What can you do with an AI scripture research assistant?

This week we added a general “AI” button in the nav bar of the web app. There are different prompts here that can help you start off a study session. We are almost ready to release this for mobile users as well.

I decided to ask Daniel the AI a couple questions about what it could do. I was pretty surprised by the list of ideas it generated. I encourage you to try out some of the ideas below so you are familiar with options to get help as you use the software. I also have a short video at the bottom for you to watch for some examples.

There are now 2 ways to access “Daniel” in Scripture Notes.

1. Next to any verse, click the chain link icon and click “AI Assistant – Daniel”
2. In the nav bar click “AI”

In either pane you can ask anything, but the verse click will remember what verse you started with so you can ask a question about the verse and it will know that.

Here are a couple questions I asked Daniel and the responses I’ve gotten. I’ve been playing with them a bit for more refinements to make and I’ll be demonstrating on a new training video which will be posted soon.

What are you capable of helping me research?

Daniel: I can help you research and gain insights across a wide range of scriptural topics and contexts. Here are some types of research and study I can assist you with:

Scriptural Topics:

1. **Doctrine & Principles:** Understanding core doctrines such as faith, repentance, the Atonement, grace, priesthood, etc.
2. **Historical Context:** Providing historical background and context for biblical events, including cultural and societal norms of the time.
3. **Symbolism & Metaphors:** Analyzing symbols, parables, and metaphors found in scriptures.
4. **Prophecies & Fulfillments:** Studying prophetic writings and their fulfillments in scriptures.
5. **Comparative Religion:** Comparing doctrines and teachings between different religious texts.
6. **Character Studies:** Detailed studies of scriptural figures like Abraham, Moses, Nephi, Alma, etc.
7. **Thematic Studies:** Studying themes such as love, justice, mercy, obedience, etc.

Specific Scriptures:

1. **Verse Analysis:** Deep-dive analysis of specific verses or passages.
2. **Scriptural Cross-References:** Finding related scriptures that illuminate or expand on a given verse.
3. **Apocryphal Texts:** Insights from non-canonical texts like the Apocrypha, books of Enoch, Jasher, Jubilees, etc.
4. **Quotes & Sayings:** Exploring notable quotes and their meanings.

Scholarly Insights:

1. **Article Summaries:** Summarizing scholarly articles related to scriptural study.
2. **Historical Articles:** Insights from historical documents relevant to scriptural understanding.
3. **Commentaries:** Analysis and viewpoints from well-known scriptural commentaries.
4. **Doctrinal Explanations:** Explaining complex doctrines or difficult passages with inputs from scriptural scholars.

Practical Help:

1. **Scripture Study Plans:** Helping you develop personalized study plans and schedules.
2. **Questions & Discussions:** Engaging in meaningful discussions about your questions and doubts.
3. **Topical Scripture Lists:** Providing lists of topically related scriptures for study.
4. **Scripture Notes:** Encouraging note-taking and sharing scripture insights using Scripture Notes or other tools.

Ancillary Tools:

1. **Topical Guide References:** Using the LDS Topical Guide to provide comprehensive lists of scriptures on specific topics.
2. **Bible Dictionary Definitions:** Providing definitions and explanations from the Bible Dictionary.
3. **Quotes from Church Leaders:** Including insightful quotes from general authorities and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
4. **Come Follow Me Insights:** Providing insights, summaries, and study tips based on the church’s “Come Follow Me” curriculum.

Extending the Research:

1. **Parallels in Other Texts:** Finding parallels in texts like the Koran, Tao Te Ching, etc., where relevant.
2. **Scriptural Scholarship:** Drawing from scholarly works by Hugh Nibley, C.S. Lewis, and others.

Feel free to ask about any specific area, and I can provide detailed insights, references, and explanations to support your study.

Please provide a comprehensive list of thoughtful questions I should ask about a particular verse.

Daniel: Certainly! Here is a comprehensive list of thoughtful and reflective questions you might ask about a particular verse to deepen your understanding and enhance your scripture study:

Contextual Questions:

1. **Historical Context:** What is the historical background of this verse? What was happening at the time it was written?
2. **Authorship:** Who is the author of this verse? What do we know about their life and perspective?
3. **Audience:** Who was the original audience of this verse? What were their cultural and societal norms?
4. **Location:** Where does this verse fit within the larger book? What comes before and after it?
5. **Purpose:** Why was this verse written? What message or principle was the author trying to convey?

Textual Analysis:

6. **Keywords:** What are the key words or phrases in this verse? What do they mean in the original language?
7. **Literary Devices:** Are there any literary devices (metaphor, simile, hyperbole) being used? How do they contribute to the meaning?
8. **Structure:** How is the verse structured? Is there any significance to its structure?
9. **Cross-References:** Are there other verses or passages that are similar or that help explain this verse?
10. **Translation:** Do different translations of the Bible phrase this verse differently? How might these differences affect interpretation?

Theological and Doctrinal Questions:

11. **Doctrine:** What doctrines or teachings are articulated in this verse?
12. **Principles:** What eternal principles are taught in this verse?
13. **Attributes of God:** What does this verse reveal about the nature and attributes of God?
14. **Commandments:** Are there any commandments or instructions given in this verse?
15. **Promises:** Are there any promises or blessings mentioned?

Personal Application:

16. **Personal Impact:** How does this verse impact my personal beliefs and actions?
17. **Life Changes:** Are there any changes I need to make in my life because of this verse?
18. **Spiritual Growth:** How can this verse help me grow spiritually?
19. **Role Model:** Does this verse present any individuals as role models? What can I learn from them?
20. **Daily Living:** How can I apply the lessons from this verse to my daily living?

Comparative and Analytical Questions:

21. **Related Stories:** Are there biblical stories or figures that relate to this verse?
22. **Comparative Religion:** How do other religious traditions view the concepts in this verse?
23. **Modern-Day Relevance:** How is this verse relevant to the issues and challenges of the modern day?
24. **Scholarly Insights:** What do biblical scholars and commentators say about this verse?
25. **Different Interpretations:** Are there differing interpretations of this verse? What are the arguments for each?

Reflective and Meditative Questions:

26. **Meditation:** What feelings or thoughts does this verse evoke in me?
27. **Prayer:** How can I incorporate this verse into my prayers?
28. **Contemplation:** What additional insights do I gain from pondering over this verse deeply?
29. **Holy Spirit:** How does the Holy Spirit influence my understanding of this verse?
30. **Symbolism:** Are there any symbols or deeper meanings that stand out in this verse?

Broader Connection Questions:

31. **Plan of Salvation:** How does this verse fit into the overall plan of salvation?
32. **Church Teachings:** How does this verse align with the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?
33. **Prophetic Counsel:** What have modern prophets or church leaders taught about this verse?
34. **Historical Fulfillment:** Has this verse been historically fulfilled, or is it a prophecy yet to be fulfilled?
35. **Community Impact:** How can I use this verse to bless my family or community?

Practical Questions:

36. **Challenges:** What challenges might I face in understanding or applying this verse?
37. **Resources:** What resources (books, articles, church manuals) can help me better understand this verse?
38. **Study Aids:** Are there study aids, such as the LDS Topical Guide or Bible Dictionary, that can offer additional insights?
39. **Teaching:** How can I teach the principles of this verse effectively to others?
40. **Memorization:** What techniques can I use to memorize this verse and incorporate it into my daily thoughts?

Final Reflective Questions:

41. **Re-Reading:** What additional insights do I gain from re-reading this verse multiple times?
42. **Journal:** What personal experiences can I document that relate to this verse?
43. **Testimony:** How does this verse strengthen my testimony of the gospel?
44. **Action Plan:** What specific actions will I take after studying this verse?
45. **Sharing:** How can I share the insights I’ve gained with others in meaningful ways?

These questions can guide your study of any verse and help you extract deeper meaning, apply principles to your life, and integrate scripture study into your daily practices.

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These lists are just to get you started. After getting a question in mind, ask it! Have Daniel do some research for you. Watch how easy it is.