Seeing the Whole Picture: From Snippets to the Full Story of Christ

There’s a profound difference between knowing *about* the Gospel and actually *reading* the Gospel until the whole story unfolds before you. It’s easy, when you’re deep in the work, to feel like you’ve pieced together all the necessary truths—the doctrines, the covenants, the promises. We can quote passages with confidence, feeling like we’ve covered the ground.

But what happens when we treat scripture like a collection of brilliant, isolated jewels, rather than a single, magnificent narrative tapestry? I was recently reminded of this truth by listening to a discussion about the journey of deep scripture study. It hit me like a flash of the Spirit: we can’t truly grasp the fullness of the Atonement, or the breadth of Christ’s divinity, if we only look at the highlights.

The speaker shared how she initially studied the Bible through segments, feeling knowledgeable, but only when she committed to reading it *through*—the laws, the genealogies, the confusing parts—did the picture start to cohere. It was a wake-up call, a holy fear, really, realizing how much context I might be missing when I only focus on the parts that feel comfortable or doctrinally neat.

This is such a vital principle for us as disciples, whether we are preparing for missions, serving as returned missionaries, or just trying to deepen our personal study. We tend to gravitate toward the parts that confirm what we already believe, and that’s natural. But the Spirit often guides us to the challenging passages, the confusing narratives, or the sections that make us pause and say, "Wait, what?"

The Invitation to the Whole Story

The key takeaway here, the one I want us to hold onto as we continue in the work, is the need for sustained, comprehensive study. It’s not just about finding the answer to the question you have right now; it’s about letting the whole book—the whole life—of Christ reveal Himself to you.

When she was struggling with passages in the New Testament, she didn't just ask a mentor for an answer; she asked God to give her a *lens*—a specific focus—and then she returned to the text, looking through that lens until the whole portrait emerged. She didn't just learn a doctrine; she fell in love with the *Person* of Jesus Christ, seeing the heart behind the actions.

This reminds me so much of our own journey as disciples. We are constantly being guided to see Christ in the whole picture—in the struggles, the commandments, and the quiet moments of revelation. If you’ve been feeling like you’ve "pieced it together" on your own, I encourage you to adopt a posture of humility. Be willing to read the genealogies. Be willing to wrestle with the parts that confuse you. That is where the Spirit often whispers the deepest truths.

Mission Prep Focus: The Lens of Context

Here’s a little skill to carry with you this week for your personal study or even for those missionary discussions: When you encounter a passage that seems contradictory or confusing, don't just bookmark it as "weird." Instead, ask yourself: "What surrounding context might I be missing? What is the overarching narrative thread that connects this passage to the beginning and the end?" Approach it with the curiosity of a student, not the certainty of an expert. That humble curiosity is what invites the Spirit to guide you to the full picture.

We are all on this journey to see the whole Savior. Let’s keep inviting others to join us in that deep, rewarding study.

If you are looking for a structured way to wrestle with scripture together, I highly recommend checking out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to share insights and keep that momentum going!

For those who want to dig deeper into scriptural interpretation, I’ve left a link to a great resource below. And remember, if you’re ever stuck on how to answer a tough question from an investigator, don’t hesitate to tap into the wisdom of Davee—he’s ready to walk you through the hard questions!