Scripture Study Journal Example for the book of Mormon
(So let’s use that specific scenario to take a look at how an LDS study journal entry might look (using part of Jacob Chapter 1 and 2):
[start of example]
Jacob 1:19
And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.
Here is the goal of all the prophets. They know they are responsible for the stewardship of the people they are in front of. They know, just as parents, trusted with the raising of a child; they are trusted with the spiritual progress of the people. They know this requires much work from them. Crying repentance; baptizing; leading; judging and helping guide through the process of repentance; warning; communicating with God and teaching the people; instructing local leaders to ensure this architecture of the Lord’s is held to a high standard. This full-time work never stops. It is to their benefit to do it as they have a surer knowledge of the Father and the Son than do others; they must do it so they can feel comfortable with their contribution to the plan. When they are judged for their lifetimes and their responsibilities, they will desire to be held spotless.
It puts into perspective what each of the apostles and each prophet must go to sleep each night that is weighing down upon them. It gives perspective to me: such that, if I can only take care of myself and my family, perhaps they would not need to worry about the responsibility they have for me and can instead focus on helping others in more need, to progress. Maybe this is my contribution to the Prophets and apostles and local leaders. But even more than that it is my contribution for my own accountability for myself and my family.
—
Jacob 2:2-3
2 Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God.
3 And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; but I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been.
Jacob explains that he loves those he is speaking to.
Jacob makes it clear he is a prophet. That he has made a commitment to God to magnify his calling as a prophet, and will not remove the responsibility that comes with that position. He knows that as part of his agreement with God that he might be able to remove the sins from spotting his garments (though it is figurative, it is powerful). He gives them a precursor of what is to come by stating that he will be declaring the word of God.
Later, he reminds the congregation that he has been truthful and honest in his prophetic work. But Jacob also makes it clear that he know how far away from salvation these people are. He explains how heavy his heart is.
Jacob 2:5
5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God.
Jacob explains that through God he can tell that many of the people there have been getting more comfortable with sin and that sin is not what God wants, and by extension, not what Jacob wants.
Jacob 2:6-10
6 Yea, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker, that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts.
7 And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;
8 And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.
9 Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.
10 But, notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according to the strict commands of God, and tell you concerning your wickedness and abominations, in the presence of the pure in heart, and the broken heart, and under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty God.
This is one of the most beautiful passages of scripture I have ever read. I cannot believe I have never seen this and had it stick out to me. This is some impressive stuff. There are just layers and layers of beauty and peace and hope and warning in this. It is such an all encapsulating bit of scripture when it comes to the feelings one (a prophet or leader) can have about people they are stewards over.
It is a beautiful bit of scripture because of what it is implying, not what it is saying, though it is poetic and well said just on that facet alone.
Here is a prophet, racked with guilt and sorrow for these people who he clearly loves, dearly, yet he knows he is responsible for them. It’s like a parent who has a child doing things they know are wrong. Or the Father knowing that His son must do the difficult things he had to do in the Garden and on the cross. It is pure love and charity; mixed with perfect foresight and Divine commandment.
There are hundreds of inferences, scores of lessons, eternities of truth in these scriptures.
Jacob is so sad that he has to come before the Lord and the Father and tell them of the shortcomings of the people. These same people, who he is so hurt to have to chastise and rebuke, because some of them are of tender countenances. He is sad to tell these lovely women and children such harsh words, because of the poor choices of the others in the congregation. He knows they all struggle. Men, women and children. Of course he wants to fix them, sooth them, comfort their aching hearts steeped in their poor choices.
Instead, our God, knowing that these people will only make changes if they are dealt with directly and harshly, commands His servant to do such.
Such divine wisdom that God would know that the directness of His prophet’s words witnessed by the pure in heart in front of these wretched sinners would be the only remedy. He knows this can fix the hearts of these wicked men.
It shows the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior hard at work. It shows the Love and wisdom of God. It shows the power of the Spirit. It shows the dedication and focus of His prophet. I seriously love these words.
[end of example]
Why am I so interested in an LDS Study Journal?
The reason I’ve been using a scripture journal is as part of the [link] Pathways program by BYU-Idaho. I’m enrolled in the FDREL-121 class (Fundamentals of Religion), which is basically the study of the Book of Mormon from 1 Nephi to Alma 29. It’s a fantastic class. The resources available to students in the institute classes for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is unbelievable.
For example: even the Book of Mormon student manual is comprehensive and interesting, with a ton of information from thousands of sources. You use this as you navigate through the course (FDREL 121).
These types of resources are available to all of us for free. Member or non-member. There are similar resources available on lds.org that pertain specifically to the Bible as well. What’s important to understand is that, even though we may never agree on certain tenets of religion, we as latter day saints aren’t here to change what you believe, but rather to see if we can add to your ability to understand those beliefs.
“Add to”, you say? Yes, add to core fundamental beliefs, but not change them. I am a Christian, who believes in revelation as it is explained in the Biblical scripture Amos 3:7. We believe that we all have the opportunity to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ more fully through prayerful and faithful study of the Holy Scriptures and the words of the Lord’s prophets. Ultimately the more we have to learn from. The more there is for us to learn. We believe that this experience on this earth was ordained of God, for our learning, growth and understanding. His Holy words are our ultimate survival tool. We all can gain from continual study and re-visitation of the scriptures and our insights to them.
I used to be a bulk reading or bulk listening student of the scriptures. That is to say: I would listen over and over on my commute to the same passages of scripture. I would read 5-10 chapters of scripture over the course of a single 1 hour session every day. I was able to associate general principles with scripture, but not really able to cite scripture in a meaningful manner.
Now I read about 5-10 chapters a week along with a study journal and some legitimate exploration of the content at hand. I find that I gain important insight with much less overall exposure and I can connect general concepts to specific verses much more easily now.
I still use bulk reading and listening to supplement my overall scripture study, but it’s used much more effectively and generally it promotes the in-depth learning while using a scripture study journal much more effectively.
I’ve found so much more insight to the layers and depth of each verse of scripture. It’s not just about general concepts anymore. For me, using an lds study journal has helped me to recognize the individual messages contained within each chapter, and often within each segment of each chapter of scripture I am reading.
I have learned that when you are reading with intent, in the right frame of mind and with good guidance for which path to go down, you’re in a much better position to benefit from the timeless lessons that can only be taught through the Holy Scriptures.
Remember, for great results, you can use some form of the following concepts to guide your LDS study journal work.
8 steps to building an LDS scripture Journal
Read and write in your scripture study journal:
1. Prayerfully
2. Non-selectively
3. Specifically
4. With personality
5. At the right speed
6. And revisiting
7. Continually
8. Daily
I know the next part to this is so quintessentially “Mormon” of me, but I won’t let it make me feel bad for doing it: I’m going to bear my testimony.
I know that reading the scriptures can have one of the single biggest impacts on your life. It is not just about the book of Mormon. It’s about the word of God, the guidance of the prophets and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It matters not, if you believe in what I believe. What DOES matter is that you are seeking truth and that you are looking in places where it can be found. The Scriptures contain multitudes of information, guidance and special messages. You can enhance your ability to discern the messages meant for you, by structuring the way you read and reflecting on these sacred words. I know all of this because I have read and reflected and learned and gained and grown from daily scripture study. I know that a scripture study journal is important because I have been taught many things by the revisiting of the words I have recorded about my reading. I cannot deny the power of the words in Holy Scripture. The Father ordained this work such that we might someday benefit by the words written by the prophets. These words are there, waiting for us to use them. I invite you to gain a testimony of these things as I have, and countless millions of others before me, and millions after me.
THIS POST CONTINUES ONTO THE NEXT PAGE