Meaningful Scripture Study

The steps

Go at your own pace. Read each scripture in context if you can, and come back to any step as often as you need.

1. 1

   Step 1: Set a regular time

   Choose a time and place you can keep most days. Consistency matters more than length.

   Scripture

   • “thou shalt meditate therein day and night”

   Reflect

   What time of day am I most awake and least rushed?

   Try this

   Put a daily scripture time on your calendar for the next week.

   Write your response

   Put a daily scripture time on your calendar for the next week.

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2. 2

   Step 2: Pray before you read

   Ask Heavenly Father to help you understand and to show you what you need today.

   Scripture

   • “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

   Reflect

   What do I hope to receive from today's study?

   Try this

   Begin your next study with a short prayer asking for one specific kind of help.

   Write your response

   Begin your next study with a short prayer asking for one specific kind of help.

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3. 3

   Step 3: Read a small portion slowly

   Choose a few verses or one short chapter. Read slowly, maybe twice. Notice words or phrases that stand out.

   Scripture

   • “here a little, and there a little”

   Reflect

   Which word or phrase caught my attention, and why?

   Try this

   Read one passage twice today and underline or highlight one phrase in My Study.

   Write your response

   Read one passage twice today and underline or highlight one phrase in [My Study](/my-study).

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4. 4

   Step 4: Ask questions and search

   Ask who, what, why, and what it means for you. Look up cross-references, read the verses around it, or search a word to see where else it appears.

   Scripture

   • “Search the scriptures”

   • Acts 17:11

   Reflect

   What's one question this passage raises for me?

   Try this

   Use Search & Ask AI to find other verses with the same key word.

   Write your response

   Use [Search & Ask AI](/scripture/study) to find other verses with the same key word.

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5. 5

   Step 5: Liken it to your life

   Ask how the passage applies to your situation today. Put yourself in the story.

   Scripture

   • 1 Nephi 19:23
   • Romans 15:4

   Reflect

   If this passage were written to me today, what would it be saying?

   Try this

   Rewrite one verse in your own words as if it were a personal message to you.

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   Rewrite one verse in your own words as if it were a personal message to you.

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6. 6

   Step 6: Write down impressions

   Keep a study journal or use reflections in My Study. Write what you learned and felt. Writing helps you remember and notice patterns over time.

   Scripture

   • “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables”

   Reflect

   What thought or feeling do I want to remember from today?

   Try this

   Write at least one sentence after each study session this week.

   Write your response

   Write at least one sentence after each study session this week.

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7. 7

   Step 7: Act on what you learn

   Choose one small way to live what you read today. Scripture study changes us most when we act on it.

   Scripture

   • “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

   Reflect

   What's one thing I could do differently today because of what I read?

   Try this

   Pick one small action from your study and do it before the day ends.

   Write your response

   Pick one small action from your study and do it before the day ends.

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