The Scripture Study Project

Do you like spinning plates? No, neither do we. In this episode we study the things that don't matter to the Lord and, by implication, the things that do matter to Him. As we learn together you might ask yourself the question, "What matters to the Lord in my life right now?" Show Notes: scripturestudyproject.com or connect to us on Instagram or Facebook Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward  

"Welcome to Zion" said no sign nor person when the early Saints entered Missouri. Instead, they found only a few homes and stores, a somewhat irreligious society, and a situation that prompted at least some degree of disappointment. Finding Zion turned out to be the easy part: building Zion that hard. So too it is with us: knowing what we want our lives to look like--what kind of "Zion" we want--i...

Where is Zion? This is the question that drove early members of the Church to seek for revelation in 1831, that motivated them to continue their sojourn across the country, and catalyzed their conversion to and application of restored truths. It is also a question that can similarly motivate us. In this episode we look at lessons learned about Zion before we get to Zion. What do we need to know, f...

Joseph Smith once wrote that all of us "must have the discerning of spirits" if we are to avoid deception and progress in the Kingdom of God. As we seek to follow President Nelson's challenge to "grow into the spirit of revelation", being able to discern the voice of the Spirit is important and difficult. In this episode we study key revelations given to early Church members on they way to both im...

Perhaps the most-asked question in the whole Church is, "How do I recognize when the Spirit is speaking to me?" Early members of the Church had the same question and, as we study sections 46-48 this week, wee study the Lord's revelation of true spiritual manifestations or "gifts" He gives to indicate when the Spirit is present. Ask yourself: what "gifts" have I seen or received that evidence God's...

As Church members started a new life in a new place they had to encounter new and increasing problems. One of those--attacks on their faith from other inhabitants of Kirtland, printed in the newspaper, and spreading almost as quick as the gospel itself--caused many Church members to struggle with their newfound faith. Today, we are no strangers to challenges and criticism, but retaining and embrac...

Am I obeying the Lord's Laws? That's the question at the heart of our study this week. On the way we make our own (very presumptuous and super unofficial) list of ten commandments from the different laws and instructions the Lord gives to the early saints who have just arrived in Kirtland. We list some of the commands that most resonated with us and invite you to study along and make your own list...

"All things are present before me," says the Lord to the early saints. That phrase is mind-blowing especially when we start to consider its implications. However, for us, all things are not present; we have a past that might weigh on us and a future that might worry us. In this episode we study the past, the present, and the future as we ask ourselves what we should put (and keep) in our past, pri...

We all have a voice and, it's evident from the Doctrine & Covenants, that the Lord expects us to use that voice to share the gospel. But how? and where? and why? This week learn from the Lord's instructions to early servants He sends to proclaim the gospel as we examine our own efforts to gather Israel. What is your voice? Study with us this week and begin to find out! Show Notes: Henry B. Eyring,...

For this week we replay an episode that originally aired two years ago: On Sunday he entered Jerusalem, on Monday he cleansed the temple, Tuesday and Wednesday he taught and Thursday through Sunday he suffered, died, and resurrected. What do each of these events symbolize in our relationship with Christ. Study this episode with us today in preparation of a daily worship of the Savior this Passion...

When the topic of the Second Coming of Christ comes up, if we're honest, there also come accompanying feelings of anxiety, worry, and even fear. However, when early Church members discussed the topic it filled them with excitement, hope, and motivation to gather themselves and others to Him. In this episode we study a foundational revelation to the early Church which can help us both shift our emo...

Joseph was corrected by an angel as he sought to procure wine for the sacrament. Hiram Page was corrected as he sought to receive revelation. Oliver Cowdery was corrected as he sought to serve as a Church leader. Correction, it seems, was vital to the growth of the newly-restored Church. As we seek to grow ourselves we might expect (and hopefully accept) correction from the Lord as well. In this e...

We speak often of our "callings" in the Church; however, in the early days of the Restoration women and men weren't called to formally-named assignments in their wards, they were called to fulfill powerful and foundational purposes in the Kingdom of God. Emma Smith, the Knight family, the Smith brothers, and others were called by God to do great things. This week we learn from these callings as we...

The Lord organizes chaos. He did it at the creation of the world. He did it during His mortal ministry in organizing a Church. He did it in the early 1800's when He restored His Church to the earth. And He can do it this year for each of us after the chaos that was 2020. In this episode we study truths about the organization of the Restored Church that can guide our own efforts to seek divine help...

We've all heard more than a few talks, lessons, and sermons on repentance. We know it's important, and we know that we should do it. But sometimes we don't actually know what it is and, more importantly, how to do it. In this episode we study the Lord's directions to early Church members and wrestle them some practical principles that we can actually do something with. The question this week for u...

The Lord called many in the early Restored Church to obtain and share a "witness" of the unfolding work. Today, we are likewise called to witness; however, our testimonies can sometimes be overlaid and overcomplicated with tradition, culture, trite phrases, or misunderstandings. In this episode we study Doctrine & Covenants 14-17 in search of clear truths about witnessing as we invite you to ponde...

To his "fellow servants" Joseph and Oliver the angel John, acting under direction from the Lord, gave power to further the work of the Lord. Similarly today, the Lord gives His "fellow servants"--both women and men--power to accomplish the work He calls them to do. In our study this week we ask the question: what is the power the Lord has given me, and what does He expect me to do with it. In this...

"What do I want?" This seemingly simple question drives our study this week. Joseph, Martin, Oliver, Hyrum, and many others who wanted to be a part of the unfolding restoration were directly quickly to examine their hearts--their wants and desires--and to align them with the Lord's. We know from personal experience that this process is not easy. In this episode we dive into the study and the work...

"What is the Lord revealing to me?" That's the question at the center of our study this week. There is a long prophetic priority placed on each of us developing our ability to receive and recognize what the Lord wants us to know, feel, do, and become. In this episode we share some of those tools and how they work, practically, in our daily life. Show Notes: N. Eldon Tanner, "Warnings from Outer Sp...

Being called to join the work of the Lord can be an incredible experience; however, it also brings with it a natural need for refinement. Joseph Smith, Father Smith, Martin Harris, and so many others of us who have been called to the work need the Lord's truth and testing in order to successfully "embark" in His service. On the podcast this week we study sections 3-5 and ask ourselves the importan...

When Moroni visits Joseph Smith one of the primary messages he delivers (repeatedly) is that, as Joseph explained, "God had work for me to do". That pattern--God giving His children a work to do--extends both backwards and forwards through history. In this episode we ask ourselves the question, "What is the work that God has for me to do?" and study together just what that work will (and won't) en...

Joseph Smith had a swirl of questions in his mind and heart as he headed into the woods in 1820. When he came out of those woods he declared convincedly, "I have learned for myself." What happened between those questions and that answer is one of the most amazing and instructive stories ever recorded in religious history. Just a few days into a brand new year we find ourselves, much like Joseph, a...

In many ways the world in 1831 looked very similar to the world in 2021. A cholera epidemic that had been spreading in other countries finally hit the United States. The country was recovering from an intense season of political strife and social unrest. An economic depression brought many individuals and families to their knees in the late 1830s. Many people had begun and would continue to advoca...

A quick message from us to assure you we're still here (just enjoying the holidays), to tease some exciting changes coming for the podcast (based on your feedback), to gush our excitement for our study of the Doctrine and Covenants (we've been waiting), and to share a brief but powerful New Year's message that seems more fitting now than ever before.  Show Notes: Visit our website scripturestudypr...

In his final words to his modern readers Moroni "exhorts" us to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him". The word "perfect" in scriptures, especially when applied to mortals, rarely means to be faultless; rather, it means to become fully finished, completed, or matured. In our final episode of the Book of Mormon, using Moroni's final words to us, and reflecting on the year soon-to-be behind us...