Digital Scripture Study for the Busy Latter-Day Saint: 7 Minutes a Day

By Richard Bernard

Scripture study is one of the keys to receiving revelation, but in today’s busy world, it’s never been more difficult—or more essential—to study the scriptures and be guided by the Spirit. Richard Bernard teaches how to engage in scripture study in just 7 minutes a day and how that can lead to revelation. Plus, in a 15-day guide, he shows you how to take advantage of and organize your Gospel Library in those same 7 minutes. Bring meaning and purpose back into your scripture study while creating an easy-access, life-long personal library of your spiritual journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
• Release date: Feb 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781462129539

Book preview

SECTION ONE

Your Personal Urim and Thummim

Nephi said, Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (2 Nephi 31:20). What a tremendous promise.

The word feast comes from the Latin word fester, meaning to celebrate. The Spanish word fiesta comes from this root. It is related to the word fanum, which means temple, also meaning to take pleasure or delight in something. Figuratively it means to dwell with gratification or delight; not to take lightly but to indulge.

Not only are we to feast upon the scriptures, but we are also to drink deeply from them. Elder Bednar said, The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is ‘the fountain of living waters’ (1 Nephi 11:25; Ether 8:26, 12:28), by reading (Mosiah 1:5), studying (D&C 26:1), searching (John 5:39; Alma 17:2), and feasting (2 Nephi 32:3) upon the words of Christ as contained in the holy scriptures. By so doing, we can receive both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey.[1]

Clearly the scriptures should not be treated casually; they are not mere words on a page. The scriptures provide us with direction and protection during our earthly lives.

President Ezra Taft Benson said in the April 1986 general conference, [The Lord’s] will is made manifest through the standard works, His anointed servants, and personal revelation.[2]

The scriptures not only contain revelation given to prophets for our benefit but also provide us with personal revelation. Elder D. Todd Christofferson stated, Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation.[3]

President Dallin H. Oaks expressed the same sentiment: Scripture is not limited to what it meant when it was written but may also include what that scripture means to a reader today.

President Oaks further remarked, We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation.[4]

While reading the scriptures is beneficial, studying them is far more beneficial. Studying leads to understanding. St. Hilary of Poitiers, bishop of Poitiers, France, in the fourth century, said, Scripture consists not in what one reads, but in what one understands.[5] It is in that process of understanding that revelation can come.

While scripture appears simple in form, it is a means of receiving insight, guidance, and personal revelation; it is a lamp unto [our] feet, and a light unto [our] path (Psalm 119:105). Scriptures quench the fiery darts of the adversary (1 Nephi 15:24) and provide a way for us to take upon His name more fully, to become even as He is.

Elder Richard G. Scott said, Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.[6]

President Oaks encouraged us "to make careful study of the scriptures and of the prophetic teachings concerning them and to prayerfully seek personal revelation to know their meaning for themselves.[6]

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, May I suggest, based on upon personal experience, that faith comes and revelations are received as a direct result of scripture study.

He continues, Paul says, ‘faith cometh by hearing’ the word of God. Joseph Smith taught that to gain faith men must have a knowledge of the nature and kind of being God is; they must have a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes; and they must so live as to gain the assurance that their conduct is in harmony with the divine will. Faith is thus born of scriptural study. Those who study, ponder, and pray about the scriptures, seeking to understand their deep and hidden meanings, receive from time to time great outpourings of light and knowledge from the Holy Spirit.[7]

Elder David A. Bednar expressed the same thought when speaking to students at a Ricks College devotional. He said, Scripture study is a preparation for and prerequisite to receiving personal revelation.[8] It is clear how dear our leaders hold the scriptures and personal revelation.

As stated in the beginning, the scriptures are there for us to feast upon and to drink deeply from. Through that process, we are privileged to receive revelation as needed.

As stated earlier in this chapter, Elder Oaks refers to the scriptures as a Urim and Thummim. I like that analogy. The Bible Dictionary states that Urim and Thummim is a Hebrew term that means ‘Lights and Perfections.’ An instrument prepared of God to assist man in obtaining revelation from the Lord.

The Urim and Thummim compares well with the Gospel Library because the Gospel Library is more than scripture; it is a vast library of material to help us in our study of the scriptures, and through studying comes light that will lead us to perfection. Like the Urim and Thummim, the Gospel Library is a gift from Heavenly Father.

A LAMP UNTO YOUR FEET

The scriptures are one of the keys to revelation, but how do we know we are receiving revelation? Often the mention of revelation brings up images of angels, prophets of old, or even the Savior appearing before us, but such is a rarity, as is hearing a voice from the heavens.

We experience revelation usually in one of two ways; through the mind or feelings.

Enos said, Behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind (Enos 1:10). In regard to Enos’s quote, Boyd K. Packer remarked, While this spiritual communication comes into the mind, it comes more as a feeling, an impression, than simply as a thought. Unless you have experienced it, it is very difficult to describe that delicate process.[9]

My personal experience has shown me again and again the truth of which Elder Packer speaks. I have learned the importance that praying and studying and pondering the scriptures plays in receiving personal revelation. While I do not expect revelation each time I study, it comes often enough and always at the right time. It guides me in the right direction, enlightens my mind, and helps me understand His works a little better and my role and responsibilities within them. I have seen the same happen to others.

I had the honor of serving a two-year service mission at the Provo Missionary Training Center. My responsibilities varied, but by far the greatest honor I had was working with missionaries who were struggling with studying the scriptures. I would meet with an elder or sister several times one-on-one and teach him or her how to study the