The Scripture Study Project

Joseph Smith had a swirl of questions in his mind and heart as he headed into the woods in 1820. When he came out of those woods he declared convincedly, "I have learned for myself." What happened between those questions and that answer is one of the most amazing and instructive stories ever recorded in religious history.

Just a few days into a brand new year we find ourselves, much like Joseph, asking serious questions and looking to heaven for serious answers. This week we look at Joseph's experience and ask ourselves, "What will I do to learn God's truth for myself?"

Show Notes:

Doctrine & Covenants study resources

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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

In many ways the world in 1831 looked very similar to the world in 2021. A cholera epidemic that had been spreading in other countries finally hit the United States. The country was recovering from an intense season of political strife and social unrest. An economic depression brought many individuals and families to their knees in the late 1830s. Many people had begun and would continue to advocate for significant social changes that would spawn a civil war and foreshadow multiple world wars. Certainly much of this and more was what the Lord meant when He stated that He knew of the "calamities" that would be coming.

After our very own year of calamity, also certainly foreknown by the Lord, we may find ourselves feeling very much like our early Church sisters and brothers--filled with questions, reeling from problems, and wrestling to find faith and truth in trying times. Into all of this the Lord spoke from heaven, gave instructions, and began an ongoing period of restoration that brought light and life to the world. 

As we begin our study of the Doctrine & Covenants this year we desperately desire the Lord continue that great work of restoration in our own lives. He commands all who read this book to "hearken" to His voice. The question for each of us, then, is this: what do I want to hear from the Lord as I study this year?

Show Notes:

Doctrine & Covenants study resources

Visit our website scripturestudyproject.com or connect to us on Instagram or Facebook

Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

A quick message from us to assure you we're still here (just enjoying the holidays), to tease some exciting changes coming for the podcast (based on your feedback), to gush our excitement for our study of the Doctrine and Covenants (we've been waiting), and to share a brief but powerful New Year's message that seems more fitting now than ever before. 

Show Notes:

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

In his final words to his modern readers Moroni "exhorts" us to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him". The word "perfect" in scriptures, especially when applied to mortals, rarely means to be faultless; rather, it means to become fully finished, completed, or matured. In our final episode of the Book of Mormon, using Moroni's final words to us, and reflecting on the year soon-to-be behind us, we study with you just how we can make it through to be or become "perfected in Christ".

Show Notes:

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

Moroni, despite being faced with the bleakest of worlds focused his final words on the faith, hope, and charity that comes from and directs us to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we navigate our own final days of a historic year we can join him in his focus and, if done right, can benefit from the same results. Study with us this week as we seek to "lay hold on every good thing" that comes from Christ.

Show Notes:

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

In a world "without order" Moroni writes repeatedly about ordainings and ordinances which, he explains, "keep them in the right way" and help his readers in "relying alone upon the merits of Christ" (Moroni 6:4). In some of the most-speed-read chapters of the Book of Mormon Moroni takes up precious space to teach the order that can come to us as we follow the instructions the Lord gives for His Church. Study along with us this week to bring into / increase / bring back order to your life and connection with God!

Show Notes:

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

Living in the latter days has never been more wrought with difficulties: from a pandemic to civil and political unrest to natural disasters and other causes of worldwide depression. It may seem like we are, as Mormon once described, "a vessel . . . tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her" (Mormon 5:18). However, our study this week can provide was Moroni described as "an anchor to the souls of men [and women], which would make them sure and steadfast" (Ether 12:4). Study with is this week as we search for greater faith, increased hope, and some grounding truths in our turbulent lives.

Show Notes:

President Nelson's Message of Healing and Hope

The Story Behind the Global Prayer of Gratitude

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

In the briefly-told, repeatedly-cycling story of the Jaredites' righteousness and wickedness it was when they "remembered the great things that the Lord had done for [their] fathers in bringing them across the great deep" that the people find peace and joy. In this episode we study three specific things the Lord did for this ancient people in their "great deep" that He can and will do for a modern people in our own "great deep". A fitting follow-up to last week's episode!

Show Notes:

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

President Nelson prophesied two years ago, "in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation." Looking at 2020 it may seem like that at least one of those "coming days" is here. In this episode we study the story of Jared and his brother and their quest for personal revelation and focus on guiding truths that can help us, as President Nelson said, "grow into the principle of revelation".

Show Notes:

Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our lives," General Conference, April 2018.

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free

It would have been understandable for Mormon or Moroni to focus on the negative as they witnessed the destruction of their people--but they didn't. "I will show unto you a God of miracles," said Moroni in full knowledge that we would one day read his words and his description of those miracles. Similarly, it would be understandable if we wanted to focus on the negative as we witness the hardships our own people and plant face--but we shouldn't. Study with us this episode as we learn about and look for the Lord's miracles in the scriptures and in our own lives!

Show Notes:

Boyd K. Packer, "The Balm of Gilead," General Conference, Otober 1977.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "God Will Do Something Unimaginable," General Conference, October 2020.

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Music: "Something Elated" by Broke For Free