Studying the Book of Mormon by Topic’s

Studying the Book of Mormon by topic is my favorite way to study scriptures!! I created a video that goes over this blog in greater detail. Check it out here:

Link To video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pheMzack5ao&feature=youtu.be 

First things first, you need to come up with a topic to study. Pick a topic from questions or topics you would like to learn more about.

I wanted to share my topics to give you some Idea’s. I haven’t studied the last three yet but they are next in line. I already had them engraved; I just need to study them now:

-Confidence Wax Strong
-Family and Parenting
-90 Day Challenge
-Little Packets of Light
-The Lord's Communication
-Atonement #1
-Atonement #2
-All God's Plans Work
-Patterns of Learning
-Shae's Baptism Challenge
-BoM for Dummies
-And Thus We See...
-Lessons on Being Delightful
-How To...

-Be Not Deceived

-The Savior's Love
-Power of 2 or More Witnesses
-Christ's Doctrine

Once I have the Topic I then write the date I start studying and my testimony of the topic in the front. Then in the back after I have read it cover to cover I again write my testimony to see the growth and things I have learned.

After that I add quotes and pictures that connect to the theme. I make notes and insert talks that go with the topic.

Scriptures.byu.edu is the best website to look up conference talks for each verse of scripture. It’s one of my favorite study tools. Then start reading through thinking of your theme and the parallels that are in the verses.

I hope this all makes sense Happy Reading!!

Tips on How to Study General Conference

Happy New Year!! 2018 is going to be a great year and I am hoping to post a lot more on the blog. Today we will be talking about how to study general conference talks. My process is always evolving and changing as I find effective ways to learn and remember. Starting in 2009 I started to study general conference talks seriously on my mission. My favorite thing about studying conference talks is that they unfold the scriptures in a personal and detailed way for me. I love love love love general conference. I love hearing from messages that are inspired and have constantly blessed me.

Every six months the process starts. Once I get my Ensign I go to Staples and get my magazine bound and laminated Usually it costs around $5. Ilike to have them bound so that they don’t fall apart and I am able to store them easier.

Ensign Bound and Laminated

Next, I put my questions in the Ensign. These questions that are doctrinally based or things I have been wondering about. As I read each talk I am reminded what answers I am searching for. Recently I started typing my questions instead of writing them in front so I can read and check the whole time I am studying.

These are the questions that are taped to the back cover, I flip it up and can look at them the entire time I study.

I usually write my questions in my journal at the beginning of conference and that way, I have two time of trying to search for the answers I am seeking.

While reading the talk I look for a few things. First I look for answers to my questions. Second I look for scriptures that are linked with quotes from the speaker.

When I read the talk and I find a power explanation of doctrine often they have scriptures in the footnotes that are related. I then go into the scriptures and add the quote in the scriptures on a posted note. I also try to add it digitally to mylds account, but I am an old fashioned girl and love paper and pens.

Records and recording what your learning is an important commandment and the more we show the Lord that we will prize what He is teaching us, the more we will learn. After I read a talk I will write in the extra space and summarize what I learned. Often I need more space so I will then go to my journal and will reference the journal number and page that the extra info is on.

Summary of talk and reference to Journal

During General Conference I keep notes in my journal, I use washi tape to organize the different sessions. Often I add the notes I had from my journal into my ensign. Comparing what I wrote down during conference and then when I am studying the talk really is different and I learn so much each time I study a general conference address.

I hope that you can take something away and start using it in your general conference study. I would love to hear any tips or tricks you use while studying.

Understanding the Sacrament Art Journal Entry

As I was looking through the July 2017 Ensign an article about the Sacrament stuck out to me. Reading through the paragraphs I was able to make connections that I haven’t realized in the past about the sacrament and the Savior. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “ The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church.’’ Reading through this short article taught me a lot about how I am able to make the sacrament more personal and relatable to me. I have a journal that is labeled as my Art Journal.

This is a sketch book from Michaels

My art journal is full of art that I like, and then I write and add personal touches to whatever I am studying. Below is the entry I made today after studying the Sacrament.

This is another example of an entry I have in the art journal. I love this journal because it enables me to create. When I take the time to really think about and sketch out what I am learning it seems to stick better.

October 2008 “Sacrament Meeting and Sacrament” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks is the talk that I read and shared the quoted above from. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/sacrament-meeting-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng

Be Not Deceived Jacob 5-6 Study

Choo choooooooo, Here comes the truth train. . . . I have been feeling under the weather and have been slacking on my reading. I still don’t feel great, but I have decided that I have got to get back to my Book of Mormon study. Right now I am reading with the theme of “Be Not Deceived”. 

As I started my study back in April, my sister-in-law also wanted to study under this theme. We have been checking in and sharing what we have been learning. It’s always nice to have someone to be accountable to. This morning I text Brit and said, “I am a slacker, I have got to get back on track”. After I text her, I set my timer and dove into the Book of Mormon, Jacob 5, which is the allegory of the olive tree (awesome awesome chapter), sadly  wasn’t speaking to me. Do you ever feel like that when your reading the scriptures? You want to feel inspired and it’s just not coming?  I wasn’t getting a lot out it, so I kept on going and got to Jacob 6. As I was reading that sweet Spirit settled on my heart and began to teach me. 

The writing on the paper says,"

·         Be Not Deceived BOM

July 10, 2017

I found this quote from Neal A. Maxwell from his talk " Repentance" inthe anguishing process of repentance, we may sometimes feel God has deserted us. The reality is that our behavior has isolated us from Him. Thus, while we are turning away from evil but have not yet turned fully to God, we are especially vulnerable. Yet we must not give up, but, instead, reach out to God’s awaiting arm of mercy, which is outstretched “all the day long.”  Unlike us, God has no restrictive office hours. No part of walking by faith is more difficult than walking the road of repentance. However, with “faith unto repentance,” we can push roadblocks out of the way, moving forward to beg God for mercy. Alma 34:16 True contrition brings full capitulation. One simply surrenders, caring only about what God thinks, not what “they” think, while meekly offering, “O God, … make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee.” Giving away all our sins is the only way we can come to know God.

I think that’s why Satan would love us not to read the Book the Mormon, and not to pray because the scriptures give us so much hope and a feeling of love from our Heavenly Father. As I was talking to Britt today she said that she is feeling such a difference when she is reading! I thought ooo my heck!!! That’s what President Hinckley taught when he said.... "Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. “That is my favorite thing about studying is that you really can feel the spirit, you feel a physical difference!!!

Verse 2, 4&5 jumped out to me! This message was coming: Heavenly Father is aware of us, and sending His Son soon to redeem us came through in verse 2. Then on to verse 4 “how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel”. Verse 5 hit me hard, about the power of repentance. I am so imperfect and it makes me so happy to know that all of us have the opportunity to use the atonement and be redirected back to our Heavenly Father. Reading the Book of Mormon under the theme “Be Not Deceived” has made me realize that Satan doesn’t want us to know or remember this, he wants us to feel hopeless, to feel like you have gone to far. Please never ever believe that! You have the most powerful, loving, and all knowing man on your side, He gave his Son so that you could return to him!! Your valued and loved, and when we read the Book of Mormon we can feel that love through the Holy Ghost. About half through my study I get the sweetest text I just have to share (with permission).

Screen shot of the convo

That is the promise of the Book of Mormon, when you read you will feel the spirit!! Don’t miss out!! Anyone can read and learn from this Book!! IT has changed my life and know it will change yours!!