Cultural Differences

Understand the cultural and language differences between our nation and Israel.

This last skill is a huge key to unlocking most scriptures especially in deciphering the words of prophets such as Isaiah and John the Revelator. I ran into this while reading in the New Testament institute manual section (54-7), and it has single-handedly changed the way I read and interpret scripture. It takes practice and requires other previously discussed skills, especially Use Other Sources, to unlock meaning. For example, other sources can provide the much needed background information for interpreting the symbolism associated with historical people, locations and events.

This concept is understanding the fundamental differences in language. This nation is part of the Western civilization which cultures do not mince words, they say what is meant and describe using very exacting language so there is little flexibility for interpretation. Whereas, the civilization that Israel is a part of, uses language in a more artistic way by using words as symbols to describe what is being talked about like an artist painting a picture. Words of comparison and similarities are used to describe what is meant instead of using precise descriptive language. The language focuses on the end results or feelings and not on the means of getting there. This allows for greater flexibility in describing a concept—it allows for greater artistic and poetic freedom. Speakers or writers would use commonly known concepts to describe ideas. Known people, places, political or historical events may be used to represent other concepts. Human emotion may be projected on inanimate objects or nature may be projected on human qualities. Stories are often used to illustrate life lessons. Parallels drawn between the ages. Master craftsmen such as Christ could use the language to bury hidden treasures of knowledge because of this flexibility and freedom. The more knowledgeable a reader is on the subject of the analogy the more they would obtain from it.

I feel like I do not quite have the vocabulary to describe exactly what I mean. But, I have found that the more I practice by looking for underlying symbolism rather than just taking things for face value, the more I see the beauty of the Hebrew language. I have come to love the words of the scriptures especially Isaiah.

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof. Isaiah 48

And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me. Isaiah 49

Write It Down

Write down your thoughts, comments, feelings and what you learned.

The Lord reveals amazing truths and unfolds wonderful mysteries by studying the scriptures that will bring clarity to the journey of life. Unfortunately, those feelings and impressions fade and the details filter from the mind as time passes. However, writing down in a scripture journal the thoughts and feelings of the heart will help retain a remembrance of those experiences. Capturing the exact thoughts and feelings may be difficult but it is worth it. Even if they are not perfectly captured, it will be enough to jog the memory. The beautiful thing is that each time these verses are revisited more light and knowledge will be received building upon the truths previously received through revelation instead of starting over each time.

The key to scripture journals is organization. It must be organized in such a way that the information can be retrieved again and again. This may be as simple as having each of the standard works split into their own volume sets. Topical study makes things harder to organize but perhaps an index by scriptural reference would be appropriate to make a quick way to access journal entries. I personally love using the Gospel Library in conjunction with mobile devices because it allows me to see my notes side-by-side with the verses referenced. Topical study using journal entries is a little trickier since direct links to journal entries are not currently allowed, but tags can be used to accomplish the same thing.

Listen to the Spirit

Listen to the Spirit and let it guide your study.

This skill will bring balance, temperance and focus to Time, Effort and Patience. The scriptures are so full of gospel principles, doctrines, parallels and symbolism on many different levels that one could spend years in a single book in the Bible or the Book of Mormon searching for these rays of truth. The still, small voice of the Spirit can be a guide to finding what the Lord wants revealed right now and can lead to questions being answered and guidance being given.

I try to listen to that quiet inner voice as I read and study. Sometimes it tells me that there is something below the surface that I need to understand. Other times it says there is even more that I can receive if I keep digging. Eventually, I receive that feeling of satisfaction—not that I have received everything possible, but that I have received what I need for now. Although, there are times when I feel that I am not quite ready to receive the greater portion.

Time, Effort and Patience

Take your time, put in your best effort and be patient.

Scripture study is not a race, so do not feel pressured into having to read so many chapters or verses each day. Slow down, take the time, and dig a little deeper below the surface. Be patient; sometimes the good stuff takes time. It may take days of pondering and wrestling with the Lord in prayer.

I have had days where the symbolism and personal application have come immediately and clearly. Most often though, my experience has been that it takes days or weeks of effort. Often, the principle comes into focus slowly over time until it shines brightly. Other times, I read, reread, ponder and study the same verses day after day with no progress then one day it comes like a light bulb turning on illuminating my mind.

I personally like studying first thing in the morning and recommend it to those who are able. Besides being fresher and starting the day right, it allows me to focus my thoughts on the verses I am studying throughout the day. My analytical mind loves working on solving problems in the background.

Using Other Sources Properly

Use your other sources as a support and not to drive spiritual conclusions.

Other sources should be used to bridge the gap in historical, political and cultural knowledge of the time and not as the driving force used to draw both doctrinal and personal conclusions. Once conclusions, parallels, and symbolism have been studied out and drawn then these sources can be used to expand and broaden the knowledge already gained.

I have found from experience that when I turn to others for scriptural interpretation before I have put in the work that it is like putting on spiritual blinders. My focus goes immediately to the interpretation given and makes it hard to focus on any other doctrinal or practical application for the verses or chapter being studied. The good stuff does not come for free.

Use Other Sources

Do not be afraid to use other sources to help you along the way.

Our culture and language is quite different from the Hebrews so it is hard to bridge the gap between them. And, most individuals are not well versed in Hebrew secular history. There are many commentaries, helps and guides available. Find ones that feel right.

I personally use the 1828 Webster's Dictionary, the Bible dictionary, the institute manuals and the Keil and Delitzsch Commentary. Keil and Delitzsch were Lutherans who lived in the 1800s and were champions of the Bible in a time when the people were questioning its divinity. They were Bible scholars, Hebrew language experts, and well versed in Hebrew history and tradition. I must admit that more than half of their commentary goes straight over my head, but what I do get out of it is pure gold. I found them because the Old Testament institute manual kept quoting from their commentary.

John the Revelator | 1 Nephi 14:19-28

I jumped over to Revelation to continue the narration of what Nephi saw and heard. I struggled a bit and probably only scratched the surface in understanding what John wrote about. However, I gained valuable skills along the way—skills that have helped me understand the scriptures better, especially Isaiah.

For the purposes of this blog, I am not going to switch over to Revelation. However, I am going to take a break from my normal routine and write about some of the skills that I have learned from this experience.

First, do not be afraid to jump around in your studies. Let the Lord lead you where you need to be.

In my case, if I had not gone to Revelation then I would have missed out on some super great blessings that have changed my whole perspective and study habits forever. It is the journey not the destination that is important, so let the Lord lead it.

Daily Battle | 1 Nephi 14:13-14

These verses definitely describe our day—the saints of God are few in number and spread throughout the world. I love the imagery here with Satan bolstering his troops against the saints, whether it be people revelling in wickedness or governments pushing their wicked agendas; whereas, the saints of God though few in numbers are protecting themselves with the whole armor of God.

It reminds me of the battles between the Nephites and the Lamanites during Captain Moroni's time. The Lamanites always seemed to outnumber the Nephites but the Nephites had breastplates, helmets and shields to protect themselves and thus were able to withstand the onslaught. The Lamanites wore minimal clothing and attacked out of delight of bloodshed and hatred towards the Nephites. The Nephites had a greater cause—they were fighting for the protection of their wives, children, people and lands. The Nephites who fell or were wounded in battle, were those who were not sufficiently protected by their armor.

It's the same today in our daily battle with Satan. The saints are on the defensive fighting for their families and friends, and those who fall to sin are ones who are not sufficiently protected by the whole armor of God. This brings a new prospective to the war chapters in the Book of Mormon and what they are teaching.

Promises to the Gentiles | 1 Nephi 14:1-3, 7-8

This is one of those hidden gems, a covenant with Christ for our Gentile nation and each of us individually. My part of the two-way promise is to listen to Christ with the intent to obey and to not harden my heart or rebel against Him. The Lord's part is as outlined:

1. Manifest in word. Christ makes Himself known through the scriptures and the words of modern-day prophets. I can learn about His attributes, His role in the plan of salvation, His love and mercy for His people by reading and studying the word of God. The early Gentiles though in darkness had the word of God through the Bible and over the course of time more of His word was revealed through the restoration of His gospel.
2. Manifest in power. Christ reveals Himself through the power of the Holy Ghost. I can feel the confirming power of the Spirit as I learn of Christ. The Holy Ghost is like a seed that produces a beautiful testimony of Christ if I but plant it in my heart and allow it to swell within with its light and truth. Though in darkness, the people of this nation were given manifestations of the Spirit until the fullness of light and knowledge was restored.
3. Manifest in deed. Christ shows Himself through the manifestations of His tender mercies and miracles both small and great. I see Christ's hand in my life more clearly and in every detail as I learn of Him and follow His example. The scriptures teach of the miracles given to man throughout the history of the world. This nation saw the hand of God in its very formation and survival and in its current strength.
4. 
   Take away stumbling blocks. Christ, through the power of the Atonement, lifts men up beyond their natural capacity so they are able to conquer all things. I have felt this power in my own life through the cleansing power of the Savior. I am also blessed daily by the enabling power of Christ as I struggle with fatigue. Days that I just cannot keep going, He is there picking me up and carrying me in His arms. Sometimes, it is at the very breaking point as He allows me to stretch but He is always there for me. The Lord showed Nephi that this nation would have a stumbling block because of man-made corruption of the Bible but He took this away through His revealed word—the Book of Mormon and other scriptures.
5. Numbered among Israel. Christ gathers those that follow Him to His fold and they become His children, His saints, the house of Israel and His church. I am grateful to be a member of Christ's kingdom on earth. I am grateful to be of the house of Israel and to be part of the Abrahamic covenant.
6. Blessed people. Christ brings peace and happiness and gives blessings from on high. I have felt blessings in my life both physically and spiritually. This nation felt the hand of the Lord through protection and continues to feel it through prosperity.
7. No more captivity. Christ breaks the bands of captivity. I am so blessed to live in a nation where I have innate rights and freedom which protects me from bondage. If I turn to Christ with full purpose of heart, He will bring me out of captivity of the devil. This nation was founded on these rights as they fled religious persecution and tyranny.
8. No more confounded. Christ takes men out of the chaos and disorder of this world. I am grateful for the organization of His church and priesthood that I can clearly see the way before me through the confusion and dismay of the world. He provides a way through every obstacle placed in my path that would try to take me down or stop my progression. A marvelous work has come forth through this nation to the whole world and will never be put down or destroyed.
9. The great pit filled by those who dig it. Christ overcomes evil and protects against the traps of the devil. The wicked will reap what they sow. I find peace knowing that whatever Satan throws at me, I can hold to Christ knowing that He will triumph over evil. No matter how wicked the world gets, justice will be served. 

Christ manifests Himself through knowledge (word), testimony (power), and miracles (deeds). He helps us along the way by removing stumbling blocks that keep us from reaching our goal. We are given the blessing of being number among the house of Israel, being brought out of physical and spiritual captivity, and being lifted out of darkness into the light of His truth.

Early American Wars | 1 Nephi 13:16-19

Heavenly Father gathered good men and women out of the nations of the world to this land. He allowed conflict, strife, and war to happen which formed, shaped and prepared America for what it is today. I know God was involved in the creation of this new nation and protected many of the early colonist. My ancestor Captain David Perry, a soldier of the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, spoke of the grace of God in his life, about patriotism, and about how to retain freedom.

“It was the first engagement I had ever seen, and the whistling of balls, and roar of musketry terrified me not a little. It happened that I got behind a white-oak stump, which was so small that I had to lay on my side and stretch myself; the balls striking the ground within a hand's breadth of me every moment and I could hear the men screaming, and see them dying all around me, I lay there some time. A man could not stand erect, without being hit, any more than he could stand out in a shower, without having drops of rain fall upon him; for the balls come by hands full. It was a clear day, a little air stirring. Once in a while the enemy would cease firing a minute or two, to have the smoke clear away, so that they might take better aim. In one of these intervals I sprang from my perilous situation, and gained a stand which I thought would be more secure, behind a large pine log, where several of my comrades had already taken shelter, but the balls came here as thick as ever.”

Heavenly Father allows tragedy and afflictions to happen to help us become more humble and grow in strength and resolve. These early wars were awful because of death due to combat  and disease but it made America a strong nation that was prepared for the restoration of the gospel.

"While lying in camp, our water and provisions were very bad, the men grew sickly, and a great many died of the dysentery but the same Almighty Power that warded off the balls in the day of battle, preserved me from the desolating scourge of disease."

There is no question that this nation received its independence through the grace of God. It was a miracle. This nation was sorely under-trained and outnumbered but became victorious. It is the same with His saints—they may be under-trained, outnumbered, and overwhelmed but they will be victorious through the divine power and intervention of God.

"I think I have the greatest reason to bless and praise the name of the Lord, that he covered my head in the day of battle, and preserved my body from wasting sickness at noon-day."

These quotes were by Captain David Perry from his book Recollections of an Old Soldier. He also tells of a vision of the Revolutionary War that he had while on his sickbed upon a ship heading home after a campaign during the French and Indian War. I'm grateful for his inspiring example of faith and determination. As a nation we stand upon the shoulders of great people, some who died that we would live free.