Author: Scott Taylor

Three Methods of Scripture Study
Once we have found the path toward God (become a member of the church) it becomes the implicit objective of every member to learn, and ultimately live, all that the Prophets and scriptures have taught, before we can expect to venture on the path to God. It is paramount we study the scriptures because they are, in some respects, our ‘Liahona’ in life. Alma teaches “....Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.” (Alma 13:20). He later postulates this point to his son when he stated, “…some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing….” (Alma 41:1). Although we are taught and instructed time and time again to study the scriptures, few seem to grasp what is the true intent of the phrase ‘study the scriptures’. There are primarily three levels of study engaged in by those so inclined:
1- To say we have read them. This level of study will offer familiarity with the text and give some new philosophical cognition, but will limit your capacity to absorb the greater wisdom and enlightenment found within.
2- To prove our own beliefs. The weakness of many studious individuals is that, as they learn, they tend to seek only to prove their current beliefs. They therefore inadvertently search only for those points of scripture which give evidence and strength to their position or perceived notions of what the gospel means, or who God is and what he expects of man. In this attitude they miss much of what the Prophets have to offer. This is why there are now over 2000 Christian religions in the world. A person reads a few verses of scripture, discovers something new and thinks he has rediscovered God or his message. He then begins to promulgate his findings on uneducated and unsuspecting neophytes, deceiving them into becoming his disciples. Even among members we have differing beliefs and opinions though the scriptures teach us to have a unity of the faith. We don't realize we have closed our minds and forgot that, as it states in the 13th article of faith, ‘we believe all things’. We are then reduced to defending what we currently believe or the teachings of others we respect, instead of looking for the further light and knowledge that could be ours.
3- To understand all of God's will and do it. 2 Nephi 28:27 “Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!" Most of Joseph Smiths revelations came because something was missing or he read something in the scriptures that didn’t fit with what he had been taught throughout his life or was generally accepted by the learned ecclesiastical minds of his time. For instance:
“Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines— 
“Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter. 
“Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. 
“For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.” D&C 132:1-4
Joseph wanted answers to questions of things that didn’t fit within his perceived notions (“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” Proverbs 27:7) and therefore he (we) has (have) received many glorious doctrines and greater enlightenment. Would it not then be our vantage to follow his lead and study as he studied? He sought to know and understand all of God’s words and works, and not dismiss those things that seemed harsh, wrong, inconvenient or didn’t fit within his perspective of the gospel? (“For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” (2 Nephi 28:30). Is it time yet that we should cry unto the Lord as the Psalmist? “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalms 119:18). If we can accept hard to understand principles or doctrines, as nothing more than ‘potentially valid’, then we could seek divine intervention for further explanation (after we have done all we can to understand with the tools and resources at our disposal). 
An anecdote to consider: Though “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16), not all of the written word is necessarily scripture or inspired—sometimes prophets were giving their own opinions and it takes the Spirit to help us understand what is true and what is opinion or conjecture: 
“Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.” Alma 40:20
“But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.” 1 Corinthians 7:12
“Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.” 1 Corinthians 7:25
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” 1 John 2:18
Remember too, when Nephi saw the vision of the tree of life; he was given further understanding than that which his father received; and said of his father’s vision: “And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.” (1 Nephi 15:27). So it may be with all visions; the prophets who received those visions may have missed something; and like Nephi who noticed that which his father missed and received a greater understanding, so we could also see the same visions and find things others missed; and we may be called upon to reveal these points to others (Alma 26:22).