I often get asked what kind of materials I use for studying the scriptures, from the books I read to the pencils I use to mark them!
You can now check out some of my most FAVORITE study materials right here!
Have any questions about other supplies I use?!
Drop a comment at the bottom of this post, and I’ll respond with my favorite recommendations!
*Some of the links I share might be affiliate links, meaning I get some income without you paying anything extra!*
Let’s start with: Marking the scriptures!
I LITERALLY got this pencil when I was 8 years old. AND I recently learned that my mom got the same type of pencil when she was in the MTC. Soooo this scripture marking pencil has been in the family for generations now hahaha!
It’s nothing too fancy, but you do feel pretty cool changing between the 8 different colored leads.
Why is this my fav?
It doesn’t bleed through the pages! It still marks very boldly, but you can’t see it on the other side of the rice-paper-thin pages unless you are pressing down way too hard.
It gives you the ability to change colors easily without keeping track of multiple pencils. I have TONS of scripture-marking techniques that I have tried throughout my life, and they all involve needing more than one color to mark things. But I only have one pencil to keep track of!
It lasts FOREVER. Seriously, between the 8 different colors of lead, it will take you a loooong time before you even come close to running out. Red and dark blue are my most-used colors by far, so I might have to look at refills soon, but even then, it’s taken me many years to get to this point. Oh, and luckily, the refills are super easy to just pop in to the appropriate little area if you get super obsessed with marking a color in particular.
You never thought anyone could talk that much about one pencil, huh?! HAHA! Click down below if you want to grab one for yourself or any family members, and let me know what you think of it in the comments!
If you have scriptures with regular paper thickness (like the D&C and Book of Mormon I recommend below), then THESE are the pens you want!
When I taught middle school, these were the only pens that I would use to grade papers. They had every color available, and I love how bright and thick the ink was, without smearing. Like truly, I have never met any kind of colored pens that work even close to as well, and I think I’ve tried them all.
My favorite wide-margin, spiral-bound Doctrine and Covenants!
This has been my FAVORITE new discovery for studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year! The pages are normal 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, so there is literally TONS of space to write notes anywhere. I haven’t ever run out of space– and that’s saying something for a writer like me! 😉
My other favorite feature is that it is spiral-bound! I can lay it open to any page, and it will stay there. No folding back pages necessary!
These scriptures really are HUGE, and I love them. The shop also has giant carriers that perfectly fit the size of the scriptures, so if you carry your scriptures from place to place often, I highly recommend grabbing a bag, too!
I was also able to get a discount code for you! Use the code CFM10 for 10% off your entire purchase. CLICK HERE!
My Favorite “Book of Mormon” that also doubles as my journal!
This is my favorite new way to read the Book of Mormon – the authors have taken out the chapters and verse markings and breaks (although you can still easily find them at the bottom of the page for reference purposes). This makes it read much more smoothly – just like a story, separated into paragraphs and events that occur naturally!
I ALSO love this Book of Mormon because it has super wide margins and lots of blank white space at the end of “event” chapters. I have plenty of room to write my notes and questions in the margins as I read, and if I have a lot of info that I want to get down, the end-of-chapter sections give me plenty of room.
I love that all of my thoughts are all contained right alongside the scriptures and all in one book! This really is currently serving as my scriptures AND my journal!
Book of Mormon Study Guide? My answer is probably more boring than you would think!
There are TONS of study guides out there with fabulous insight. But my favorite study guide will always be the Church’s own Book of Mormon Student Manual for Religion and Institute classes.
The reason I love it? It sticks to doctrine and gives background info for exactly what I need. I prefer to let my own mind wander when it comes to practical applications and personal inspiration – so I really like that this manual gives me the info that I need to just UNDERSTAND what is going on if I get lost, and provide doctrinal guidance if things seem confusing.
It has sections for almost every chapter and verse, so I don’t always read every single entry. I’ll glance at it and see if it is something I feel like I need more information on at the moment. I love it! But feel free to share any of your favorite study guides in the comment section, too. I definitely have not tried them all!
You can access this COMPLETELY FREE online HERE https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/title-page?lang=eng
Or, I actually prefer to have the physical copy for this one. You can grab it at Church Bookstores if you live by one, or order one from Amazon.
Next up: Need a kick in the pants?!
This book will literally light the fire underneath you to get you moving forward on making changes and setting spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical goals that actually work. The book walks you through the “training program” that the Lord taught here on the earth and throughout the scriptures, and then teaches you how to apply this same “training program” in your own life!
Plus, it’s filled with entertaining and inspirational sports stories and analogies that really make the concepts tangible for readers of all ages.
Pluuuuus, Skye Fagrell (the author) used to be my Bishop, and he is such a dynamic speaker and seminary teacher that I knew he needed to write a book. Turns out, he did. And it’s awesome. Read it as a whole family and learn how to actually make lasting change in your spiritual life!
MORE PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS COMING SOON!
Remember, have a request for a recommendation, or a specific question? Pop it in the comment section down below, and I’ll add on to this article with more of my favorite STUDY things!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
11 Responses
I have recently found your website/blog and have so enjoyed your insights. Besides the marking pencil and the book you mentioned as study aids, I’m interested to know if you have a particular journal that you record your thoughts and strokes of inspiration in and also if there is a particular Book of Mormon study guide you Iike best.
Hey, welcome! I’m glad you are enjoying what you have found so far! 🙂 Thanks for the questions, and I actually just updated my post to include my answers to you. When I have used journals in the past, I have just used whatever journals I have lying around. But I was recently gifted the Book of Mormon that I put in my post that groups the scriptures together by logical events and paragraphs, not verses and chapters, so that it reads more like a book. It also has big margins and lots of white space, so I now use this Book of Mormon as my journal, while I’m reading! I like having my notes right next to the scriptures instead of bouncing back and forth. As for a BoM study guide, I honestly just like the Church’s religion and institute Student Manual. I like getting straight forward information with lots of doctrine. Kind of boring, but it’s what I personally prefer! Great questions, and hopefully I gave you some new ideas. 🙂 Happy Studying!
Cali: this is exciting and I hope will prove valuable to me in the future.
I am an 80+ year old member who is having issues with my vision and so I rely on the audible readings of the scriptures. I think, with a magnifying glass that I could follow along and utilize markers for the scripture studies you recommend. I shall send for them, do my best, and let you know how it works out!
I am currently listening to W. Clemons Skousen’s commentary of the Book of Mormon, read by M. Newell Noble. It is on CD. I have had it for over 20 years, so don’t know whether it is even available any more. It has been a treasure to me.
God bless your efforts!
Awesome, I can’t wait to hear how those supplies work for you! 🙂 That sounds like a cool commentary, I haven’t heard of it before. Thanks for sharing!
Hi. I’m from New Zealand and i really want to get a copy of the new approach to studying the book of mormon, however every time i go to place an order it says they can’t ship it to New Zealand. Can you please tell me other ways i can place an order, i would love to grab a copy. Thank you.
I came across your website and I’m exited. I am a convert, and because I did not grow in the gospel I love learning. Thank you , I’m enjoying your page.
I’m so glad you found it! Welcome, and I hope you can find some things to help your studies. 🙂
Cali: I would like to study Book of Mormon that you gave – it feels more understanding ( follow my stroke) and clearer-I love it ! Thank you Sandi
Yes, it’s one of my all-time favs! Enjoy!
Do you have a podcast or do YouTube videos? I looked for them and could find one. Thx
I do not right now! I’m mostly on Instagram (I share lots of tips and ideas in my stories!), here on my website, and through my email list!