Let's Talk About Jesus Christ For a Moment A scripture study skill that my mission president taught is to deeply contemplate one or more verses for at least a half hour. Meditate and ponder on them, look up footnotes, notice keywords, talk to heaven about them, allow yourself to really visualize and feel the words written. He did this by forming groups of 8 missionaries and giving us some unremarkable verse out of the New Testament and said, "let's talk about this verse for at least half an hour." Of course I was inwardly incredulous - but that simple verse opened up and filled all our minds with excellent thoughts, insights and new understanding. We filled the half-hour easily. Then the mission president said, “go study the scriptures like this on your own.” Divine Code The scriptures are coded to funnel revelation and notable spiritual experiences straight to you. It's the best kept secret. We have more than 40,000+ verses designed to open doors of new insight and understanding—even the Old Testament. (Some of my most extraordinary spiritual experiences have come from diving into the Old Testament. Don't underestimate it. Every canon has its character and specialty.) The slow-read habit has blessed me immeasurably my whole adult life. The following verses are so magnanimous and deep, they fill the soul and penetrate every crevice. I could spend hours on these - especially outdoors in nature. I invite all onlookers to have wonderful revelatory experiences with Christ and with His Words and Truth. Consider: Doctrine and Covenants 19 1 I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. [His resume fills my heart - what an introduction!] 2 I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself— [Something tells me we have a similar belonging and a similar mission, to align our wills and subdue all things.] 3 Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done. (Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-3) [All power and all judgment is given to Christ. We will be judged by our actual works and deeds - not our pretty words.] The message to me today, first and foremost - I need to strive higher and harder—and I will experience no regrets for any sacrifice made to pursue this. 🔥🔥🔥 “I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life.” (President Nelson, Hope of Israel - June 2018)