The Scripture Study Project

Why should I read the Book of Mormon? Did you know the Book of Mormon has a thesis statement? And did you know you can have one as you read? Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

There are no shortage of resources to help you study the Book of Mormon. With all of those voices, it can sometimes be overwhelming to know just exactly where, when, how often, and with what tools you should be reading. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

Who wrote the Book of Mormon? Want a fresh perspective as you read the Book of Mormon? Try meeting the four Book of Mormon evangelists--the primary writers behind the stories and sermons and whose personal, human, testimony touches so many hearts. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

Is it okay to just read the Book of Mormon? And if so, how do I do it? Is there something I should be looking for? Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

There are some important questions we can ask as we begin our study of the Book of Mormon (and/or repeatedly during our study throughout the year) that can make all the difference in what we are able to draw from it. In this miniseries we'll ask those questions, seek for some answers, and share some ideas that could empower a study of this sacred text. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

Why should I trust imperfect Church leaders? This question, in one form or another, comes up frequently among latter-day saints or their friends because following living apostles, prophets, and other leaders is so central to our theology and practice. Well, it's a great question to kick off your study off the Acts of the Apostles and this episode should give you a jumpstart.   Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

What did Peter do with himself after his denial? What did the women at the tomb do with the worry or the fear they felt? What did Cleopas do with his sadness? What did Thomas do with his doubts? What did Jesus do with his feeling of being forsaken? Studying the end of the Savior's mortal ministry provides ample evidence of how difficult continuing faith was for those closest to the Savior, and, therefore, how difficult it can be for us. This month we ask the question, "What do I do when I don't feel anything?" Study along with us as we wrestle with all those emotions and see what we can learn from those who have gone before. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

We use the phrase "I know" in many settings and situations in our description of our faith. In this episode we ask if saying "I know" is a requirement and what might come before and after that statement that could help us have a more expanded relationship with truth and come to better "know" the Savior Himself. Show Notes: For past episodes on the Come Follow Me blocks, click below Matt 8-9 / Mark 2-5 - Miracles Matt 16-17 / Mark 8-9 / Luke 9 - Testimony Alma 31-32 - The Faith Experiment Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

We are back with a new season of The Scripture Study Project with an all new approach. This season we are asking questions--sometimes hard, often personal, always important--that have everything to do with our relationship with God and then studying scriptures in search of truth and understanding. This episode we start with our first question of the season drawn from Jesus' own word: do I really have to be "perfect"? The answer, and a study of that answer, takes us from the sermon on the mount to the calling of apostles to our own personal wrestles with perfection. Show Notes: Russel M. Nelson, "Perfection Pending" Jeffrey R. Holland, "Be Ye Therefore Perfect--Eventually" For past episodes on the Come Follow Me blocks, click below John 2-4 Matt 5, Luke 6 Matt 6-7 Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

Mirriam-Webster's dictionary defines the word Christian as "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ." Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints certainly profess belief in Christ, and yet many, especially some vocal in the wider Christian world, refuse to grant them/us the title "Christian". In this episode we explore both the why nots and, more importantly, begin a study of the whys behind our Christianity. Show Notes: Christ’s Crucifixion: Reclamation of the Cross | Religious Studies Center (byu.edu) Lifted Up upon the Cross (churchofjesuschrist.org) Three Theological Questions About Christianity, Orthodoxy, and the LDS Church | David French (patheos.com) Is Mormonism Christian? - BYU Studies For past episodes on the Come Follow Me blocks, click below https://scripturestudyproject.podbean.com/e/matt-14-15-mark-6-7-john-5-6-fear/ https://scripturestudyproject.podbean.com/e/matt-16-17-mark-8-9-luke-9-testimony/ https://scripturestudyproject.podbean.com/e/easter-1555217422/ https://scripturestudyproject.podbean.com/e/matt-18-luke-10-love/ https://scripturestudyproject.podbean.com/e/john-7-10-shepherd/  Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: "Memories Replaced" by Josh Woodward

Malachi was a messenger, and he prophesied of other messengers to come. Of course John the Baptist stands out as one primary fulfiller of prophesy; but all of us in some small way can be messengers who prepare the way of the Lord. This episode, our final this season, and our final weekly episode of our podcast, we reflect on five years of podcasting and the "messages" we have learned, loved, and hoped to share with you.   Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

My grandfather was an architect. I remember visiting him in his office and seeing the tools laid out on his basement drafting board and being captivated by the idea that someone could plan such large buildings. As I've grown older I often think of similarities between designing and drafting a building and our efforts to conscientiously plan and live a life. In this episode we study the words of two prophets--Haggai and Zechariah--focused on the reconstruction of the temple at Jerusalem and, concurrently, the reconstruction of the Israelites life with the Lord. Study along and consider how you can better build your life this next year. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen  

At the end of the book of Zephaniah, the prophet expresses that in the last days, "the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee". Imagine for a moment: what if we took that verse literally and pictured arriving home today from work or school or shopping to find Him in our living room. What would you think and feel if He were there? Would there be relief or reservation? Would there be excitement or anxiety? Would you rush to meet him or would you want  to rush to complete some procrastinated act of kindness? Would you be ready or wish you had more time to repent? This week we study Nahum through Zephaniah and focus on three ideas that can help us better prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

The story of Jonah is a masterpiece of scriptural story that weaves together a very human and relatable character in Jonah with a compelling illustration of the true character of the Lord interlaced with suspense and surprise. It may be one of the best books in our recent study to liken to ourselves. In this week's study we do just that and ask the question, "What am I running away from?" Show Notes: Steven J. Lund, "Flashes of Light" Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

I remember years ago watching an episode of a hidden camera tv show where actors acted out a scene where one man, dressed as someone living on the streets, was given money by other only to have that money stolen by some mocking teenagers. The episode focused on the actions of the surrounding people who did know they were watching and actor portrayal, to see if they would intervene, comfort the victim, or just walk on. In this sort of modern day reenactment of the good Samaritan, although some did stop to help, it was surprising to the hosts of the show how many people walked by without any action. If Obadiah were to describe it he might say they "stood on the other side" or "looked on" when someone was hurt. In this episode we study two chastisements Amos and Obadiah give related to our relationship with God and His children that might be painfully relevant to us today. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

Recently I heard a description of some of the reasons why members of the Church have struggled or are struggling with their faith. For a small group, they struggle because they no longer believe the Church is true. For a larger group, they struggle because they do not believe the Church is good. However, for the largest group they struggle because they do not feel like they belong in the Church. In our study this week we read two prophets speaking to people who may be felt this same lack of belonging and we identify both truths about the Lord and possible applications for us that help heal that hurt. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

There's a story told almost 100 years ago in a Church magazine about a young man named Creed Haymond who ran track for his college. The night before a meet his coach offered the team alcohol to help them relax for the next day's races. Creed refused, multiple times, and to the chagrin of his coach and teammates. The end of the story is powerful (and you can read it if you click the link in our show notes), but it's actually the middle of the story itself that interests us this week. In this episode we study the great story of Daniel, Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah and ask the question: how can I live in the modern world and be both true to my beliefs and also harmonious with others? Show Notes: Creed Haymond story Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

Hebrew prophets were valued because of their ability to foresee coming events and, then, warn people in the present. However, the true test of this foresight is, of course, whether or not these visions materialize. Today we study some of the prophet Ezekiel's most far-reaching declarations and see clear fulfillment in our own day. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen

I used to play a game with my seminary students called "Boo Speak" where I would invite a student to leave the room and then, with the students left in the room, pick a word that we would try and eliminate from that student's vocabulary by sheer peer pressure. Once we had decided on a word we would invite that student back in the room. I would have a conversation with the student and whenever he would say the word we would all say "boo" and/or provide other negative feedback. It was fascinating to watch as some students really did stop using the chosen word where other students became more adamant about using it. This week we finish our study of Jeremiah the prophet who was, for lack of a better phrase, "boo-ed" for his message and ministry by the very people he was trying to save, and ask ourselves what can we learn from a "boo-ed" prophet? Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen  

I love art museums, and in recent years, I've had multiple chances to attend a few and one thing I've noticed, repeatedly, is the vast breadth of color and emotion represented in the displayed art. Incredible paintings of bright flower gardens on warm days are balanced by emotional paintings of dark caverns or shrouded faces. I've come to appreciate the tug on my emotions as I feel, often in the same room, enlightened and pained, lifted by beauty and confronted with ugliness. In our study this week we figuratively walk through the Art Gallery of Jeremiah and feel many of those same emotions as we search for truths that can sustain us in moments of needed perseverance. Show Notes: Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook Music: by Steve Oxen