Julie Beck's Ideas for Studying the Scriptures

Eighteen years ago, Sister Julie Beck, then a member of the Young Women's General Presidency, shared some specific details about how she studied the scriptures. I remember being so impressed by her process, and today I went back to read her talk (and was again impressed). However, in the written version online (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2004/04/my-soul-delighteth-in-the-scriptures?lang=eng), there aren't any photos, so I rewatched the video and took a few screen shots of her colored tabs and her "workbook"-like notes:

Here are a few points from her talk that I want to share today:

(1) She describes studying the scriptures as a skill. It isn't something we do once...we study daily, and over time, we grow our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(2) We can learn by likening the scriptures to ourselves, reading topically, reading books from start to finish, writing down names or key words when certain verses remind us of a specific event, reading in a different language, studying in order to get answers to our questions, or reading to gain knowledge or understanding as we start a new calling (to name a few ideas). There isn't a wrong or right way. Each time we read, it's adding to our knowledge.

(3) In her talk, Sister Beck referred to a talk by Joh Tanner called, "Responding to the Lord's Questions."(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/04/responding-to-the-lords-questions?lang=eng) In that talk, he says, "I’ve learned that the Lord’s questions of me are more important than my questions of Him." I went through that talk (wow), and here are a few questions he mentions:

• "Where art thou?" (The question invites Adam to account for himself and dignifies him with accountability.)
• “Where goest thou?” (Are we fleeing God or feeling after Him?)
• “But whom say ye that I am?”(The Lord measures us not alone by what we profess but by what we perform.)
• “Will ye also go away?” ("By contrast, I am forced to admit that sometimes I have deserted the Master; sometimes I have wandered.")
• “Lovest thou me?” ("...the Lord is insistent that this question be taken seriously...This question calls me to a deep accounting of my life. How well have I loved others?") 

He also adds, "Such divine questions now seem much more important than the questions I once wrote in the margins of my scriptures. Now when I read the scriptures, I feel the weight and tug of questions posed to me by the scriptures, such as: “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” (1 Ne. 11:16). “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (Matt. 8:26). “Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?” (Job 40:8). “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:23). “Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? … and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, … can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:14, 26)."

***I loved these so much that I made a printable list I could hang on our refrigerator.  :)

(4) Like Sister Beck, "Some days I have a lot of time to contemplate the scriptures. Other days I reflect on a few verses. Just as eating and breathing sustain my physical body, the scriptures feed and give life to my spirit."

I am so grateful for the gospel, and I am grateful for the scriptures and the power they bring into my life. As I study, I feel that "lift" that I simply cannot find anywhere else.

I read a lot of books, listen to a lot of podcasts, watch videos, attend trainings, and hear a lot of voices each week. But when I read and study my scriptures, I feel the glory and majesty of God, and I know that He is so willing to share His strength and might with me.