How I Study Effectively

First things first: I study in many different ways! Everybody has there ways that effective for them. This is how I study the gospel. I'm not perfect. A lot of this post is my ideal, not an everyday reality.

Time of the day 

I have my best scripture study around 2-4 a.m. Sounds crazy, but I'm up during that time feeding my baby. It is so worth it for me to stay up for an extra ten minutes and read a few verses and ponder it for a minute. It is easier for me to be still and focus completely on what I am doing. I realize (maybe just hoping) that my baby is going to sleep through the night soon and won't need eat at 2:39 a.m.
When that day happens, I plan on waking up before her and doing my study then. I'm thinking this new time will float around 6 a.m.

Now don't get me wrong. There are just some early mornings that extra ten minutes isn't going to happen; being a mother is exhausting at times. If I don't have an early morning session, I will listen to a conference talk or even the scriptures as I am getting ready for the day. Some days I read early and listen later. Nap time/ bedtime gives me some leeway too, but I would rather do house work while my baby is sleeping.  Alex and I also do a gospel study with each other either before he goes to work or before we go to bed. we always have a better study if we do it at the beginning of the day.

What do I study?

I like to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish. But I don't read the Book of Mormon every day. Before I read, I take a moment to feel what I should read (aka listen to my heart). Sometimes I am guided to read about a topic, other times I feel like I should read a conference talk from October 2000. Typically when I study a topic, I stick with it for a little while. I have been wanting to get into the bible more too. I feel like I had a good understanding of it when I was a teenager, but I've lost the knowledge I gained. I want it back! I love that we have so many resources at our finger tips! Check out the Gospel Library app! It is amazing! 

How do I study?

I say a prayer. God knows what I need daily. He knows the thoughts of my mind and the feelings of my heart. He doesn't always tell me what to study, but when I pray for his spirit to be with me, I feel peace every time while I read even if I do not learn something new. 

I like to have a pen and pencil near so that I can write down thoughts that come to my mind and heart. When I was in seminary I took it one step further. I would write down what the scripture meant even if I did not have a personal insight or inspiration come with it. I really loved studying that way and I want to get back into it. I had a good understanding of the scriptures when I studied my scriptures as though I was going to have a test on it the next day. 

When I study by topic, I like to color code so I can see in my notes connections and patterns easily. I don't really mark my scriptures, but I underline my notes. I don't want my brand new scriptures to look like my black, white, and red seminary scriptures haha. However, if I feel it is important, then I might underline here and there. 

When I was in college, my time was as precious as platinum. I would actually set a timer and read for ten minutes then write what I learned for ten minutes. This worked well for me. 

I share what I read with Alex. When I repeat what I learn, I remember it better. I think about it all day so I can remember to tell him. Or so that my memory is jogged from my super early study. 

How do you study? What is effective for you? 

Introduction!

Hey all! This blog is a place for me to share insights from my daily scripture study that I feel comfortable sharing with other people. I thought it might help me to be accountable because daily scripture study is a struggle for me sometimes.

There is so much darkness in the world! However, I know that when I study the scriptures, I feel light engulf my soul. I feel the support of angels near me. My day goes better! I want to share the light I am gaining with those who need the light of the gospel in their lives. I figured this would be the best outlet for me at this time since I am a stay at home mom and this is about what I have time for.

Feel free to comment! Share your thoughts with me! Let's build each other up and gather light together! Let's help each other build faith in Jesus Christ.

Please keep in mind that what I write is my perspective. I have limited knowledge because I am a student learning: not the master teacher. If something doesn't ring true to you, please comment1 I would love to see your perspective and ponder it so I can further gain a testimony of truth. However, I will not be publishing all comments. If they do not promote building faith in Jesus Christ, then they will not show up in the feed.

1 Timothy 1:4-8

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-tim/1?lang=eng

I had to read this section a few times and read the footnotes to understand the vocabulary and the context of these verses. I find them quite interesting. Here is how I broke it up in my mind:

4: don't listen to or pass around stories that offer or present questions, evil surmisings (1 Timothy 6:4)  and doubts rather than build faith in Jesus Christ. If it does not build faith or is not uplifting, ignore it. 

5: Our end goal is to have a pure heart and conscience supported by faith. 

6: There were people who were dissenting from the church and using " vain, idle, fruitless discussion" (see footnote). This reminded me of what I see on social media: people not satisfied about something they don't understand in the church (or out of the church) and gossiping or spreading ideas that are not founded on revealed doctrine.

7: This verse also reminded me of social media. Sunday school also came to mind. I feel a lot of the time, teachers and good willing people try to push their opinion of doctrine rather than stick to what it says in the scriptures and trusting what modern day prophets have revealed. There is a sense in everybody of needing to be "right" and it is very much like the natural man to push aside truth and twist it into a form that promotes popularity or simply attention. 

8: In SJ translation: God's laws are the way to go. We can trust Him. IF we obey the law with a sincere heart (use it lawfully) without the intent to get gain but rather to be close to God and glorify Him, the "law is good."