We all know how important our scripture studies are. The problem is, many of us struggle to find meaningful ways to engage with those studies on a daily basis. In today’s episode of Changing, Donald discusses 5 different powerful techniques that everyone can practice to develop a more meaningful daily scripture study.

1. Set apart time/location for studies 

• When he first started his walk with Christ, young Donald lived in a small apartment with his family. The TV in the living room was often distracting, as well as the outside porch and living area of the apartment. 
• Donald would find the only secluded place, his hallway bathroom, to study in peace and privacy for one hour every day. Often, he would study in the morning before the day got too busy. Other times he would block off an hour after school to study as a part of homework. He would even use the clothing hamper as his desk.
• Find a quiet space, whether that’s your patio, closet, or bedroom. Minimize distractions. Set a time on your alarm/calendar to remind you daily.

2. Focus on a specific book or topic for studies 

• No matter which scripture you are reading, it is important to study a specific book, then read chronologically (i.e. Old Testament, then New Testament, then Book of Mormon, etc). Or...
• Study by topic (ie faith, prayer, baptism, Atonement).
• Always open your studies with a prayer. Ask to learn something new via His inspiration.
• Study from General Conference talks. 

3. Use a journal

• Write down your spiritual thoughts and feelings in a notebook. Write insights from the Holy Ghost, no matter how subtle the feeling you get. They are important. 
• If you study the scriptures digitally, take notes in the Gospel Library app. You can tag notes, scriptures, talks, etc.

4. Share/discuss insights

• Maybe you have a podcast, YouTube channel, friends or family. Utilize those opportunities to share your insights with those outlets. Share with a Christian coworker and ask for their perspective.
• As a teenager, Donald stayed with a Christian family. At the dinner table, they would ask about everyone’s day. Donald would share what he studied.

5. Study with specific questions 

• As a bishop, Donald would often receive questions from his congregation members that he did not know the answers to. He would search for those answers in his daily scripture studies.
• Focus on characteristics of Christ, and form questions around who he was (ie “how can I improve who I am?” or “How can I protect my family from the influence of pornography?”).

If you have any questions for Donald, you can contact him at [email protected]. He is also happy to pray with you for guidance and inspiration. 

As we focus on studying the word of Christ, we walk with him. Audio credits to soundstripe.