God is a merciful God (and there are many scriptures which point to this), then what could have brought Him to such ire He would destroy those whom He had led out of bondage in such miraculous ways?

Another question: What could Israel have done that was so repugnant to God that their destruction was preferable to their current activities? What is it about sin that at times it is better for the person to no longer live, rather than continue in destructive ways?

Or here is another question: Why could destruction of a wicked people actually be a merciful choice for and in behalf of them?

The questions that come might be different ones for different individuals. I urge you to read Exodus 32 so you can find out just what the Israelites did do that brought God's ire. But I promise you that as you spend time contemplating what you read in the scriptures, asking questions as you go, the Lord will lead you to truth and a deeper understanding of His ways.

I testify that the Lord indeed is a merciful God. I've seen His hand in patience and kindness in more times than I can count in my life. Thus, when I find a confusing passage of scripture, I know that it is my own lack of insight that confuses that issue - not any weakness on the part of God.

I invite you the next time you study your scriptures to use the tool of questions as you do so. Ask the questions and then seek the answers by researching deeper in the scriptures themselves and asking God Himself. You will find your answers and He will aid you in them. Here's the link to the scriptures to get started!

Why study the scriptures? Because studying the scriptures helps us to understand several important aspects of our lives:

• Where did we come from?
• Why are we here?
• What does God expect from me?
• What awaits me after this life?

I love the scriptures. They function for me as a best friend. Do you know the kind I speak of? A best friend will support you when you feel discouraged. A best friend will uplift and encourage. A best friend will even gently chasten you when you are wrong or hurting others with your choices. And especially, a best friend will help you become better than you were before.

Well, scriptures are this for me. They lift me when discouraged; they correct my erroneous paths. And they especially create within me a better person than I could be otherwise.

That is why scripture study can be such an important companion to daily life. And one of the best scripture study approaches we can use to get the most out of our scripture study is to understand the history/background of the verses on the printed page.

At the end of the Bible published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), there is a handy background research tool called the Bible Dictionary. When you click through to this link online you can look up many concepts found in the Bible.

For example, in Romans 11 the apostle Paul speaks in detail about olive trees and a grafting process. But wait! What on earth does this have to do with saving souls? After all, is not saving souls the purpose of the scriptures?

So after musing on this for a minute, you decide to look up "olive tree" in the Bible Dictionary. What you find helps to illuminate a bit why Paul used the concept of an olive tree. (To learn more about Paul's allegorical use of "olive trees", feel free to click on this link in the Bible Dictionary. And if you still have questions, you could visit some of the verses mentioned in the Bible Dictionary entry, "Olive Tree.")

Can you see how exciting this can be? In other words, the Bible Dictionary will give you summaries and explanations of important Biblical key figures, dates, culture, and events. It may not answer all of your questions, but it will be a powerful start.

Thus, when you read in the scriptures and if you come to something you don't understand, why not quickly flip open to the Bible Dictionary (or click here, if you're reading online) and look up the concept that puzzles or interests you. Chances are you'll find it in the Bible Dictionary and can learn a little more about the new term.

If the term you are looking for is not in the Bible Dictionary (can you imagine how huge the scripture volumes would be if every concept therein were printed in the Bible Dictionary?), there are other powerful tools you can use:

• Guide to the Scriptures
• Chronological Tables
• Harmony of the Gospels
• Topical Guide
• Index
• Joseph Smith Translation
• Bible Maps
• Church History Maps
• Photographs of Scriptural Sites
• Photographs of Church History Sites
• Chronology of Church History
• Abbreviations and Designations

We'll discuss more applications of these tools in future blogs. But aren't they are exciting resources for scripture study?

Yes, indeed, the scriptures can be a man's or a woman's best friend. So let's get started now! Simply click on one of these links above to begin exploring. What a friend you'll find in the Lord's word, the scriptures!

(Some people prefer to have scriptures in their hands, so they can mark favorite passages. If that is the case for you, then you are welcome to order them at wholesale prices here for the Bible and here for the rest of the tools. But for many people, using the free online scriptures works perfectly as a best friend to turn to daily!)

The scriptures are inspired tools for our growth toward God. Through them we can learn of His ways, His desires for us, and what He expects from us as His children. This all excites me to no end. And it is why I desire to show Him I value my scriptures by reading from them.

I have found that one of the most potent tools in scripture study is to begin that study with prayer. For indeed, if I want to understand what it is the Lord has placed before me in the scriptures, it would be important to approach those sacred words in the best frame of mind possible. That is achieved through prayer.

Ezra in the Old Testament is a perfect example of this. He was a priest who felt the duty to teach the Israelites God's laws. He eventually received permission to bring out of captivity certain exiles so that they might worship in the temple.

He was known for his willingness to serve, even with such unpleasantries as having the Jews divorce from their pagan spouses. He worked diligently to bring about much order for the Lord's people and is known for teaching that even daily life holds much eternal significance (see the Bible Dictionary for more insights into the ancient prophet Ezra).

But the thing I love the best about Ezra was his example of how he approached the Lord's laws. We can do the same as we approach the scriptures, which contain those laws and manifestation of God's love.

In Ezra 7:10, we read:

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statues and judgments."

This touches me, because it requires humility to ready oneself to "seek the law of the Lord." What if that law requires that we set aside certain indulgences? What if that law expects that we serve another without thought of self? What if ... ?

In every respect, if we are to truly benefit from our personal scripture study, we need to approach receiving the law of the Lord contained in those scriptures with the same humility that Ezra manifested. He prepared himself to do that very thing. And what is one of the most potent ways we can do the same? Through prayer just prior to scripture reading, and in fact, all through the day until we read again.

Prayer is more potent than many people realize. In fact, it is from the days of Adam and his sons that the instruction has come to pray to God (see Genesis 4:26). The Lord hears our prayers. In 2 Kings 19:20, we read:

"Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me ... I have heard."

Thus, when we ask for the Lord's help during scripture study, He will help us. When we ask for increased understanding of what we read, He will respond in kind. When we seek the Spirit's aid in application of what we've read, that help will be given.

Yes, indeed, how important to begin each scripture study time with prayer. We can call on Heavenly Father's name, thank Him for what He has given through the scriptures, and ask for understanding while we read them. We then close in the name of Jesus Christ, and with the word "amen" signify our sincerity. By so doing, we've increased the benefit of scripture study in our life!

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Isn't this exciting? That the Lord would give us such a tool for our growth and benefit! What a thing to rejoice in. Therefore, how essential to have good scripture study techniques to aid this process.

The purpose of the "Scripture" blog at LDSBlogs.com is to help you enjoy the many mighty benefits that studying your scriptures can bring. Therefore, how important it is to gain as many study tools as possible to rejoice in the process.

When the scripture teaches us that "all scripture ... is profitable," it is helpful to understand that the Lord is not necessarily speaking of monetary profits. As mankind, we tend to think on material goods, since so many of those are necessary for our lives (i.e. shelter, food, clothing).

But in these two verses, we are taught that the scriptures will profit us in other ways. They will be beneficial or useful in ways that strengthen us in our daily lives ... and thereby bring us home to God one day.

One aspect of sincere, consistent scripture study is to increase in knowledge of God's doctrine, as Paul states in 2 Tim. 3:16 above. With so many whims of opinions about God, it is nice to know that we can go to the source to learn who He is, what He cares about, and why He bothers with us! That source is scripture itself.

The word, "doctrine," essentially means the principles or laws of God. Are you as curious about those as I am? How much I desire to know them, for if I fail to understand God's laws during my lifetime, how can I fully live them and thereby fully please my Heavenly Father? Through Christ's grace, I am redeemed. But how I desire to study the Lord's ways and abide within them!

Thus, by studying my scriptures, the apostle Paul of Biblical times tells me in those two verses that scripture study will increase my understanding of God's laws and principles, or in other words His doctrine. Yes, I say, yes to this!

Paul also teaches that the scriptures are there to reprove us when we are off-track. I would rather experience rebuke now and correct my ways, then receive it at the judgment bar of Christ. I've experienced this reproof at times while studying my scriptures. They will fall open to a certain page and there in gleaming proof is the ability for the Lord to speak to me through His word. I seek to receive it with open heart, for I'd rather correct my choices now than wait till it is too late.

Paul also teaches us that the scriptures exist to instruct us. This I also rejoice in. Man's thoughts are always changing. The scientists will say one year a medicine is good for you; the next year they'll state it is not. But God's ways do not vary. We can see this throughout the centuries in the prophets' recordings of His ways. I find this so steadying in my life, to read the instructions the Lord sets out for us in His holy word.

All of this leads us to righteousness, as Paul states at the end of verse 16. He then elaborates on this righteousness, explaining that we will eventually be "furnished unto all good works."

So yes, I say, yes to all of this. And it is why scripture study techniques are so important to me. I am not perfect. Far from it. But I love the word of God as found in the scriptures. As I learn powerful scripture study techniques, I'll share them with you here!

One of my favorite techniques for studying the scriptures is using the tool known as the Topical Guide. It can be found placed directly after the Old and New Testaments in the King James version of the Bible, as published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Topical Guide includes a useful concordance that simply is an alphabetical index to many of the subjects and topics contained in the Bible. Now, of course, it might be impossible to list all subjects and all topics contained in the Bible itself. Thus, the Topical Guide will not contain everything imaginable as related to the Bible, but it does contain an amazing amount of information.

The Topical Guide is a useful tool to help you in your studies, whether in church or at home in private. Its use is particularly helpful because not only does it list a sampling of topical scriptures contained in the Bible, it also gives a brief summary of each referenced verse.

So for example, if I wanted to learn more about the topic, "Abide," I could turn to the Topical Guide. Looking alphabetically I would find the term, "Abide," listed on the first page of the Topical Guide. Looking on that page, I would find it as the second word in the second column (right after Abiathar - the individual who brought the ark back to Jerusalem).

Not only would I see a full assortment of scriptures to aid me in my study of the word "Abide," I would also find helpful synonyms listed in parentheses immediately after the topic of choice. For example, listed as adjunct study topics to "Abide" are subjects such as "Dwell; Inhabit; Lodge; Sojourn." These additional terms hold much potential to enrich and deepen your scriptural studies, for whichever topic you choose.

In this case, below the heading for the word "Abide" (and its additional suggested study terms) is a list of helpful Biblical verses that await your study regarding this topic. For example, "Psalm 15:1 Lord, who shall a. in thy tabernacle; . . ." is listed as is "Jeremiah 42:10 If ye will still a. in this land; . . .", amongst many others.

One recommendation I would make as you begin this very fun pastime and scriptural approach - keep a log of your studies! I can't tell you how many times I've found a very fruitful scriptural term, enjoyed the lengthy scriptural chain of ensuing scripture after scripture . . . only to wish later I'd recorded what useful information I'd found!

Yes, indeed, the Topical Guide to the Bible is an amazing tool and will open many refreshing study moments to your mind, your heart, and therefore your life.

How often do you keep a journal at your side while studying the scriptures? As Latter-day Saints (or Mormons, as so many call us), we love the scriptures. They are sacred to us. As such, we desire to read from them daily.

Perhaps it could be said that just as I can't remember what I ate for lunch nine days ago, scriptural food is as easily perishable. If I'm not recording the spiritual insights, revelations, and promptings I receive during my time each day the Lord's word, I won't later be able to benefit much thereby . . . nor will my children or posterity!

Have you ever thought about the potency of keeping a "scripture journal"? It is a most wonderful thing. The first time I attempted such a feat, I was in college.

As for many, college for me held ups and downs. I felt much comfort each day, therefore, as I read my scriptures. Eventually I found myself keeping two journals - one to record the daily events in my life (i.e. taking a test, going out on a date), in the other smaller journal I recorded the spiritual "happenings" of my life.

Each day while reading the scriptures, I would look for a verse or two that particularly jumped out at me, one that really stuck out in a way that taught me. At the top of the page of my spiritual journal (I called it my "small plates", after the ancient way of keeping records), I would record the verse(s) that had touched me.

After writing them at the top of the page, I then would write about those verses. I would share why they had touched me. Or I would muse on the significance of those verses to me - especially during such a meaningful time in my life. It was not lost on me that I was living during a potent era of my life. So many choices - what to study, where to work, who to marry. The thought of all the choices felt dizzying to me.

And so I would write every day after coming home from college classes - just me there at the kitchen table, with my scriptures laid out in front of me and my two journals.

Years later, I relish those thoughts. Some I chuckle at, some I smile at, and at some I simply nod. All of them were worthwhile thoughts on my part. All of them made a difference. And each page I wrote brought the scriptures deeper into my heart, making those verses become intertwined with who I was.

If you've not yet gotten a "scripture journal," do so today. It can be one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself this year.