Study Journal Check-In #2

Did you use your scripture study journal while reading Matthew 1-7 this week?

Yes!

Share a picture from your journal this week (something that is not too personal). What was significant about this entry?

This entry is the entry about the Sermon on the Mount, which is probably my favorite reading so far. As I was reading this, I learned so much from it, even more than I was able to write down. There are so many small gems of knowledge throughout these chapters that have such simple (though impactful) application in my life. From thoughts about how to improve my relationship with others to an analysis of the fruits that I'm producing, I definitely felt the Spirit nudging me (or sometimes slapping me upside the head) as I was reading this.

I also enjoyed this chapter because of a couple of connections that I made with what I'm learning in my Old Testament class right now, such as when Christ mentions taking oaths.

Describe one additional resource that has enhanced your study and explain how.

One resource that has really enhanced my study this week is Jesus the Christ. This book has added a new perspective to the aspects of Christ's life. Instead of using the traditional interpretation of a story, Elder Talmage introduces new ways to look at events in Christ's life. One of the coolest things I've learned from Jesus the Christ relates to Christ's 40 day fast, or rather the temptation that comes afterwards. I've always imagined that the temptation that Satan extended simply involved using heavenly power in a way that wasn't right.

However, Elder Talmage points out that there was a greater temptation: the temptation for Christ to prove his divinity to himself, even though he had just recently received a confirmation of it from his Father at his baptism. I've never thought about that side of the temptation before. And it helped me to understand how Satan uses doubt in order to get the children of God to forget or disregard their spiritual experiences. And it's reminded me of the importance to record spiritual promptings so that I never forget the "proof" that God is already giving me.