For as long as I can remember I had difficulty staying focused while reading. The smallest thing would distract me and take my mind elsewhere. But about 6 or 7 months ago I decided that I would listen to the scriptures. I’ve always felt that listen to the scriptures wasn't really studying the scriptures, I felt like I was cheating. Out of convenience I normally read the scriptures on my tablet using Gospel Library. And if you’ve used Gospel Library you know that at the bottom of each chapter there is an icon that allows you to play the audio for that chapter.
So that’s what I did. I started listening to the scriptures and I followed along reading word for word. That’s when it hit me. There’s no such thing as cheating when it comes to scripture study. I started to realize that it wasn’t that I was cheating, it was my pride that made me feel like it was cheating.
By studying the scriptures this way there were multiple benefits.
1.You can stop at any time to take notes, organize your notes, highlight verses and create links between your notes and other verses.
2.The speed at which the audio is reading helps you stay focused and doesn’t let you get distracted.
3.It helps by not letting you get hung up on the harder words or names. Which was another big distraction.
2.The speed at which the audio is reading helps you stay focused and doesn’t let you get distracted.
3.It helps by not letting you get hung up on the harder words or names. Which was another big distraction.
Before I started reading the scriptures this way it was really frustrating to try to learn from reading the scriptures. So I relied heavily on listening to the Gospel Doctrine teachers and what they were teaching on Sunday.
I consider myself an average guy of average intelligence and by using this technique to study the scriptures, I have read The Book of Mormon three times, Doctrine and Covenants once and New Testament once in 6 months. I’ve taken over 300+ notes and now can participate in class discussions. I have no problem remembering scripture stories or who were in them. Plus my motivation to study harder is through the roof. I finally feel like I’m progressing in the Gospel.
In my next blog I'll talk about what to do with your notes and enhancing your ability to remember what you’re learning.
I’ve started listening to the four gospels, I struggled to read the Bible because I didn’t grow up reading it or referring to it as much as The Book is Mormon. Listening is so helpful. I love what you said, nothing is cheating. Sometimes when I’m really struggling to understand a passage (looking at you Isaiah) I’ll even google the assuage and see what insight others have.
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