Libby – Your Public Library at Home

Do you love to read but don’t like buying books? Then Libby is something you should download.

Libby is a free app that brings your local library to your home. You can browse the library’s digital catalog of ebooks and audiobooks and download your selection to your mobile device. Click here to learn more.

Blue Letter Bible

I mention the Blue Letter Bible (BLB) often when speaking about studying the scriptures. While recording an interview with Rebecca Stay for my podcast, I learned that she has an excellent demonstration of using the Blue Letter Bible.

Rebecca taught an Old Testament class, and during one of the classes, she showed the class how to use the BLB to learn about the coats of skin of Adam and Eve.

She recorded the class, and the instructions on the BLB is in the second half of Old Testament Class #6, starting at minute 34.30.  

She refers to the website version of the BLB. There is also an app version that supplies the same information, although in a different format. The app is available for Apple and Android.

Voice Memos

Are there times you want to get an idea out of your head to consider at a later time?

What do you do? The old stand-by of pen and paper is an excellent option but rarely available when needed. However, the ubiquitous mobile phone can solve the problem.

Voice Memo part of the Apple array of built-in apps and is simple to use.

Open the app, press the red button, and speak. To make it even easier, create a short-cut to open the app, and start recording.

The newest version of the app has an enhancement feature that can improve sound quality.

How to Use and Edit Voice Memos

More Enhancement Information

Following the Counsel of Elder Bednar Digitally

Elder Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has suggested a way to study a gospel subject. Acquire an inexpensive paperback copy of the Book of Mormon, and as you read, mark any reference to the subject you are studying. After finishing the book, review the references and then write down everything you learned about the subject.

I think Bednar’s suggestion is an excellent tool. My problem is using a hard copy of the book. I would prefer to do it digitally because the digital replica of the book is always available, ready to read and mark. I can also make extensive notes if so moved.

I thought of using the Gospel Library and tagging each reference for the subject I am studying. Still, my scriptures are already heavily marked, and I want to start with a new unmarked book, as Elder Bednar has suggested. Also, I like the ability to hand-write over the text.

And lastly, I want the ability to recall the highlighted words quickly.

Recently, I found a solution. Download the PDF version of the Book of Mormon from the church website into my iPad and import it into GoodNotes, an excellent note-taking app for iPad and iPhone, and using a stylus, highlight the text. I use the Apple Pencil , but any stylus will work (you can also use a finger).

For a little bit of flair, I added a photo of the cover of the Book of Mormon as the cover page in GoodNotes.

Here is a page from my Book of Mormon in GoodNotes. Currently, I am looking for any reference of the Savior.

Now I can satisfy my needs and follow the counsel of Elder Bednar.

Gave it a try and let me know how it works for you.