Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Scripture Journal Inspiration

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Scripture Journal Inspiration

I am so excited about this recent discovery... I had to share! I've been attempting to study my scriptures by topic for awhile now... I've read through the scriptures multiple times, one time even reading the Book of Mormon twice in two months, and felt like I needed a deeper, different experience with the scriptures. I hadn't found the perfect motivation for it yet... I hadn't found the system that would really help me learn and live the scriptures... until a dear friend opened my eyes to this.

This amazing woman makes these scripture journals... and they are beautiful. Amazing. She picks topics to study, lays it all out in the journal, and then as she studies the scriptures, conference, the Ensign, etc., she fills in thoughts and studies under each topic. I will never make such beautiful journals, but I still knew this was right up my alley. This is what I did last conference with my notes:

My notes are a lot messier, but I think The Red Headed Hostess and I think along the same wavelengths.

So, I've started... I got this beautiful journal from Brandon's parents for my birthday, and thought it would be the perfect thing to start this journey of digging deep into the scriptures, and gospel learning.

I had Aubrey write some quotes in the front (because she has awesome handwriting, and we're going to do this project together, and I wanted a part of her in my book), and I had her number my pages.

I picked topics and wrote a table of contents...

And now I'm ready to begin. :) Anyone want to join me and Aubrey? We're using this for a Personal Progress project.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...: Umm...Yes please! I've just been thinking about this subject and feeling a little...really?! 1Nephi...again?! I'm working at personal progress with McKelle...this would be awesome. Now...I'm a smidge thick, so I'm gonna need a little more coaching as to what you are doing?! And if you're feeling particularly generous, your topic list! ;) Do you have my email? one2manydiapers@hotmail.com And ANY excuse to purchase a new journal, I'm in! I'm feeling super excited right now! Thank you dear friend!!!!; 10:04 PM
Mindy said...: Kim, click on the links to the original idea that I got the inspiration from, and you'll get some great in-depth instructions and helps. I used most of her topics, except I grouped them differently. Here's the direct link to specific instructions on how to set them up: http://theredheadedhostess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/scripture-journals.pdf

I'm so excited that you're doing this!! I'd be glad to answer any more questions you have, but keep in mind that I'm brand new to this, and definitely no expert. ;); 10:09 PM
Tari said...: (Deep Breath) I want to it looks great! I'm excited about it.....sometimes do you just have to mentally prepare your self for such a big project? I think that will be my first step. I want to do it I just don't want it to end up one of those unfinished projects! And how cool to have one for each of my children.....but that means I better get to work, I've got 4 kids already!; 10:40 PM
Lucy said...: Thank you Mindy!!!! Just exactly what I was looking for. You are simply Marvelous!; 6:59 AM
Mindy said...: Tari, it does seem a bit of a big overwhelming project, but just think of it in little bites. Get the journal set up, then just know that it may even take years to fill up. (I'm hoping for a year, but I'm being realistic with myself too. ;) Also, I have to REALLY let go of perfectionism as I do this... I'm going to have mistakes in there... I know I'll realize later that I should've done a few things differently, but I'm just going with it. I'll help you with whatever you need!; 7:13 AM
Mike, Sha, Kenna, Kate, & Garrett said...: I want and more than anything NEED to. My life feels crazy and I think that is because I have very little spiritual uplifting-ment(made that one up) in it. This is something I struggle with. How and where should I start?; 7:24 AM
Myke Weber said...: How's about bringing it to Church and letting me take a gander at it?; 12:48 PM
Mindy said...: I can do that, Myke. :) Don't let me forget...; 12:48 PM
Rebecca Adams said...: That's a great idea! I've been wanting to 'study' the scriptures more, but lately I've felt like all I'm doing is 'reading' and not getting as much as I could out of the scriptures. I like that you said you have to let go of perfectionism because I have a BIG problem with that! :); 2:03 PM
Christine said...: I think that is a fantastic idea! Maybe I'll try it, too. We've been really good with family scripture study, but I've been wanting to do better with my personal study. This would be a good way for me to try harder even if I only had a few minutes at a time. Thanks Mindy!!!!; 7:15 PM
Alison said...: Hi Mindy! Hope you don't mind I found your blog! I love this project. It made me think of a man Morgan told me about that he met on his mission. He had copy after copy of the Book of Mormon on a shelf. He had read each studying and marking each one with a different topic. (Like one was about prayer, the next was about repentance and so on.) I always wanted to do that! :) Good luck on your project!; 10:34 AM

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche