Reading Scriptures

So the other day I was talking to my in-laws about scripture reading.  My DH and I are currently reading the Old Testament for our couple scripture study and we just finished Isaiah.  My in-laws commented on how they wished they could understand Isaiah better and I started to think, "What did I learn from Isaiah?"  Not a whole lot.  We just read it, we didn't discuss it or ponder it or learn from it, we simply read it.  I don't have a fear of Isaiah because I had a seminary teacher who loved Isaiah, and just his passion from it passed on to me so that  I don't fear it, but I wouldn't say that I take the time, study and spirit (see 2 Nephi 25:4) to understand it either.

I remember the first time I read through the Old Testament I had a much harder time understanding Jeremiah than Isaiah, so I've made it a point to try to understand Jeremiah.  What better time do I have to learn and discuss and question the scriptures than with my eternal partner?!:) And now we are only in chapter 6, but I feel like I am understanding Jeremiah!!:) 

Then the other night I was reading in my scriptures for my personal scripture study and I thought, I don't have very many questions, I want to learn.  So I started reading my scriptures with a desire to learn.  And then I read Mosiah 26:4 which says that if we know Christ than we are called.  So I wondered how do I know Christ?  So I did an index search of the word know and learned that we know Christ when we serve, by the Holy Ghost, and as a spiritual gift!:)

So I think that reading scriptures is way better than not doing anything, many days/nights I still just read my scriptures.  Sister Dalton challenged my stake to read 5 minutes every day and I can do that!!:)  And a seminary teacher challenged me to read every day even if it is only one verse, because one verse is better than not reading at all and it gets you in the habit. However, I know that studying and asking questions and seeking to understand is so much better for us!!:)  We can learn more from studying than we can from reading!!:)  And I think the Spirit is better able to guide us as we study and seek to know those things Heavenly Father would have us learn!!:)