Understanding Your Personal Scripture

Your Personal Scripture is Your Patriarchal Blessing

SCRIPTURE: “My soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah for I came out of Jerusalem and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews.”—2 Nephi 25:5

"Remember to Begin Each Study Session with a Prayer"

The First Key to unlocking the treasure in your patriarchal blessing is reading with the Spirit of  Prophecy or the testimony of Jesus. Nephi tell us (2 Nephi 25:4-5) how we can get the most out of our scriptures. He was speaking about understanding Isaiah, but the keys to successful scripture study will apply to your own personal scripture, i.e., your patriarchal blessing. He tells about two keys:  1. the “spirit of prophecy” and 2. the “words of the prophets.” In Revelation 19:10 an angel says that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”This is why I always suggest that you start each study session with a prayer, inviting the spirit or the Holy Ghost to be with you.

The Second Key is equally important. It is understanding the things of the prophets. We must be taught somewhat in the manner of the things of the Jews or the ways the Jews used words. In Hebrew the word ‘things’ (dĕbãrîm) also means ‘words’ (dĕbãrîm). Thus the things spoken of by Nephi regarding the things of the Jews were really the words of the Jews/prophets.

 So, here we are not going to become experts in the literary devices employed by the prophets during a time where memorization and recitation were the most used methods of communicating the scriptures. However, knowing that the prophets had an analytical mind-set can be of value to us as we study our blessings. I may talk more about these things in future blogs as I focus on my Isaiah studies.

Below are some ways that have helped me to better understand the words and phrases that the spirit whispers to me are important for this particular time in life.

MY SUGGESTION:   Use the study tools in our scriptures.

1. Look up a word in the Bible Dictionary

2. Look up the word in the Topical Guide and see how it is used within different scriptures. Take notice to look in the footnotes for each scripture for other helpful tips:

GR:   An alternate translation from the Greek

HEB: An alternate translation from the Hebrew

IE:     An explanation of idioms and difficult constructions

OR:   Signifies that alternate words follow to clarify the meaning of archaic expressions.

3. I find that color coding these in the footnotes leads me into a wonder "scripture chase" or series of scriptures that help me to better understand a specific word or phrase. I've shown the colors in bold above that I've chosen to footnote them in my scriptures. (The IE is really Yellow but it didn't show up here well)

Use other study tools such as books, talks, (both online at LDS.org) or use worldly tools such as:

1. Look up the word in a regular or collegiate dictionary

2. Look up the word online, or Google it and discover what the world thinks.

Over the years, this has increased my understanding of words that I thought I knew and really didn’t know at all.

QUOTE:

Although not about Patriarchal blessings I found Elder Richard G. Scott’s Talk on ““The Power of Scripture” Ensign, Nov 2011 page 6-8 especially uplifting because he emphasizes the words of the prophets.

            “Throughout the ages, Father in Heaven has inspired select men and women to find, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, solutions to life’s most perplexing problems.” He continues, “He has inspired those authorized servants to record those solutions as a type of handbook for those of His children who have faith in His plan of happiness and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”

            “Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth. We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained in standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures.”

            “Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”

            “Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.

            “Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs.”

            “I have found precious truths in the pages of the Old Testament that are key ingredients to the platform of truth that guides my life and acts as a resource when I try to share a gospel message with others.”

            However, Elder Scott powerfully concludes with his testimony of the Book of Mormon,  “I testify with my soul that it is true, that it was prepared for the blessing of the House of Israel, and all of its component parts spread throughout the world. All who will study its message in humility, in faith believing in Jesus Christ, will know of its truthfulness and will find a treasure to lead them to greater happiness, peace, and attainment in this life.”