Writing Scripture
What does it mean to take responsibility for your own learning? Look for possible answers in Elder Bednar’s statement and in the following scriptures: John 7:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; James 1:5–6, 22; 2:17; 1 Nephi 10:17–19; 2 Nephi 4:15; Alma 32:27; and Doctrine and Covenants 18:18; 58:26–28; 88:118. What do you feel inspired to do to be more active in learning the gospel?
We had our best family scripture study of the year yesterday (haha, but also the best family scripture study of the last 365 days). It was wide ranging, heartfelt, had contributions from everyone, and had the presence of the Holy Ghost.
One thing that impressed me was 2 Nephi 4:15, from the section above.
15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
Writing scripture is not on the usual list of how to learn. Of course, we aren’t Nephi and don’t produce canon (though Nephi wouldn’t have been producing canon at this point either, and arguably the whole idea of ‘canon’ would have been foreign to him). However, scripture is more a continuum than a 0-1 binary. What we write under inspiration is scripture for ourselves and our families and friends. Not fully scripture like the canonized works, but a type or shadow of them.
So maybe what you and I all do here, writing out thoughts of personal and religious meaning, is a lot more significant than we think. This is not just a social media site. For example, Annie’s recent comment on Heaven Cannot Hold Him is something I pondered a bit and got real meaning from. Which is not to say we need to always comment solemnly or piously! We are going to start reading some scripture, the Gospels, that has its share of one liners and humor.
And maybe, like Nephi, we should sometimes literally copy scripture out and comment on it. A cut and paste job like in this post is a start, but only a start.
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Evenstar
January 2, 2023
In my experience, personal revelation is individual scripture.
Zen
January 3, 2023
For years now, I have been keeping a journal specifically for any spiritual experiences I have. If I have an impression when praying, or any time at all, I write it down. This has become a precious treasure of personal revelation. So I strongly urge you to record what the Lord tells you. This may strengthen you in receiving revelation.
When Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark, he was an ordinary member who recorded what he knew. And this was the basis of Matthew, Luke and to some degree, John. All just from an ordinary schmuck writing down what he knew. God is no respecter of persons. We can all assist with God’s work, including scripture.
Marilyn
January 10, 2023
My mother in law hand wrote (copied) ALL the standard works in notebooks a few years back. It took her maybe 5 years? I thought it was monumental. She said the best thing about it was the time it gave her to THINK about the scriptures as she wrote them. It forced her to slow down better than any other method, she says.
A few years back I started recording the blessings my husband gives me. I thought he mind not want me to or be self-conscious, but he was fine with it. (I just use voice recordings on the phone and then transcribe into my journal.) Those words are literally scripture to me. I find them indescribably precious.
My blog…I don’t know. Some of it might be scripturish…to my family, at least.
Marilyn
January 10, 2023
PS—I also agree with Zen: I have the same journal for the same purpose, and it has increased my (awareness of? Or maybe even reception of?) revelation tenfold. If we had a fire it’s the first thing i’d save.
E.C.
January 10, 2023
@ Marilyn,
I am doing the same thing as your mother in law, though not nearly so systematically. It’s good handwriting practice, and I find it helps immensely with memorization. I still can’t give you a reference for it, but I can quote long passages at you.
Not only that, but I feel like it connects me to all those scribes in days of yore who copied everything by hand, hoping to preserve it all.
I don’t think my journals would be the first thing I’d save, simply because there are so many of them. I pity my descendants if they try to go through them all.
G.
January 11, 2023
The comments on this post have been great. I have been inspired by them
Zen
January 12, 2023
I propose a challenge! — each of you, record each time you have a prompting or a spiritual experience, between now and General Conference.
I suggest you will be impressed with how much you actually have had, and that you will receive revelation more readily than before.
G.
January 13, 2023
Accepted!