Randomly Accessing Marked Scriptures Can Quickly Bring Strong Feelings from the Spirit
I have marked copies of The Book of Mormon in a unique way for years. It started because I found many people would not be able to, or feel a need to set aside time to read a book (any book) of 500+ pages. Others simply don’t like to read. My intent for marking the copies gives many having time constraints or other reasons a feel for the book’s contents by reading passages representing themes.
The power of the markings, as a collection, came to me in January of 2016. Having just finished marking another copy, I randomly looked at the scriptures I had just marked. Page edges are marked for easy access, but I discovered a better reason: I was absolutely astounded at the power of the Spirit that came while randomly accessing scriptures with page edge markings. I suspect many others have known this blessing for a while, because when I shared my ‘new to me’ discovery with others having these marked copies, (some of them non-members) they said things like: “I’ve known that for a while; I use the page edge marks randomly whenever I feel a need to quickly draw closer to Jesus Christ.” Should you choose to try this, you will find it works best following a few some simple suggestions:
Please pray before and after you read – that the Lord will open your mind to true instruction from Him and help you know the truth of the book and its message, a small price to pay for the spiritual light and peace available and the difference it can make in your life… in any life!
Read and study with an honest approach each time. Sincerely, specifically ask the Lord for His help and become persistent so He knows you are serious (praying in this way with faith, brings specific answers).The last marked scripture, Moroni 10:3-5, speaks of a ‘sincere heart and real intent’. The more sincere and vulnerable your heart (leaving behind habits of disbelief or prejudice) and the stronger your intent (to follow through with what the Lord will then instruct you to do) the more likely you are to receive a clear answer. Consider also praying that the adversary will have no power to interrupt your study, for he surely will in ANY way he can!
Useful ideas that make this opportunity even better follow at the end of the blue links below, but for now, just start with prayer and choose links randomly…
1. 1 Nephi 3: 6-7,19-21/ page#6 2. 1 Nephi 15:1-11, 21-25/page 30 3. 1 Nephi 18:14-16/p42
For each numbered reference with commas, please scroll down the page, to see all highlighted verses.
4. 1 Nephi 19:23/p46 5. 2 Nephi 2:11-16, 25-30/p57 6. 2 Nephi 9:20-26/p74
7. 2 Nephi 25:26/p100 8. 2 Nephi 28:7-9/p107 9. 2 Nephi 31:3-10, 19-21/p113
10. 2 Nephi 32:3-9 through 11. Jacob 2:18-19/p120 12. Jacob 4:4-13/p124 2 Nephi 33:1-7/p115
13. Mosiah 2:16-24/p148 14. Mosiah 3:16-19/153 15. Mosiah 15: 11-12/p176
16. Mosiah 27: 25-28/p201 17. Alma 7:11-12/225 18. Alma 7:21-27/p226
19. Alma 12: 9-13/p238 20. Alma 32:21-43/p289 – 91 21. Alma 34: 32-39/p295
22. Alma 36:3, 30/p298 23. Alma 37:34-37/p303 24. Alma 38:1-15/p304
25. Alma 41:10-15/p310 26. Helaman 5:12/p378 27. Helaman 13:13-17/p398
28. 3 Nephi 11: 1-17, 28-33/p427-430 29. 3 Nephi 27:33/p460 30. Ether 4:11-19/p495
31. Ether 12:6, 11-12, 27/p509 32. Moroni 7:10-23/p521 33. Moroni 7:10-23/p521
34. Moroni 8:10-15/p525 35. Moroni 10:3-5/p529
I, like many, know this work is true and from a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ… because when fifteen years old I applied the promise in Moroni 10:3-5. There have been lots of rough spots in my life and things I have done (and not done) that could have happened differently, in accordance with His will. I have fallen short many times… and continue to do so, but I keep on the path and it has made all the difference. Jesus Christ has been there for me every day in very real, tangible ways. I know Him to be my Savior and Redeemer…in His holy name, the name of Jesus Christ… amen. Kent Marble
Should you want to talk with someone regarding any of your questions or just to visit about what you have just seen / read, click ‘Chat on line‘ or phone 1-888-537-6600.
Helpful suggestions:
- If particular verses give you an ‘ah ha’ feeling / should you feel the Spirit speaking to you, consider reading the whole chapter for further insight and context. Perhaps insert a place marker for another time… rich rewards come when we deepen our study.
- A missing ‘element’, perhaps, when doing this electronically… I love the feel of having scriptures in my hands. I more readily feel the Spirit while turning pages of ‘holy writ’ and marking verses that cause me personal reflection and resolve. We may tend to ‘blow on past’ personal counsel from the Spirit with electronic formats that typically invite speedy analysis.
- If you are completely honest / vulnerable in your heart with this, you won’t be disappointed, whatever the Lord tells you.
More about Prayer, from the LDS Bible Dictionary: “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.
There are many passages in the New Testament that teach the duty of prayer (Matt. 7:7; 26:41; Luke 18:1; 21:36; Eph. 6:18; Philip. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:17, 25; 1 Tim. 2:1, 8). Christians are taught to pray in Christ’s name (John 14:13–14; 15:7, 16; 16:23–24). We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ—when His words abide in us (John 15:7). We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart.”
