Does it ever feel overwhelming when you think about everything you should do to study the gospel? There’s studying Come Follow Me, reading the Book of Mormon daily, studying general conference talks, having family scripture study and prayer, having personal scripture study and prayer, and so much more! How are you supposed to fit it all in? Well, that’s where this blog post comes in. I’d love to share with you how I plan to study the gospel in 2023.
Allow me to insert a disclaimer. I am in no way trying to tell you how you should study the gospel. Every family is different, and every person has unique circumstances. But I also know that it really helps to see how other people who value gospel study apply it to their own life. My family and I have tried several methods over the years, and this is just one way that I plan to take what has worked for us, throw out what hasn’t, and put it all together for (hopefully) a successful new year.
Come Follow Me
I have tried so many things over the last few years, but one simple thing that has worked for my family is to set up notifications in the Gospel Library to alert us of the daily Come Follow Me scripture and thought. HERE is a video to show you how to do it. Then at dinnertime, we discuss them with each other. I am also really excited to start using the One Minute Scripture Study book. Both of these are great options when you have a busy family.
Book of Mormon
Did you know that we’ve been asked to read the Book of Mormon daily – in addition to Come Follow Me? Many people are surprised to learn that. That’s why I personally keep my Come Follow Me study so simple. I have found power in reading from the Book of Mormon daily and can personally testify of the knowledge, comfort, and guidance in my life when I read it. I plan to take Elder Rasband’s invitation from the October 2022 general conference and highlight ways it points to Christ and teaches the principles and doctrine of the gospel. But there are so many other ways to read it. HERE are some other ideas.
As for studying the Book of Mormon as a family… this is where I am lacking. Send help. In years past we have read it in the morning before school, at night before bed, and even tried it right before we eat dinner. It never lasts. And let me tell you that I do notice a little (sometimes a lot) of discontent in our family when we aren’t reading as a family. So, this next year I plan to at least read one verse with each child every day. Even if we are not all together. How do you read the Book of Mormon as a family?
General Conference
If you are not studying the most recent general conference talks, I highly recommend it! My husband listens to them on his commute and gets through all of them several times in 6 months. I study them with a good friend of mine. We take two talks a week and discuss them over Marco Polo. I love learning different insights and sharing my thoughts. I always learn a lot.
Personal and Family Prayer
Prayer is so personal, but again, I’m just sharing what works for me. Lately, I have been praying in the shower. Yep. And it is awesome. Ever heard of habit stacking? I shower every day, therefore I pray every day. It’s peaceful. I’m alone. It just works. Something else I have started doing is saying mini prayers anytime I think of it. If I tell someone I will pray for them, I do it in that moment. If I think to myself how beautiful a sunset is, I thank God for it in that moment.
We do family prayer whenever we do family scripture study. But that hasn’t been as often as I’d like. But I think praying as a family at every meal can also be powerful. Make the most of it and pray often. That’s my goal for this next year.
If I could leave you with one word of advice, it would be to not get discouraged when your gospel study – personal or as a family – doesn’t look the way you had planned. Families change, schedules change, and life happens. And that’s okay! Change things up if you have to, just don’t give up on studying the gospel every day!
If you want to get more out of your scripture study, be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to Studying the Scriptures. This guide includes even more unique methods to studying your scriptures, bookmarks, charts, and schedules, and inspiration for creating a scripture study routine and motivation for actually getting it done!
You got this!
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One Response
Great tips Becky! I especially agree to keep the Cone Follow me study simple and still take time to study the Book of Mormon. It’s been such a blessing to have shifted my study that way…
Also we listen to the Book of Mormon on the way to school, sports or even church. The car has proven the best place to get my kids engaged with it for those free minutes in the car…