Navigating the Genesis Questions: A Disciple's Guide to Scripture Study

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve been dipping into the scriptures lately—and I know many of you have, especially as we approach new seasons of discipleship—you know the feeling. You open up the Book of Genesis, ready to learn, and suddenly you’re confronted with questions that have stumped scholars, students, and even seasoned Saints for generations.

It feels like every January, the same deep questions bubble up. We see discussions about the light on Day One when the sun arrives on Day Four, or the profound implications of God referring to Himself in the plural. These aren't questions to be dismissed; they are invitations from the Spirit to dig deeper, to wrestle with the text, and to become more deeply rooted in the truth of our God.

It reminds me of my own early days in the field. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of doctrine and the depth of the scriptures. It felt like I needed a PhD just to answer a simple investigator question! But I learned that the goal isn't to be the most educated person in the room; the goal is to be the most Spirit-filled disciple. We are called to learn *with* the investigator, not just *at* them.

The way we approach these complex topics, like those covered in the recent GotQuestions podcast episode, is a perfect microcosm of our entire journey as Latter-day Saints. We are taught to be diligent students of the word, but we are also taught to be humble enough to admit when we don't have the final answer, and instead, point our investigator back to the source: the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Savior.

The Spirit is Our Greatest Tool

When faced with a question that requires balancing science, theology, and ancient record, remember that the Spirit is our ultimate guide. Don't try to solve it all on your own. If you are in a Book Club or a Bible Study Group, use the resources available in LivingBook to explore the different angles. If you’re feeling stuck on how to answer a challenging question during missionary discussions, I always recommend running it by Davee. He’s trained in the AI Investigator role, and walking through those hard questions with him helps build that muscle memory for when you’re in the field.

A Bite of Mission Prep Skill

Here’s a simple skill to take with you this week: When an investigator asks a question you aren't 100% sure on, do not panic or give a quick, definitive answer. Instead, use the "Acknowledge, Redirect, Affirm" method. Acknowledge the depth of the question. Redirect by saying, "That's a really deep question that requires careful study, and I want to make sure we give it the proper attention." Affirm by promising to follow up with a scripture reference or a resource. This builds trust and models diligent discipleship.

The goal of our discipleship isn't just to accumulate facts; it's to cultivate faith. It’s about knowing that no matter how complex the question—whether it’s about the origins of light or the nature of covenants—the answers lead us back to Christ.

If you’ve been studying Genesis, or any challenging book of scripture, I highly recommend revisiting the foundational principles of scripture study. If you haven't already, check out some of the excellent resources on the Iron Rod available in LivingBook. It keeps the learning continuous, no matter where you are in the world.

For those of us who are ready to sharpen these skills, I invite you to join our next virtual session. We’re hosting a free Disciple Challenge focused on applying the principles of doctrinal discernment. Details are posted in the rogue disciples group chat!