Religion research paper 

In one of my favorite BYU religion classes, we were asked to write a lengthy research paper on a gospel topic of our choosing that we felt was a little controversial, confusing, or misunderstood.⁣

I knew immediately what my topic would be.

But here was the catch—

We could ONLY use scriptures or quotes from General Conference talks as the “research” for our paper.

No outside thinking.

No other books.

No commentaries.

No blog posts. ⁣

Our professor wanted us to get very clear on what the DOCTRINE was behind whatever topic we had chosen. ⁣

Just the scriptures and General Conference talks (which are our most modern scriptures).

Pure doctrine. ⁣

This was LIFE CHANGING.

I pushed all of the internet’s random well-intentioned thoughts and speculations aside about my topic.

And I really dove into what the doctrine was. ⁣

And honestly, my mind was opened to some nuances and doctrinal points that were different than what I had previously thought. ⁣

I could see the pure truths beneath all of the confusion. ⁣

The “philosophies of men, mingled with scripture” are not always from ill-intentioned people trying to lead us astray.

Most of the time, they look like honest conversations with friends where no one is quite clear on the doctrine and it turns into speculation.

Or a social media post from an acquaintance who is putting their opinion out there, and you think, “yeah, that sounds right!”

But when we turn to the PURE doctrine and what the SCRIPTURES say (which includes modern revelation), we discover that they are the best source of LEARNING and for our PROFIT. ⁣

“I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” (1 Nephi 19:23)

It was a long process to gather relevant quotes and scriptures and connect them all together.

But I honestly cannot overstate the clarity that came from stepping back from “things I had heard” and jumping into the original source.

Likening the scriptures, both ancient and modern, unto ourselves is NOT JUST a nice thing to do to make our scripture study more exciting. ⁣

It is ESSENTIAL if we are going to comb through the cacophony of voices and find true clarity.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black