Scripture Journals

Once upon a time, I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Florida. Every morning, I had one hour to do personal studies in the scriptures. It was then that I fell in love with my scriptures for the first time, treasuring up truths, discovering new insights, and seeing the incredible worth of scriptures in my life.

That was awhile ago, 2002 to be exact. Since then, life has gotten busier, and more distractions to slowly push me away from daily scripture study. Challenging, but not impossible to continue reading, but I've been struggling with it for awhile.

Last week, I found gold on Youtube. I seriously have no desire to have live tv/cable when there is youtube. (Except for the Olympics. That would have been cool to see.) I love youtube almost more the Pinterest.

I was searching for David A. Bednar videos on scripture studying, my topic of research for this month.  I saw this video come up, clicked on it, and discovered that it was a gold find. This is Shannon from The Red Headed Hostess site.  I remember stumbling on her site in the past for some free church printables, but that's all I knew about her. I didn't know that she was a seminary teacher for 13 years, loves to learn, and was about to share some precious knowledge with me in this video.

This is a 40 minute video, so definitely bookmark it, add it to your youtube playlist, and watch later when you can have no distractions. I had to wait for my kids to go to bed to watch it the first time. (I've watched it about three times now. I like it, a lot:)

Some of the points she shares:

• Studying the scriptures can be hard for us because we haven't 'learned how to learn' yet. 
• As she reads scriptures, church talk, etc, she writes down what she learns and any insights in a journal, with the intent of giving one each to her kids to inherit. When she is no longer on the earth, she can still help her kids with her written words of testimony, encouragement, and love for them. That's what did it for me. I just love that idea, and have started journaling more when I study with the intent to share my testimony and thoughts with my precious kids. What better thing for them to have then your words written to them? 
• Anyone can do this. We all have time, and we don't need to worry about our handwriting to start a journal. 
• Don't do it for you; do it for your kids, thus blessing you and them.
• She gives some great scripture study tips here, that you can print off. Most helpful. 

Now, all I want to do is study and learn. Insanely cool, but hard because obviously, I need to stay balanced with homeschooling, family time, hubby time, everything! One sweet friend asked me when I have time to study. When Shaun is off work, that really helps. I sneak in about 30 minutes during the 1pm hour, when my younger ones take a little rest. When it's just me home, I help Ethan find something to do, possibly watch some PBS or play a game, just so I can read. 

Find a time in your day that would work, even if it's only 10 minutes. It's possible, but don't give up. Satan doesn't want you to read your scriptures, at all. He knows they will bring you peace, and will try to discourage you. Don't give up! Just make it a priority.

I have seen what has happened from our family and my personal scripture reading. I have had less inclination to yell at the kids. Huge blessing. I find that I have more patience. I love rediscovering gospel truths, digging into the New Testament more and everywhere else, and seeing scriptures that I don't ever remember reading more. It has been so great.

That's all for today, because I want to go study. I hope this helps someone:)