Word studies

I highly recommend each mentor do at least one word study themselves to see what a powerful tool it can be to discerning truth!

Here are a couple "re-written definitions" from our youth on a word study on "work":
-work is a necessity that enables you to grow in heart, mind, and soul
-work is a form of activity that helps us grow and develop not only physically but spirtually and mentally as well.
-work is a kind of mental and physical education.
-work does not only brings happiness to ourselves but to many others

-work is an achievement of serving, learning, and completing a part of our journey through life.

(The following is the best instructions I could find on how to do a word study.  If anyone else has better ones, I would love it!  The purple highlights came from the site I got it from :)...)


Select a key word to focus on.

Look it up in the Webster 1828 dictionary. Select the definition for my focus (sometimes there is more than one definition):

Underline key words that stand out to you and define them:

Looking at how it is used in Scripture/Conference addresses. (Not in general quotes or other articles, at least for this purpose...)

Application: re-write the definition in your own words and how you are going to apply it.
Example:

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

E'AR, n. [L. auris, whence auricula; audio.]

The definition for my focus:

2. The sense of hearing, or rather the power of distinguishing sounds and judging of harmony; the power of nice perception of the differences of sound, or of consonances and dissonances. She has a delicate ear for music, or a good ear.

Defining my underlined words:

HE'ARING, ppr. Perceiving by the ear, as sound.
1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded.

3. The act of perceiving sounds; sensation or perception of sound.

DISTINGUISHING, ppr.

1. Separating from others by a note of diversity; ascertaining difference by a mark.

2. Ascertaining, knowing or perceiving a difference.

SOUND, a. [L. sanus.]
8. Founded in truth; firm; strong; valid; solid; that cannot be overthrown or refuted; as sound reasoning; a sound argument; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound principles.

PERCEP'TION, n. [L. perceptio. See Perceive.]

1. The act of perceiving or of receiving impressions by the senses; or that act or process of the mind which makes known an external object. In other words, the notice which the mind takes of external objects. We gain a knowledge of the coldness and smoothness of marble by perception.

4. The state of being affected or capable of being affected by something external.  

Looking at how ear is used in Scripture. 

I don't have a lot of spare time so I utilize search engines a lot. There are many references to ear in Scripture and it's hard to narrow it down for this post but you can research more on your own if you'd like to:

The organ of hearing:

Job 13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.

Capable of trying and distinguishing words:

Job 12:11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

God Made the Ear:

Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Planted.

Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

God Opens Ears. 

Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 

Job 36:10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

God Judicially Closes Ears:

Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Seek Knowledge With Ears:

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Be Bowed Down to Instructions With Our Ears: Proverbs 5:1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:Be inclined to wisdom.

Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;  

Application:  

We are made in God's image (He has ears-Job 13:1) but it goes deeper than that. God designed the human ear with purposes other than the physical mechanics to hear sound. He created it so we can hear to receive instruction and discipline (i.e. correction). He closes them to get our attention (a way of pursuing us). We are to be careful to what we listen to; we're to seek knowledge and wisdom.


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From Tammy Ward:

 

Do you guys want to take word study to a whole new level? I highly recommend the book "Aspire; The Power of Words" by Kevin Hall. You can read the first chapter for free here:

http://www.powerofwords.com/aspire-chapter-one.html

Here is a brief video with Kevin Hall, who is an LDS author, coach, speaker, etc. He is amazing. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFVMdt8L6mg

I am in the process of trying to connect with him on getting his books in bulk at a discount. I am also working with him to come and possibly speak to our youth. After viewing the chapter above and the video clip, let me know if this would be a good master day for a combined Vanguard activity. :)

He is so moving and ... inspiring. This guy understands WORDS...