Searching in the Scriptures and in Gospel Library

Define

Explain that to deepen our study of a scripture passage, we can search for related scripture passages, teachings of Church leaders, media, and other content. The following resources and tools can help us find related scripture passages and content more easily and quickly: footnotes, the Guide to the Scriptures, maps, photos, and the search function in Gospel Library. (In LDS English editions of the Bible, the Topical Guide and Bible Dictionary are also available.)

Model

To model this skill, you could use some of the following ideas or some of your own.

• Read 3 Nephi 9:20, and point out the phrase “ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” Point to 3 Nephi 9:20, footnote a as a source to find related scripture passages about this topic. You could also invite students to turn to the entry “Broken Heart” in the Guide to the Scriptures. Or they could look up “Broken-Hearted” and “Contrite Heart” in the Topical Guide to see related scripture passages.

• You or some of your students could demonstrate how to use the search features in Gospel Library. You could also highlight the following more advanced search features.

  Filter Search Results

  Click on the search icon and type in a word or phrase such as “gathering Israel.” Show how to filter the results. For example, to find scripture passages about gathering Israel, tap the Collections filter near the top of the page and choose Scriptures. To find teachings of Church leaders about the gathering, tap the Collections filter and choose General Conference.

  Search Using a Word or Phrase within Scripture Passages

  Search using a phrase from a scripture passage. For example, in the Gospel Library app, go to Doctrine and Covenants 18:10. Highlight the phrase “the worth of souls.” When the toolbar appears, press the Search feature. You could demonstrate how to use the filters to find conference talks, Church articles, and other related content that references and provides additional teachings about this phrase.

Note: You can find additional resources, tips, and videos in the “Help” section of the Gospel Library app, including the “Gospel Library User Guide (iOS)” and the “Gospel Library User Guide (Android).”

Practice

Select a passage from this week’s scripture study or use one of the examples provided below to invite students to practice this skill. Students could look for additional insights and teachings related to the passage by using the study helps in their scriptures or the search feature on Gospel Library. Invite students to share with the class what they discover.

Additional passages for practice:

• 1 Samuel 16:7. Students could search the footnotes or “Discernment, Gift of” in the Guide to the Scriptures. If using the Gospel Library app, they could search by scripture reference or by the phrase “the Lord looketh on the heart.”

• 2 Peter 1:4. Students could search footnotes, or if using the Gospel Library app, they could search the phrase “partakers of the divine nature.”

• 2 Nephi 9:6–7. Students could search “Atone, Atonement” in the Guide to the Scriptures or “Jesus Christ, Atonement through” in the index to the triple combination. If using the Gospel Library app, they could search by scripture reference or by the phrase “infinite Atonement.”

• Doctrine and Covenants 93:36. Students could search the footnotes and “Intelligence, Intelligences” in the Guide to the Scriptures. If using the Gospel Library app, they could search by scripture reference or by using the phrase “the glory of God is intelligence.”

Invite and Follow Up

Encourage students to use this skill of searching in the scriptures and in Gospel Library during their personal study and during class discussions. Invite them to come to class next time ready to share what they learned about a scripture by searching footnotes, the Guide to the Scriptures, the index to the triple combination, or the Gospel Library for additional teachings and insights related to that passage. Consider ways you can continue practicing this skill in class.