The Scripture Study Project

Sections 14-17 - Witness

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 ponder your own witness and where the Lord would have you share it.
Show Notes:
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "What is Truth?" BYU Devotional, July 2013.
James E. Faust, "A New Aristocracy," October 1974.
Boyd K. Packer, "Inspiring Music--Worthy Thoughts," October 1973.
Lizzy Jensen (click link in bio to access tools)
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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

Sections 12-13 / JSH 1:66-75 - Fellow

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 episode we get a bit personal and focus on the truths we would help our own young daughter understand as she seeks for her own answers to these important questions.
Show Notes:
Linda K. Burton, "Priesthood Power--Available to All," Ensign, June 2014.
Dallin H. Oaks, "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood," April 2014.
The Priesthood Restored: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast.
Barbara Morgan Gardner, "How Women (and Men) Misunderstand the Priesthood + What We Can Do About It," All In Podcast.
Victor L. Brown, "The Vision of the Aaronic Priesthood," October 1975.
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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

Sections 10-11 - Desire

"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 of changing our own hearts.
Show Notes:
Dallin H. Oaks, "Desire," April 2011.
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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

Sections 6-9 - Revelation

"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 Space," October 1972.
Thomas S. Monson, "Faith of a Child," October 1975.
Julie B. Beck, “And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit," April 2010.
Russel M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives," April 2018.
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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

Sections 3-5 - Embark

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 important (but difficult) questions: What is frustrating me from fulfilling the work God has given me? And what can I do to better qualify for the Lord's power as I labor with Him?
Show Notes:
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "God Will Do Something Unimaginable," October 2020.
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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

History 27-65 / Section 2 - Work

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) entail.
Show Notes:
Doctrine & Covenants study resources
Spencer W. Kimball, "What Do We Hear?" April 1974
Marion G. Romney, "Church Welfare--Some Fundamentals," October 1973
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Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward

History 1-26 - Learn

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, asking serious questions and looking to heaven for serious answers. This week we look at Joseph's experience and ask ourselves, "What will I do to learn God's truth for myself?"
 
Show Notes:
Doctrine & Covenants study resources
Visit our website scripturestudyproject.com or connect to us on Instagram or Facebook
Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward
 

Section 1 - Hearken

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 advocate for significant social changes that would spawn a civil war and foreshadow multiple world wars. Certainly much of this and more was what the Lord meant when He stated that He knew of the "calamities" that would be coming.
After our very own year of calamity, also certainly foreknown by the Lord, we may find ourselves feeling very much like our early Church sisters and brothers--filled with questions, reeling from problems, and wrestling to find faith and truth in trying times. Into all of this the Lord spoke from heaven, gave instructions, and began an ongoing period of restoration that brought light and life to the world. 
As we begin our study of the Doctrine & Covenants this year we desperately desire the Lord continue that great work of restoration in our own lives. He commands all who read this book to "hearken" to His voice. The question for each of us, then, is this: what do I want to hear from the Lord as I study this year?
Show Notes:
Doctrine & Covenants study resources
Visit our website scripturestudyproject.com or connect to us on Instagram or Facebook
Music: “Do Not Go Gentle” by Josh Woodward