I absolutely love the scriptures!! They provide a lot of insight on my faith and how I can come closer to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ. To be honest, I see no downside to reading scriptures. But it can be a struggle sometimes. Scriptures are written in a style of writing we don't normally use in today's society. "And it came to pass.....thou shalt not..... verily I say unto thee...." It can be hard to get into and understand the scriptures sometimes. But there are many tips and tools available to us to help us get more out of our scripture study. One of those tools is by marking your scriptures. I'd like to share with you how marking scriptures has helped me understand God's word even more.
First we need to understand why scriptures are even important in the first place. 2nd Nephi 25:26 offers some insight, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 also says "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The scriptures are an essential source of faith in Christ. The ultimate goal of scriptures is to teach us of Him and help us grow our faith in Him. No wonder God asks us to "Feast upon the words of Christ." (2nd Nephi 31:20, 32:3) Marking our scriptures is a tool we can use to help us more better feast upon His word.
There isn't one right way to mark your scriptures. Each person has a unique and individual way of doing it that makes the most sense to them. However you mark your scriptures, do what works for you! Here is a system that works for me that I'd like to share with you.
There are 10 different colors I use. Light blue, dark blue, light green, dark green, red, orange, purple, pink, yellow, and gold. Each one represents a different gospel topic or doctrine. Here's how it's organized.
Faith – Light Blue
Christlike Attributes, Service,
Charity, Love – Pink
Prayer, Answers to Prayers, Personal
Revelation – Purple
Jesus Christ, Atonement, Gospel of
Jesus Christ – Red
Commandments, Obedience, Counsel –
Dark Green
Repentance, Forgiveness – Gold
Holy Ghost,
Spiritual Gifts – Yellow
Plan of Salvation, Resurrection – Orange
Prophets, Prophecy, Priesthood, Scriptures – Dark Blue
Baptism, Missionary Work, Temple,
Fasting, Tithing, Covenants, Miscellaneous but Important Topics - Light Green
Whenever I come across a verse or passage of scripture that talks about one of these topics, I either color the whole verse that color or just the portion of that verse that talks about that specific topic. Sometimes you'll come across a verse that has multiple topics discussed and you can highlight those portions their respective color Sometimes you'll have a verse that talks about two or more topics all together and you might question which one to color it. Use your best judgement and do what you feel is best. The whole purpose of marking scriptures is to help you in your personal study of the scriptures.
Whatever works for you, do it!! As you develop a pattern of marking your scriptures, your desire to read and study them will increase. You begin to study more intently as you contemplate each verse and how it should be marked. You'll start seeing things and understanding things you haven't before, and your faith in Christ will grow. I know this is true because I've experienced it myself and continue to do so each day. I know the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ, and as we feast upon His word in the way that we learn the best, we will be filled and blessed!!
Scriptures on Scriptures!!!:
- 2nd Timothy 3:14-17
- 2nd Nephi 25:26
- 2nd Nephi 31:20
- 2 Nephi 32:3
- John 5:39
- John 20:31
- 2nd Peter 1:20-21
- Luke 24:32
- Psalms 19:7
- 2nd Nephi 4:15
- Alma 37:8
- Alma 37:44
- Preach My Gospel Chapter 2
