My Newest Project

 What is this messy mass of pages poking out you ask?  This is half of my beloved, well used, much marked set of scriptures.  Over the years I have accumulated notes from Institute classes and other Church classes, I have added notes from Stake Conferences and copies of talks from General Conference for easy reference.

And they are starting to show the use-dare I say abuse?- of all these added pieces and pages.  You can really see it from this angle.  Look at that poor binding, sigh... Now, some may say to have them rebound, others may advise to get a whole new set.  I am trying a different tact first.  

A Scripture Journal-like the one I spotted here, at The Red Headed Hostess

This is one of hers about D and C 77-She teaches seminary, and I can tell I'd love her class!

Here's a different example of her journaling about the Priesthood.  Go check out her blog, it's inspiring, creative, and motivating.  I am so glad I found it and that she shares all she does.

When I read the idea it caught my attention, I could see what a treasure such a book would be, and it would help me solve the dilemma of my poor, over extended scriptures.  So....meet my new project or projects, since I'm never one to do things by halves...

I created one book for study by topic, I've added notes from classes and conferences, a place to jot down scriptures I love or have learned from and cross references to other topics.  I also write down my own thoughts, or quotes from General Authorities on the topic.  Mine is only just begun, but I can't wait to see it grow.  Above is pictured the "Atonement" section, with General Conference talks shrunk down on the left and notes started on the right, along with class handouts and quotes I love.  The Quotes and talks are just taped along one edge, so you can just lift them up to flip to the next one, and you can still write underneath them.

My other book is a Book of Mormon journal, it goes chapter by chapter (although sometimes it's a group of chapters) and includes notes and thoughts I've had as I've read, as well as class notes or gems from Conference talks relating to specific verses.

I had extra pages at the end of both books, so I left room to add topics or more pages as I go.  I even took the journal with me to Women's Conference at BYU last week, and wrote all my notes in the blank pages so I can always have them quick at hand.

I know this may seem complicated, or a lot of work, but it's just what I needed.  I've really missed having the focused, enlightening scripture study I enjoyed when I was teaching Relief Society and attending Institute each week.  This has helped my find a new way to focus myself.

I need a purpose, a goal when I study, or it's just reading.  Which is fine, it's just not what I need right now.  If you have something you do to enrich your personal study, please share! I'd love to learn more about what others do.