Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelPAGuy
What would I have to gain out of reading the Book Of Mormon? When I did read it I never got anything out of it. I read, and prayed but yet never felt that "spirit".
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This book can help you understand "why" you never got anything out of your experience with reading the Book of Mormon.
Focus on the first 3 or 4 chapters:
Amazon.com: The Holy Secret: James L. Ferrell: Books
Scriptures serve no real useful purpose if we just read the words, and that is all we do.
The scriptures are not a one-way monologue, with God speaking and us listening!!!
They are far more than that!
They are given with the intent to establish a DIALOGUE. A "two-way conversation" between ourselves and the Lord!
As we read the scriptures, we are to constantly be asking ourselves and asking the Lord QUESTIONS!!!!
We are to ask WHY WHY WHY?
Why is this phrased the way it was?
Why was this word chosen?
What patterns do I see emerging?
How does this bring me closer to God?
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Something I have begun doing each morning is what I call "counseling with the Lord in writing."
I learned about this technique in a book I read titled "Clean Hands, Pure Heart" by Phil Harrison.
Basically, what you do is keep a journal. Instead of praying vocally, you pray "on paper". You write-out your prayer and then record the Lord's response to you in writing as well. I write the Lord's response back to me in ALL CAPS so as to distinguish what He says from what comes from "me."
I do the same thing for my scripture study. I write-out the verse, and I write down what I feel the Lord is saying to me about a particular phrase. I stop and I write His words to me, right in the middle of the verse oftentimes.
Here is an example from a recent journal entry of mine:
Tuesday, 11 March, 2008
Dear Jesus,
Good morning
GOOD MORNING, TOM
LET'S CAPTURE FROM THE D&C
Hearken, O ye people of my church, [HEARKEN, TOM] saith the voice [MY VOICE THAT YOU FEEL INSIDE OF YOU, MY VOICE THAT YOU FEEL MORE THAN AUDIBLY HEAR] of him who dwells on high, [READ THIS AS MY INVITATION TO YOU TO JOIN ME, TO COME TO WHERE I AM!] and whose eyes are upon all men; [IN MY CAPACITY AS YOUR GOD I MONITOR ALL THAT ALL THAT YOU DO, SO THAT A MERCIFUL JUDGEMENT MAY BE WROUGHT UPON YOU AT THE LAST DAY] yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people [HEARKEN, TOM] from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.
Why do you say "listen together," instead of just "listen"?
IT DENOTES MORE OF A GLOBAL LISTEN. I AM INVITING THE WHOLE WORLD TO LISTEN.
LET'S CONTINUE =)
For verily the voice of the Lord [STILL, SMALL, QUIET, PEACEFUL] is unto all men, [IS UNTO YOU, TOM] and there is none to escape; [THE WORD ESCAPE HERE REFERS TO THE FACT THAT THE LIGHT OF CHRIST FILLS THE IMMENSITY OF SPACE, IT IS IN AND THROUGH ALL THINGS - THERE IS NONE TO ESCAPE] and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
"EYES SEEING" - SEEING MY HAND IN YOUR LIFE
"EARS HEARING" - HEARING MY VOICE"HEARTS PENETRATED" - THINK BROKEN HEART AND CONTRITE SPIRIT -- THE CONVERSION PROCESS.
I need to go =/
I KNOW.
I LOVE YOU, TOM.
AND I HAVE LOVED SPEAKING WITH YOU THIS MORNING. =)
NOW GO. =)
STAY CLOSE TO ME TODAY. =)
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The above is not a joke or a gimmick. It is an example of my sincere desire to connect with my Jesus, and to record what I feel are His words to me. I try not to doubt or worry that I am just "making all of this up." I just try to have faith in His words and in what I feel.
This is how you can "get more out of" your Book of Mormon reading the next time you do so.
This process has blessed my life significantly! I feel closer to Jesus now than I have the previous 38 years of my life -- no question about that.
It takes time and patience. Be patient with this method of keeping a journal. It will bear precious fruit, I promise!