Some Suggestions for Improving your Personal Scripture Study – Webinar with David Ridges

You know him as the author of the scriptures “Made Easier” series and other books as well. After speaking with David Ridges for just a short time on the phone to set up this webinar, I became very excited about what he was sharing with me. This is a real treat to have him share some of his insights on scripture study.

Below the video are the verses David sent to me as a description of what he would cover in the webinar.

Description:

We will key off of 1 Nephi 19:23, “I did liken all scripture unto us.” The focus will be applying the scripture verses we consider to our own lives, thus increasing the effectiveness of our own scripture study.

I will address helping individuals get more out of their scripture study by taking them on a tour of several specific verses of scripture and, for each one, ask them how that verse (or verses) might apply to them. During the presentation, we will look at several possible applications of specific verses.

Examples:

-D&C 50:7 “Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;”

-John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

-2 Nephi 31:20 “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

-2 Kings 5:14 “Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

-Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

-Mosiah 26:30 “Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”

-1 Nephi 1:1 “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.”

-D&C 121:1 “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?”

-D&C 29:50 “And he that hath no understanding, it remaineth in me to do according as it is written. And now I declare no more unto you at this time. Amen.”

-D&C 29:47 “Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me;”

Bio:

David J. Ridges was raised in southeastern Nevada until his family moved to North Salt Lake, Utah, when he was in fifth grade. He is the second of eight children. He graduated from Bountiful High, served a two-and-a-half-year German-speaking mission to Austria, attended the University of Utah and BYU, then graduated from BYU with a major in German and a physics minor. He later received a master’s degree in educational psychology with a Church History minor from BYU. He taught seminary and institute of religion as his chosen career for 35 years. He wrote curriculum for Sunday School and seminaries as well as for Institutes of religion. He taught BYU Campus Education Week, Especially for Youth, Adult Religion, and Know Your Religion classes for over 25 years. He has served in many callings, including as a bishop, stake president, patriarch, and executive secretary for the Sunday School General Presidency of the Church. He is currently serving as patriarch for the Provo 19^th YSA Stake and as a sealer in the Provo City Center Temple. Sister Ridges is serving as his scribe and typist for patriarchal blessings he gives. He has written over 40 books, including study guides for the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Old Testament, New Testament, Pearl of Great Price, Isaiah, the Book of Revelation, and other gospel topics including the signs of the times and temples.