The 63rd Chronicle

Hello family and friends!

This week's email is a LONG ONE. Don't worry! The main body of this email is just notes from a talk I gave in sacrament meeting last week. Those interested can enjoy. I spoke on the blessings of personal scripture study and how to make it meaningful.

We had a blast last Preparation Day! We got to go as a Zone to the temple for a session. Much needed temple trip. I love the temple! There is serious power in serving others. Not to mention... I went with a lot of worries, concerns, stress... but came out with peace, confidence, and a feeling of understanding. Super nice. 

We also went to the bowling alley! That was a ton more fun than I expected. Don't know what's good or not but I got a 99 and then a 144. Said goodbye to a bunch of missionaries that are leaving. We have transfers this week!

So not to share any personal details, but Elder Brindley has been having some "health" issues recently and they are quite comical. He had to call the mission nurse and it ended up being an extremely awkward conversation. We spent the next three days visiting doctors and getting him four different kinds of medications or sprays. It felt like he had every issue imaginable. The whole process has been really painful for him but hilarious! Elder Brindley is a pretty funny kid. My favorite part is when he applies his spray and starts half-squeal half-laughing cause we're over there busting up. Goes to show that we can have laughter admist struggles.

**THE BLESSINGS OF SCRIPTURE STUDY TALK**

"Scripture power! Keeps me safe from sin. Scripture power! Is the power to win. Scripture power! Everyday I need, the power that I get each time I read." (Children's Songbook)

BLESSINGS OF SCRIPTURE STUDY

1) Increased faith in Jesus Christ

"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118)

2) Increased desire to repent

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrine of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study if behavior will improve behavior." -President Boyd K. Packer

3) Increased desire to share the gospel

"Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." (Doctrine & Covenants 11:21)

4) Helps us to receive revelation 

"Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” -President Russell M. Nelson

HOW TO MEANINGFULLY STUDY

Spiritual knowledge must be understood, valued, obeyed, remembered, and expanded.

1) Physically and mentally alert
2) Study at a desk with organized materials
3) Use a study journal

"Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light." -Elder Richard G. Scott

4) Bring questions and concerns
5) Start with prayer
6) Study the Bible, BofM, D&C, PofG, Living
    -Study a verse, section, or whole chapter
    -Breakdown and simplify principles
    -Look at the big picture
    -Liken the scriptures
    -Ask yourself, “What is the author saying?"
    -Study by topic
    -Study for people
    -Study to answer your questions
7) Set goals to apply and make a plan to act
8) Listen to the spirit throughout your study
9) Conclude with prayer
10) Share what you learned!

Resources for study:

Topical Guide
Bible Dictionary
Guide to the Scriptures
True to the Faith
Preach my Gospel
General Conference Talks
Gospel Topics
Gospel Essays
ChurchOfJesusChrist.org
Joseph Smith Translation
Index to the triple combination
Chapter headings
Footnotes
Maps

CONCLUSION

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

How do we develop a "hunger and thirst"?

1) Partake
2) Understand importance
3) Recognize dependency
4) Schedule time
5) Consistently do
6) Transform environment to help
7) Pray for help

"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. Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." (2 Nephi 4:15-16)

"... [scripture] study prepares you for service, offers solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength to endure to the end. Successful gospel study requires desire and action. “For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old” (1 Nephi 10:19). Like Enos, as you hunger to know the words of eternal life and as you allow these words to “[sink] deep into [your] heart” (Enos 1:3), the Holy Ghost will open your mind and heart to greater light and understanding." (PMG CHAPTER 2)

Kia Kaha!
Elder Brady