Unit 1: Day 4

Studying the Scriptures

Introduction

This lesson will help you learn how to better understand the scriptures, identify gospel doctrines and principles they contain, and apply those truths in your life. As you do so, the scriptures will become a greater source of guidance and revelation in your life.

Studying the Scriptures in Seminary

Have you ever helped someone look for something that was lost? Before you began looking did you have a description of what you were looking for? If you didn’t really know what you were searching for, how successful was your search, or how successful do you think your search would have been?

In a similar way, your scripture study can be more meaningful when you know what to look for as you study.

1. In your scripture study journal, write down what you hope to gain when you study your scriptures.

President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency taught about one reason the scriptures have been written that can help you know what to look for as you study the scriptures: “One cannot honestly study the scriptures without learning principles because the scriptures have been written to preserve principles for our benefit” (“The Message of the Old Testament” [address to CES religious educators, Aug. 17, 1979], 3, si.lds.org).

According to President Romney, why have the scriptures been written?

What we are looking for as we study the scriptures, therefore, should be more than just details about the events and people in the scriptures. We should be striving to find the gospel truths that the ancient prophets preserved through the events, sermons, and revelations they recorded in scripture. These truths are called doctrines and principles.

Doctrines are fundamental, unchanging truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, such as Heavenly Father has a body of flesh and bones. Principles are enduring truths or rules we can use to guide us in making decisions and applying the doctrines in our lives. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described how gospel principles can benefit us: “Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances” (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86).

According to Elder Scott, what does a principle do for us?

One example of a principle taught in the scriptures is found in Joseph Smith’s First Vision. From Joseph’s experience, we can learn that God hears and answers prayers.

2. Write in your scripture study journal a doctrine or principle you have learned by studying the scriptures.

Understanding the Context and Content of the Scriptures

Picture a piece of fruit that has a peel or outer shell, such as a banana or orange.

Which part of the fruit is the most useful? What must you do before you can eat the fruit?

If the most important or useful part of the fruit is on the inside, what is the purpose of the outer covering?

The fruit within the peel, which we use for strength and nourishment, can be compared to the doctrines and principles found in the scriptures. The peel that surrounds the fruit can be compared to the events and people of the scriptures. Much like the outer covering preserves and helps transport the inner fruit, these scriptural accounts hold and carry gospel doctrines and principles to us in a way that helps us understand, remember, and apply them in our lives.

If you have a piece of fruit available, peel it so you can see the fruit within (or simply think about the different ways you would get to the fruit of a banana or orange). The work needed to remove the outer covering and expose the inner fruit is similar to what we must do to open up or uncover a passage of scripture. To peel open the scriptures and expose the fruit inside, we need to understand the historical setting of a revelation and also strive to understand the events, people, and meaning of words. As we do so, the doctrines and principles contained within the scriptural accounts become easier to see and understand.

The following are some basic methods and skills to help you better understand the scriptures as you study them. At the end of the lesson you will find additional scripture study skills and methods.

Historical setting: Each section of the Doctrine and Covenants includes a section introduction that often describes concerns, questions, or historical events that preceded the revelation in that section. Knowing these details can help you understand the revelation.

3. To see how knowing the historical setting can increase your understanding of a revelation, read the section introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 121 and verses 1–8. In your scripture study journal, describe how knowing that the Prophet Joseph Smith had been imprisoned in Liberty Jail for several months adds meaning to his prayer and the Lord’s answer in these verses.

Word definitions: Some words used in the scriptures may not be familiar. The Bible Dictionary, the Guide to the Scriptures, scripture footnotes, and a regular dictionary can help you understand what those words mean.

For example, read Doctrine and Covenants 121:1, 4. The word pavilion refers to a tent or protective structure. How does knowing this help you better understand the meaning of these verses?

Cross-references: One scripture passage can often help explain or clarify the meaning of a phrase or concept found in a different passage. For example, read Doctrine and Covenants 10:55. This verse seems to indicate that the only thing required to inherit the celestial kingdom is to be a member of the Church. Now read Doctrine and Covenants 10:67, and notice what it teaches about being a member of the Church.

4. In your scripture study journal, explain how Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 helps you understand the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 10:55 and 10:67. You may want to write D&C 10:67; 20:37 in the margin by Doctrine and Covenants 10:55 as cross-references.

Identifying Doctrines and Principles

As you increase your understanding of the background, words, people, and events in the scriptures, you are better prepared to identify the gospel truths contained within them.

Some gospel doctrines and principles are easy to identify because they are stated directly in the scriptures. Read Doctrine and Covenants 130:22, and mark doctrines and principles that are stated directly in this verse. Among the doctrines stated in this verse are the truths that the Father and the Son have bodies of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s and the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit.

Many doctrines and principles are not stated directly in the scripture text but are illustrated or described across several verses. To identify these doctrines and principles, we need to recognize the truths being illustrated in the scripture passage and then state those truths clearly and simply. This often requires time and careful thought.

Elder Richard G. Scott gave the following counsel: “As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. … It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle” (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” 86).

As you learn how to identify doctrines and principles that are not directly stated, you might ask questions such as: Why is this information recorded in the scriptures? What did the writer want readers to learn and understand? What can I learn from this that can help me in my life? What can I learn from this that can help me share gospel truths with others?

5. Practice identifying doctrines and principles by reviewing Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–8 and asking yourself some of the preceding questions. In your scripture study journal, write one or two truths you learn from the Prophet Joseph Smith’s prayer and the Lord’s answer to that prayer.

Applying Doctrines and Principles in Your Life

Think again about the fruit discussed earlier in this lesson. What value would the fruit have if it was never used once it was removed from its peel?

If we compare the fruit within the peel to the doctrines and principles we identify in the scriptures, what should we do with these truths once we find them?

The value of the work we do to remove the peel is the nourishment and strength we can receive from the inner fruit. In the same way, the value of scripture study comes as we take the doctrines and principles we identify and apply them in our lives. Many of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were given for individuals with questions or concerns, but we can also apply the counsel and teachings in our own lives. Although most of the sections are directed to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the messages, warnings, and exhortations are for the benefit of everyone.

6. Think of an example of a gospel truth that you have learned from the scriptures and how it blessed your life when you applied it. Record your experience in your scripture study journal.

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave the following promise to those who study the scriptures and apply the truths they contain: “If [you] are acquainted with the revelations, there is no question—personal or social or political or occupational—that need go unanswered. Therein is contained the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it” (“Teach the Scriptures” [address to CES religious educators, Oct. 14, 1977], 3–4, si.lds.org).

You may want to mark portions of his promise that are meaningful to you.

Consider setting a goal to help you apply one of the truths you have learned during your scripture study today.

7. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal:

   I have studied the “Studying the Scriptures” lesson and completed it on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher:

Additional Scripture Study Skills and Methods

Name substitution: To help you apply principles from the scriptures in your life, substitute your name for a name in the scriptures. Try this skill with Doctrine and Covenants 6:20.

Cause and effect: To help you identify gospel doctrines and principles in the scriptures, look for if–then and because–therefore relationships. Try this skill with Doctrine and Covenants 5:24.

Key words: Words and phrases like “behold,” “wherefore,” “because,” “therefore,” “nevertheless,” or “thus we see” are invitations to stop and look for specific messages. Read Doctrine and Covenants 58:26, and notice how key words can help you identify doctrines and principles.

Scripture lists: The scriptures often contain lists, such as lists of character attributes, instructions, or warnings. When you find lists, consider numbering each element. Try this skill with Doctrine and Covenants 4:5–6.

Contrasts: The scriptures often show contrasts in ideas, events, and people. These contrasts emphasize gospel principles. Look for contrasts in single verses, in chapters, and across chapters and books. Try this skill with Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25.

Visualization: Look for descriptive details that can help you create a mental picture of what you read. Imagine being present at certain events. This can help strengthen your testimony of the reality of what you read in the scriptures. Try this skill with Doctrine and Covenants 45:44–46.

Symbolism: Words and phrases such as “like,” “as,” or “likened unto” can help you identify symbols. Look beyond a symbol by exploring its nature and pondering its attributes. Footnotes, the Bible Dictionary, and the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures can help you interpret some symbols. Try this skill with Doctrine and Covenants 88:46, 51–61.

Pondering: Pondering includes thinking, meditating, asking questions, and evaluating what you know and what you have learned. Pondering often helps us understand what we need to do to apply gospel principles. President David O. McKay taught, “Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 32). Read Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–4 for an example of someone using this skill.