Daily scripture study

[stemelbow]

What does reading the scriptures daily give us?

Is there magic in such an action? 

Or is it possible we gain just as much if we read other things, meditate on other teachings daily? 

Maybe it's not our canonical scriptures that carry great influence but the act of reading, pondering and praying.  If so, can't we read many things and get inspiration, just as much or more so? 

I'd say yes.  what does everyone else think?

[Tsuzuki]

It's as effective as any other daily ritual, in that it helps you keep focused on what's important to you. It's a type of yoga.

[HappyJackWagon]

It's a form of mindfulness about Godly things. It's continual learning (or reinforcing past learning) that keeps focus on God, our duty to God and to our neighbor. Hopefully it encourages us to stay focused on following Jesus' example of compassion and service.

[stemelbow]

20 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

It's a form of mindfulness about Godly things. It's continual learning (or reinforcing past learning) that keeps focus on God, our duty to God and to our neighbor. Hopefully it encourages us to stay focused on following Jesus' example of compassion and service.

I can agree.  I'd be curious, though, if what we call "scripture" is the only way to gain that.  Must we daily read from the BOM, for instance, to best keep our "focus on God, our duty to God and to our neighbor" and best encouraging ourselves "to stay focused on following Jesus' example of compassion and service"?

I ask because I can get all of that by not reading the scriptures in our canon or not.  I can get it from reading nearly anything out there, meditating and pondering many things.  So why must scriptures be read daily?  Why not read, ponder and pray with our without scriptures?

[RevTestament]

44 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

What does reading the scriptures daily give us?

Is there magic in such an action? 

Or is it possible we gain just as much if we read other things, meditate on other teachings daily? 

Maybe it's not our canonical scriptures that carry great influence but the act of reading, pondering and praying.  If so, can't we read many things and get inspiration, just as much or more so? 

I'd say yes.  what does everyone else think?

I believe family scripture study is very important. As a parent it gives me an opportunity to relate to my children why I believe the way I do; how I interpret scriptures differently than traditional Christians, etc. So for instance why I am not "pro-choice."

Even as an adult private scripture study is relevant. I continue to learn things from scripture. I continue to learn the weaknesses of the translation of the KJV for instance. I continue to gain new insights. Anyone who believes they completely understand all the scriptures have to offer probably is deluding themselves. As a consequence of my study of the scriptures over the last 20 years, I do not read them the same I did when I was growing up as a Baptist. I do not read them the same as a traditional Christian does. I do not even read them the same as the typical LDS person does. My wife is pretty good at bringing up questions about various scriptures, which I believe has led the family to new insights - the more minds the better chance of gaining new insights. I routinely learn new things off my participation in forums such as this one as well, and various papers and studies brought up as well. Understanding the scriptures is a continual process. So yes, we also apply Church commentary, and outside information to our study as well, and ask for spiritual guidance. It definitely is not "magic." It involves a good deal of work to understand the scriptures - to apply Hebraic cultural outlook, etc. To just sit down and read the scriptures literally through English translation of Greek or Western linear type of interpretation is going to result in misunderstandings - which I believe is one reason there are so many sects.

[stemelbow]

28 minutes ago, Tsuzuki said:

It's as effective as any other daily ritual, in that it helps you keep focused on what's important to you. It's a type of yoga.

Self-fulfilling prophecies then?

"If you read your scriptures, you'll feel better, be more focused and have the SPirit"

So a person does so finds the claim to be true.  Then for a time doesn't read the scriptures and finds he/she loses all of that.  But the person tries other sources to help motivate and meditate and gets back focus and Spirit.  Is there magic in scripture or is it just the practice and means, habit of it that helps?  You say yes.  So do I. 

"I just feel better reading my scriptures daily". 

Ok.  That's cool.  But does everyone?   

 

[stemelbow]

An addition,

What does "daily scripture study" entail for everyone?

 

 

[stemelbow]

1 minute ago, RevTestament said:

I believe family scripture study is very important. As a parent it gives me an opportunity to relate to my children why I believe the way I do; how I interpret scriptures differently than traditional Christians, etc. So for instance why I am not "pro-choice."

I hear ya.  But you don't need family scripture study to do any of that.  But I surely see it can help provide a platform for such things. 

1 minute ago, RevTestament said:

Even as an adult private scripture study is relevant. I continue to learn things from scripture. I continue to learn the weaknesses of the translation of the KJV for instance. I continue to gain new insights. Anyone who believes they completely understand all the scriptures have to offer probably is deluding themselves. As a consequence of my study of the scriptures over the last 20 years, I do not read them the same I did when I was growing up as a Baptist. I do not read them the same as a traditional Christian does. I do not even read them the same as the typical LDS person does. My wife is pretty good at bringing up questions about various scriptures, which I believe has led the family to new insights - the more minds the better chance of gaining new insights. I routinely learn new things off my participation in forums such as this one as well, and various papers and studies brought up as well. Understanding the scriptures is a continual process. So yes, we also apply Church commentary, and outside information to our study as well, and ask for spiritual guidance. It definitely is not "magic." It involves a good deal of work to understand the scriptures - to apply Hebraic cultural outlook, etc. To just sit down and read the scriptures literally through English translation of Greek or Western linear type of interpretation is going to result in misunderstandings - which I believe is one reason there are so many sects.

Thanks for all of that.  I can see what you're saying.  One element of scripture study that I find most impressive is, we're reading from an ancient source and trying to get meaning out of it.   Of coruse, then debate rages if the BoM, for instance, can be considered ancient so I won't worry too much about that.  But when reading these things, even Joseph's time feels ancient to me.  I frankly marvel at the insights that Higher Criticism adds to the OT for instance, and in many ways I barely get to the surface of most of that. 

Anyway, thanks.

[HappyJackWagon]

38 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

I can agree.  I'd be curious, though, if what we call "scripture" is the only way to gain that.  Must we daily read from the BOM, for instance, to best keep our "focus on God, our duty to God and to our neighbor" and best encouraging ourselves "to stay focused on following Jesus' example of compassion and service"?

I ask because I can get all of that by not reading the scriptures in our canon or not.  I can get it from reading nearly anything out there, meditating and pondering many things.  So why must scriptures be read daily?  Why not read, ponder and pray with our without scriptures?

Is it the only way to be mindful? I don't think so. Prayer serves a similar role and there are other ritualistic practices that could keep a person focused. Wearing the garment is another practice designed to do the same thing.

The thing that's different about scriptures though is it is more of an organized meditative process. Instead of following ones thoughts or feelings (which some would argue is more effective) scriptures guide the individual through a general thought process or path.

[stemelbow]

7 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

Is it the only way to be mindful? I don't think so. Prayer serves a similar role and there are other ritualistic practices that could keep a person focused. Wearing the garment is another practice designed to do the same thing.

The thing that's different about scriptures though is it is more of an organized meditative process. Instead of following ones thoughts or feelings (which some would argue is more effective) scriptures guide the individual through a general thought process or path.

Thanks HappyJack.  I don't see the need for scriptures to do any of this, though.  You can use any inspiring business self-help books with the same results, it seems to me.  Are you suggesting there's something exceptionally special about what is in our canon that can be more beneficial to humans if they study it daily then any other source? 

[bluebell]

I think it all depends on whether or not scripture is different from other forms of inspiration, comfort, and guidance.  Does something being 'the word of God' imbue it with the ability to impact us in a way that things that aren't 'the word of God' can't do?

I think they do (and the church teaches that they do),  while others don't.  I don't know that there's any way to prove either position as the correct one.    

[hope_for_things]

2 hours ago, stemelbow said:

What does reading the scriptures daily give us?

Is there magic in such an action? 

Or is it possible we gain just as much if we read other things, meditate on other teachings daily? 

Maybe it's not our canonical scriptures that carry great influence but the act of reading, pondering and praying.  If so, can't we read many things and get inspiration, just as much or more so? 

I'd say yes.  what does everyone else think?

I was taught that there is something supernatural about it, that you would literally have protection.  Think about the primary song Scripture Power. 

I don't think there is anything supernatural about a daily scripture practice anymore.  Just like exercising, a daily practice of things will help you keep ideas in your mind that could be helpful, but I don't attach a supernatural expectation to this daily practice.  My muscles are stronger if I exercise daily, but I can't turn into He-Man and call down powers of super strength.  

[RevTestament]

57 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

One element of scripture study that I find most impressive is, we're reading from an ancient source and trying to get meaning out of it.   Of coruse, then debate rages if the BoM, for instance, can be considered ancient so I won't worry too much about that. 

Being ancient doesn't matter much in some ways. Genesis is ancient, but yet I contend contains a concise symbolic presentation of the plan of salvation. We find the tree of life is introduced, and it reappears in the last scriptures of the NT, Revelation, as well as the Book of Mormon. The additional scripture has revealed more about it, but that doesn't make the ancient scripture less relevant. To understand God, it doesn't really matter how old the scriptures are - since the nature of God doesn't change.

[stemelbow]

4 minutes ago, bluebell said:

I think it all depends on whether or not scripture is different from other forms of inspiration, comfort, and guidance.  Does something being 'the word of God' imbue it with the ability to impact us in a way that things that aren't 'the word of God' can't do?

I think they do (and the church teaches that they do),  while others don't.  I don't know that there's any way to prove either position as the correct one.    

I find the view of the Church constricting and more of a confirmation bias thing.  What I gain from reading from the canon, can be good, at times, but I find it's no more useful or good then if I read many other things, and quite often less useful in a spiritual sense. 

I've also learned, at least for me, scripture is more meaningful if I seek to learn more about the origin of the writings, or the culture from whence it came, or study the experts view of what is meant and why things are said a certain way.  In a way those supplements are just as much the word of God as scripture, ti seems to me.  And if those are, why not other writings?  

My question often boils down to, are we missing too much by shallowly reading the scriptures each day in favor of expanding our minds and understandings in other ways?  I hope not, but often it feels that way when it comes to Church.   

 

[stemelbow]

3 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

Being ancient doesn't matter much in some ways. Genesis is ancient, but yet I contend contains a concise symbolic presentation of the plan of salvation. We find the tree of life is introduced, and it reappears in the last scriptures of the NT, Revelation, as well as the Book of Mormon. The additional scripture has revealed more about it, but that doesn't make the ancient scripture less relevant. To understand God, it doesn't really matter how old the scriptures are - since the nature of God doesn't change.

Sure.  I mean it carries additional meaning for me, and some level of sacredness, knowing, for instance, that the bible has been around a long time, and has been an inspiration for so many.  It's extra meaningful to me to learn that much of the OT, for instance, is based on ancient Mesopotamian literature and myth.  The flood, then, is not history, it's a story meant to enliven the faith, ritual, and dedication of those from whence the tradition came.  As history, if it were, it'd be nearly meaningless to me, because a God destroying people because they don't know how He wants them to lives is not a God at all. Scripture then truly is a people's perspective on God and their effort to enlighten their people to faith or in many cases fear in God. 

God changes tons as filtered through the lense of different people, though.  that's why the Bible presents such a conflicted God, even though there was obviously extensive effort to hide that or change that.  The scriptures don't define God, so much as try and give us perspective on how various people viewed God, worked with the notion of God, or felt influenced by God.  It's a ton of piece work for an individual to find their God in that, though.  which is really an interesting journey to engage in.  Add many more perspectives from various stations, and you come away with much more.  It seems to me our better method would see scripture as less the word of God and more a piece or tool God uses among many to inspire and do good among the children of men.  That scripture has been used to do bad at times, tells me, there's more import in what biases we carry into scripture than what people get out of it. 

[HappyJackWagon]

37 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

Thanks HappyJack.  I don't see the need for scriptures to do any of this, though.  You can use any inspiring business self-help books with the same results, it seems to me.  Are you suggesting there's something exceptionally special about what is in our canon that can be more beneficial to humans if they study it daily then any other source? 

Nope. Just explaining what purpose it may fill in the lives of believing members.

Whether or not there are other ways that also work  isn't really the point. If daily scripture reading fills the need and works for some, that is great for them and I support their efforts.

[RevTestament]

5 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

Sure.  I mean it carries additional meaning for me, and some level of sacredness, knowing, for instance, that the bible has been around a long time, and has been an inspiration for so many.  It's extra meaningful to me to learn that much of the OT, for instance, is based on ancient Mesopotamian literature and myth.  The flood, then, is not history, it's a story meant to enliven the faith, ritual, and dedication of those from whence the tradition came.  As history, if it were, it'd be nearly meaningless to me, because a God destroying people because they don't know how He wants them to lives is not a God at all. Scripture then truly is a people's perspective on God and their effort to enlighten their people to faith or in many cases fear in God. 

Whether or not the OT is based on Mesopotamian myth is somewhat debatable I believe. Of course most historians probably see it differently - but anyway for instance "the Savior" motif seems to appear in other cultures long before Christianity arrived on the scene. Why is that? Is that because Christianity copied them? Or is that because Satan knew the Savior was coming, so introduced these other motifs to muddy the waters so-to-speak? I believe there was an Adam in Mesopotamia. The message/covenant of God He introduced just got drowned out by other cultural traditions/gods. I believe there was an Eden/Edin - this seems to be where God taught man/Adam to write, and taught him agriculture. Indeed we seem to first find these things in Mesopotamia right at the time of Adam. I believe it is a somewhat similar story with The Book of Abraham. Do we accept the later Egyptian reading of the scrolls like scholars do or do we believe Joseph was seeing something much older these symbols once represented before hieroglyphics evolved? Hebrews routinely saw something different in Egyptian iconography than Egyptians saw. Anyway, the scholarly view seems to invariably win out in our modern society, but there are interpretations of history which don't involve assuming Christianity is all based on prior mythologies

[rongo]

stemelbow:

I am a voracious reader, and my temptation is to minimize my scripture study (out of the canon) in lieu of other "good" things. I read a chapter in the Standard Works every day (currently Book of Mormon, because President Monson asked us to focus on that at this time), but I also find time to read my other things as well. We also read a chapter as a family every morning. 

There is something "magical," as you put it, out of the Standard Works that is not the same as other good books (commentaries, studies, etc.). As President Benson promised, the Spirit will flow into our lives from the moment we make a serious study of the Book of Mormon, for example. My testimony from my experience is that the effect is cumulative: that one can look back on the period of time where one does do scripture study and acknowledge the blessings that came from that. The full blessings come from consistent, day-by-day persistence, and the full blessings don't come overnight. The blessings of Standard Works study are different from "other good books" study, and will only be fully realized if one consistently does it. 

The temptation/rationalization is to rearrange the "good, better, best" deck so as to demote S.W. study down a tier, and to elevate commentaries or studies or whatever to "best." The testimony and revelation benefits of scripture study only come through those, in their fullness, in my experience. 

[stemelbow]

3 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

Whether or not the OT is based on Mesopotamian myth is somewhat debatable I believe. Of course most historians probably see it differently - but anyway for instance "the Savior" motif seems to appear in other cultures long before Christianity arrived on the scene. Why is that? Is that because Christianity copied them? Or is that because Satan knew the Savior was coming, so introduced these other motifs to muddy the waters so-to-speak? I believe there was an Adam in Mesopotamia. The message/covenant of God He introduced just got drowned out by other cultural traditions/gods. I believe there was an Eden/Edin - this seems to be where God taught man/Adam to write, and taught him agriculture. Indeed we seem to first find these things in Mesopotamia right at the time of Adam. I believe it is a somewhat similar story with The Book of Abraham. Do we accept the later Egyptian reading of the scrolls like scholars do or do we believe Joseph was seeing something much older these symbols once represented before hieroglyphics evolved? Hebrews routinely saw something different in Egyptian iconography than Egyptians saw. Anyway, the scholarly view seems to invariably win out in our modern society, but there are interpretations of history which don't involve assuming Christianity is all based on prior mythologies

Anything is debatable, I suppose, as long as there is someone out there who wants to debate it.  That much of the BIble seems to be based on prior mythologies does not mean Christianity itself is based on them.  BUt nothing in this life occurs in a vacuum.  And we are all just people unable to see clearly enough to paint a picture of God that is wholly consistent and thus, probably never will be a very accurate representation of Him.  Luckily we do have prior people's experience that can help us.  but what results is we're being given a direction before we even start, and that direction or the basis of it likely carries some amount of misinformation.  Our end prize is not achieved because we work at it each day. It's given to us after we work at it each day and fail. 

If we lack finding meaning in things like the flood as not history because we want the Bible to be true, then I'm not sure what people get out of the story, to be honest. 

[RevTestament]

23 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

God changes tons as filtered through the lense of different people, though.  that's why the Bible presents such a conflicted God, even though there was obviously extensive effort to hide that or change that.  The scriptures don't define God, so much as try and give us perspective on how various people viewed God, worked with the notion of God, or felt influenced by God.  It's a ton of piece work for an individual to find their God in that, though.  which is really an interesting journey to engage in. 

I understand that is your interpretation. I think God is pretty consistent tho. I assume you are talking about things like God commanding the Midianites to be slain or the Hebrews attacking the Canaanites. People seem to forget the Midianites attacked Israel first before they arrived at Sinai. People also seem to forget that God commanded the Israelites to first publish peace to the cities of Canaan, and offer them to be peacefully ruled by Israel. Presumably, they could also choose to leave if they did not wish peaceful coexistence. When God brings the plagues in this millenium, people will curse God. They will say things like they say of the God of the OT - how could a loving God do these things? He can do them because they were warned and given an  opportunity to repent, but did not. Therefore, God will defend His people. It is not because God is vengeful - it is because man's heart is prideful and will not want to give up the God they created apart from scripture. 

This debate will of course rage on, but I just thought I'd present my perspective

[stemelbow]

8 minutes ago, rongo said:

stemelbow:

I am a voracious reader, and my temptation is to minimize my scripture study (out of the canon) in lieu of other "good" things. I read a chapter in the Standard Works every day (currently Book of Mormon, because President Monson asked us to focus on that at this time), but I also find time to read my other things as well. We also read a chapter as a family every morning. 

There is something "magical," as you put it, out of the Standard Works that is not the same as other good books (commentaries, studies, etc.). As President Benson promised, the Spirit will flow into our lives from the moment we make a serious study of the Book of Mormon, for example. My testimony from my experience is that the effect is cumulative: that one can look back on the period of time where one does do scripture study and acknowledge the blessings that came from that. The full blessings come from consistent, day-by-day persistence, and the full blessings don't come overnight. The blessings of Standard Works study are different from "other good books" study, and will only be fully realized if one consistently does it. 

The temptation/rationalization is to rearrange the "good, better, best" deck so as to demote S.W. study down a tier, and to elevate commentaries or studies or whatever to "best." The testimony and revelation benefits of scripture study only come through those, in their fullness, in my experience. 

Thanks.  I think you're saying (correct me if I'm wrong):  You think daily scripture study does carry more purpose and meaning (thus blessings from God) to individuals who so engage moreso than studying and reading other things each day? 

I ask, what blessing do you have that others do not have for doing so? 

When I see you say, "I read a chapter in the Standard Works every day" It sounds like you are saying your scripture study consists of reading out of the scriptures.  Is there study involved or just reading?  Do you ever study extra-scripturat material and/or aids to help supplement scripture and if so, is that ever seen as a replacement of scripture reading to you? 

 

[rockpond]

Like others, my daily study is Book of Mormon reading with my family supplemented with listening to gen con talks occasionally.

And my personal study is more topical... focused on digging into the scriptural basis of the lessons that I am scheduled to teach and Duty to God topics (since I am serving in YM) and reading from the "best books" for added insight and inspiration.

Also, since I drive a lot, I love using the audio version of the scriptures that is included in the LDS Library app.  I find that sometimes I get a new perspective from hearing a chapter read to me that I didn't get when reading it myself.

[stemelbow]

4 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

I understand that is your interpretation. I think God is pretty consistent tho.

God is consistent, I'd grant that, provided there is a God.  But various people's telling of God is hardly consistent.  I realize this will remain debatable because people just want to think scripture cannot err in some sense, but in reality I don't think there is any credible way to suggest the God described by the many voices in scripture is wholly consistent. 

4 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

 

I assume you are talking about things like God commanding the Midianites to be slain or the Hebrews attacking the Canaanites. People seem to forget the Midianites attacked Israel first before they arrived at Sinai. People also seem to forget that God commanded the Israelites to first publish peace to the cities of Canaan, and offer them to be peacefully ruled by Israel. Presumably, they could also choose to leave if they did not wish peaceful coexistence. When God brings the plagues in this millenium, people will curse God. They will say things like they say of the God of the OT - how could a loving God do these things? He can do them because they were warned and given an  opportunity to repent, but did not. Therefore, God will defend His people. It is not because God is vengeful - it is because man's heart is prideful and will not want to give up the God they created apart from scripture. 

This debate will of course rage on, but I just thought I'd present my perspective

Thanks.  I wish your arguments here carried some weight, but they don't. (there that smiley face ought to make it come off ok)

 

[rockpond]

3 hours ago, stemelbow said:

What does reading the scriptures daily give us?

Is there magic in such an action? 

Or is it possible we gain just as much if we read other things, meditate on other teachings daily? 

Maybe it's not our canonical scriptures that carry great influence but the act of reading, pondering and praying.  If so, can't we read many things and get inspiration, just as much or more so? 

I'd say yes.  what does everyone else think?

Adam Miller's book "Letters to a Young Mormon" has a great chapter title "Scripture" that goes into this subject beautifully.  I highly recommend it.

[JLHPROF]

2 hours ago, stemelbow said:

I can agree.  I'd be curious, though, if what we call "scripture" is the only way to gain that.  Must we daily read from the BOM, for instance, to best keep our "focus on God, our duty to God and to our neighbor" and best encouraging ourselves "to stay focused on following Jesus' example of compassion and service"?

I ask because I can get all of that by not reading the scriptures in our canon or not.  I can get it from reading nearly anything out there, meditating and pondering many things.  So why must scriptures be read daily?  Why not read, ponder and pray with our without scriptures?

I have a slightly more expansive view of canon, so I don't think it needs to be in the 4 standard works if that's what you are asking.
But just as prayer is important daily, so is focusing on the gospel.

I think limiting ourselves to the 4 standard works is akin to wanting to only talk about Christ in our meetings.  Not a bad thing, but limiting.