1. Lesson 2: Scripture Study Helps

2. Matthew Mark Lu-uke John The Acts And The Romans First and Second Cor-in-thi-ans Galatians Ephesians Phi-lip-ians Colossians First and Sec-ond Thes-sa-lo-ni-ans Timothy Titus Philemon Then to the Hebrews Epistle of James Peter, Peter John John Jo-hn Jude Revelation These are the books of the New Testament

3. M L J T A And T R F and S C G E P C F and S T T P Then to the H E of J P, P J J J J R These are the books of the New Testament

4. Study Helps: Background Written as part of the “Scripture Publications Committee” Formed in 1972 – Initially Thomas S. Monson, Boyd K Packer, Marvin J Ashton – Bruce R. McConkie later replaced Elder Ashton – Called scholars, editors, and publications specialists from BYU, CES, Deseret Book Took 7 years (The Triple was started in 1981) Each verse entered into computer database, topics/terms identified. Computer generated list of possible cross references, then hand-picked footnotes.

5. Chapter Headings Overview of Chapter Helpful for quickly finding where events happened, major teachings

6. Italicized Words in the Bible Inserted by the translator to give a correct English reading No way to do a direct translation Example: “Ich bin ein Berliner” Why doesn’t the Book of Mormon have these?

7. Footnotes Bible was written and translated in a different time Some words were not even around yet. GR – Greek literal meaning IE – Explanations Example (previous page) – 12:46 – “without” means “outside”

8. The Joseph Smith Translation Joseph Smith began translating the Bible in 1830. Continued through until his death, never finished. Bible contains over 600 versus changed, but not everything that was translated (RLDS has full version). Longer translations are either in the Pearl of Great Price (Moses, JS-Matthew), or in the Appendix. (Previous page, 12:43) Don’t necessarily think of JST as a literal translation, more of a correction of mistranslation of intent

9. Topical Guide Like the “Google” of the scriptures. Sorted by Topics with references Great place to start when preparing a talk, or preparing to study the scriptures. Related: Index to the Triple Combination. Useful to distinguish people and places

10. Bible Dictionary Excellent source of information about people, places, and topics. The “Wikipedia” of the Bible (also useful: Wikipedia) Special topics – “Chronology” – Compares Bible events to historical events – “Gospels, Harmony of” – Plots events of Christ’s life through 4 gospels – “Pauline Epistles” – Analysis of Apostle Paul’s letters – “Quotations” – Where the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament – “Weights and Measures” – List of weights and measures mentioned in the Bible

11. Maps and Photographs Pretty Self- Explanatory New version since 1999 Beginning has an Index of place names and map coordinates

12. 1.Where is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew? 2.What does Peter mean by a “peculiar” people in 1 Peter 2:9? 3.T/F – God is a Spirit (John 4:24) 4.How many yards is a Furlong? 5.What direction to you go to get to Golgotha from the Temple in Jerusalem? 6.Where in Ephesians is the scripture about Church Organization?

13. Hints 1.Where is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew? (Headings) 2.What does Peter mean by a “peculiar” people in 1 Peter 2:9? (GR) 3.T/F – God is a Spirit (John 4:24) (JST) 4.How many yards is a Furlong? (BD, Weights) 5.What direction to you go to get to Golgotha from the Temple in Jerusalem? (Maps) 6.Where in Ephesians is the scripture about Church Organization? (TG)

14. Answers 1.Where is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew? – Matthew 5 2.What does Peter mean by a “peculiar” people in 1 Peter 2:9? – Preserved, Purchased 3.T/F – God is a Spirit (John 4:24) - F 4.How many yards is a Furlong? - 220 5.What direction to you go to get to Golgotha from the Temple in Jerusalem? - North 6.Where in Ephesians is the scripture about Church Organization? - Eph 2:20, 4:11

15. Notebook Ideas How do you think the Joseph Smith translation took place? How can you study the Bible like Joseph Smith did? Why is the language left the way it is in the Bible? Why hasn’t it been simplified? Actively using footnotes and other helps makes you continuously pause during scripture reading. How is this helpful in your study, rather than just a straight read through?