Looking at the principles of provident living as a whole, it goes beyond physical preparation for an emergency, into making us ready in every way for hard times. Not only are there financial savings and food storage in the event of a job loss, but there is also an adaptability to help in finding a new job. We maintain physical health so we can survive physical hardships and emotional health for emotional hardships. This is why one key component of Education and Literacy is Spirituality and Learning. As we study the scriptures, we become better able to discern the influences around us, wiser in choosing our response, and build up a reserve of spiritual power.
Unfortunately, our early efforts at scripture study may not initially seem rewarding. The scriptural language may be difficult, some events may not seem easily relatable, and we can easily read many passages and come away with no thought more profound than “huh?”.
It is important to remember that many of the benefits come with persistence. There was a memory study done using pieces on a chessboard, testing players at the novice, intermediate, and master level. When the pieces were randomly arranged, all subjects remembered the board configuration at about the same level of accuracy. However, when games were started and stopped in the middle, the masters had a much better ability to recreate the location of the pieces. Their familiarity with the game allowed them to see patterns and connections, and as that meaning gave them better understanding, it fit more easily into their mind.
The same thing happens with scripture study. On your first time through the Book of Mormon, you will pick up some things. On your second time through, you may be able to recognize some patterns, or gain more meaning from some sections because you remember what is coming afterwards and now you can see how it gets there. This will just keep growing as you get through your twentieth time, and your fiftieth time, and also as you read the other standard works. Your understanding and familiarity grows, and so not only do you get more out of your personal study, but things can also be brought to mind when they apply to your life.
This is a lifelong process, and while there will still be much to treasure during the early times, there will probably also be periods of tedium, confusion, and stagnation. Here are a few tips that may be useful as you build up your scriptural knowledge:
Bringing in the Spirit
Studying the scriptures themselves can bring the Spirit, but if you feel you need extra help, it may be wise to start your sessions with prayer, and make that request. You may also find it helpful to start with music. Not only can listening to a hymn soften your heart and open your mind, but we also have a handy reference guide starting on page 410 of they hymnal. Perhaps you are just starting the Doctrine and Covenants. For Section 1 you might want to look up numbers 22 and 271. There is not a recommendation for every section and chapter, but there is still a lot to work with.
Getting additional help
There are study aids everywhere. In addition to Institute classes and manuals, there are books and Ensign articles that can increase your context. For example, if you are starting the Old Testament, the 1990 Ensign has articles on where the books fit in, the Abrahamic covenant, the Exodus, Deuteronomy, Saul, Ezekiel, and many others. You should never let the commentaries replace the scriptures, but they can enhance your study. All of these articles are easily accessible online, along with the Sunday School manuals, at www.lds.org.
Speaking of the Sunday School manuals, keeping up with the lessons will take you through all the scriptures every four years, and allow for better class participation, which will make the teachers very happy. In addition, listen to other people’s talks and comments. I had read over 1 Nephi 21:16 many times, but it never jumped out at me until an elder in my MTC class used it during Book of Mormon sharing.
Applying them more to your life
You may wish to consider following scripture study with journal writing. As you focus your thoughts you may be surprised at where they lead you. Also, you can pray specifically for this insight.
Freeing your mind of context
While understanding historical context and the meaning other people have derived can really help, it can also help to forget those things. There was a lot of dualism used in prophetic writings, where a passage could refer to either the first or second overthrow of Jerusalem or the Second Coming. In addition, words are often translated differently. In Isaiah 52:15, the word we have as sprinkle in the King James Version in other languages ends up as purify, scatter, startle, be astonished, and recoil, and any of them can be true. If the Spirit tells you one meaning, and it is different from what it meant to the ancient Israelites, or different from what it meant to you three years ago, that’s great. Inspiration makes the scriptures live no matter how ancient their origin.
Breaking the monotony
If you have read through a few times, and you feel stagnant, look for a new approach. You could…
· Go through in chronological order, either with just one book or all four.
· Go through searching for a specific topic, like prophecies already fulfilled and not yet fulfilled, spiritual gifts, or symbols of the Savior.
· Research various issues that apply to you using the Topical Guide.
· Break up harder sections. While one psalm is beautiful, I find that many in a row begin to cloy, so I spread out my reading of them over the rest of the Old Testament, and did something similar with the Pauline Epistles.
A full knowledge of the scriptures requires patience and persistence, but there will be constant rewards along the way. As you grow in understanding of the Gospel, with increased faith and a sure knowledge of the Atonement and all that implies, you will have peace in your heart, even during temporary storms.
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