This Is How Not to Study

by | Sep 19, 2016 | Miracles | 0 comments

thumb_study_hard.jpg

Today we’ve got another school-themed Miracle Monday for you. This story is submitted by Lucky to Graduate.

I was baptized when I was a senior in high school, so I was still a relatively new member of the Church when I began college. This had obvious benefits, as I was able to approach the whole experience in a prayerful manner.

However, it also created some challenges. I resolved to read the entire Book of Mormon that year, so I carried it with me to school, reading it in between classes. I also was so enjoying attending church that I not only attended my own branch and MBA meetings but I also regularly visited the MBA meetings of another nearby branch. Studying? I’d be fitting that in when the exams came around.

That first semester, I took a political science course. No offense to those who may find this subject interesting, but I routinely struggled to pay attention in this class. When the mid-term exam came around, I dutifully pulled out my political science book the night before the exam to study. To my horror, when I looked at the syllabus, I saw that I was supposed to have been reading 25 to 30 pages after each class — which obviously I had not been doing. The mid-term exam would cover over 400 pages of this boring textbook!

Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, I looked to the Lord, asking what to do at this point. Now, I want to emphasize to any students who may be reading this — this is NOT how to study! Be that as it may, the textbook fell open to a certain page, and I was looking at a one-page essay describing the theory of a man named John Locke. Somewhere in my memory, I recalled the professor mentioning the name John Locke at some point, so I went ahead and read the one page. Satisfied that I understood this one thing, I closed the book and went to bed.

The next day, I opened the mid-term exam, which presented several options for essays to write. Option No. 1 was to explain John Locke’s theory. Against all odds (and totally undeservedly), God allowed me to get a good grade on this exam, and I did pass the course. I did learn from this experience — I did a better job of balancing my time to complete my school work (also, no more political science!).

Over the years, I have had several opportunities as a minister to offer prayer for young people who expressed a desire for God to help them with upcoming exams. I have always prayed in this same way (perhaps to their chagrin) — “Lord, help this young person with their exams. Allow them to recall everything that they study in preparation for the exams.” This is how to study!

Wanted: Your Scripture-reading Stories

Next month’s Miracle Monday theme is reading scripture. Did the Lord ever bless you with a totally new and much-needed thought, idea, or answer to prayer while you were reading His word? Perhaps you needed to locate a specific scripture, and God showed it to you. Did the Lord ever give you a scripture to share with someone else? We’d love to hear your stories. Click here to share.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.

Author

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Further Reading

Nothing to Fear

In 2011, I discovered — and my doctor confirmed — a large tumor in my body. I was facing further tests, which caused me great concern. On a Sunday morning, I went before the ministry of the branch to be anointed. That day, a sister shared the following vision:...

Read More

Not Going to Oz Today

About 20 years ago when I was working at a hospital, God spared me from a tornado.  It was a long day at work, which started about two hours before my normal tour of duty. I was in charge of a patient event that very hot summer day and found myself exhausted...

Read More

Never Miss a New Article

Subscribe to Our Email List
Sign up and get every new blog post sent straight to your inbox so you always have the day’s devotional at your fingertips.

We never share your email address with anyone for any reason, and we use it only to send you Gospel Blog emails. Just articles, not ads!

Your Story for God’s Glory

Share Your Testimony on Miracle Monday

We devote Miracle Monday to sharing miracle stories. From finding a lost wedding ring to healing cancer on the spot, Jesus Christ has done it all, big and small.

And we want to hear about what He’s done for you.

The Gospel Blog Is Open for Submissions

We encourage devotional-style or scripture-based articles in the ballpark of 500 words. We are open to any topic that glorifies God and unites the Church.