Review of Scripture Notes – An Indispensable Tool 9/6/2023 by Michael Edwards I am an 80-year-old convert of 12 years. I remember research before computers. I would go to the card catalog in the university library, look up my topic of interest, and spend hours browsing through microfiche -- frustrating! Today's ability to get instant information through my home computer's search engine is a quantum leap from those days. Even so, getting answers today to my questions, as a convert from a different tradition, can still be painstaking and time-consuming. As I have gradually become more familiar with the depth and mystery of revealed scripture, new insights and information have left me with new questions -- deeper questions. It seems like every answer, every revelation, leads to even more questions. And to be frank, searching scriptures, translations, footnotes, and commentaries is still a cumbersome process. Enter Scripture Notes -- When the Scripture Notes website says you can become 10 times more effective/efficient in your scripture study, they are not exaggerating. In fact, I think they are being modest. Scripture Notes makes seeking that further light and knowledge so much easier. It actually becomes fun. Why? Because my time is spent in discovery rather than in searching. Scripture Notes brings the resources I need, and then some, right to my fingertips. I usually use it for: (1) Seeking further knowledge, truth, and understanding; and (2) preparing church talks and Sunday School lessons. Here is an example: Suppose I ask myself, "Who is the Holy Ghost, really?" I can do a quick search engine inquiry to discover that the Holy Ghost is mentioned 402 times in the Bible and LDS Scriptures. A panel opens to let me read each verse and annotate it or make notes, as I wish. I can expand or narrow the search. I can get more information by accessing the Bible Dictionary, Bible Hub, the Blue Bible, Journal of Discourses, Joseph Smith Writings, and various apocryphal and other texts (such as the Book of Enoch). Additional resources are constantly being added to the library. If I am asked to give a church talk on my "Holy Ghost" findings, I can access the LDS Citation Index which will quickly locate all Conference talks where the Holy Ghost has been mentioned since 1947 -- and display those over 2000 talks. I can then zero in on the 22 talks by President Dallin Oaks, or any other favorite authority. I can also search for Conference talks that contain any selected scripture verse. Such a wonderful way to get a range of clarifications on the meaning of a single verse; or to just find speaker citations to support the content of my lesson or talks. There is so much more to this well constructed tool. All well-conceived and displayed in a way that cuts the drudgery of research and allows me to use my time learning and pondering. All can be gathered together in comprehensive notes where, again, most of the structural work is done for me. I can add outside information (such as a YouTube video) into my notes as well. Scripture Notes, in my opinion, blows away the other options out there. It provides an exciting shortcut into the depth and mystery of the Scriptures and sacred writings.

I love to study the scriptures, but I've always felt somewhat constrained by many of the existing study tools. I was blown away when I found Scripture Notes. It has so many advanced features built into it, including a powerful search engine, a rich highlighting and note system, and more. Yet it is also very intuitive and easy to use, so it works great for people with all levels of technical skill. My favorite thing about Scripture Notes is it joins together the best of many other resources into one place, such as word definitions, instructive podcasts and videos, and other study tools. It really helps me feel enabled rather than hindered in my study. I'd recommend it to anyone!

This app is absolutely amazing. I finally have somewhere to put all my thoughts about scriptures, quotes I love, and connect to resources like Bible Hub and Blue Bible, etc., etc. Best, there is a search that even includes what I've written about a particular scripture. Highly recommend.

With scripture notes, I have an increased desire to read the scriptures and study them. It is fun creating different categories and being able to drag all the scriptures to the subject. I like all the different ways you can highlight the scriptures with different colors and italicizing, bolding, etc. It feels like an adventure in creation. I don't lose my place and I'm able to create topics that I can come back to and add to later. It's so awesome.

As a writer and host of the Latter-day Disciples Podcast, I need a powerful tool to allow me to research intertextually in the scriptures. Scripture Notes is just that! My study has been enhanced as I have utilized its many features, including external links. Far superior to other scripture applications.

This app is a game-changer. Not long after watching the tutorials to get the hang of it and then trying it for a few days, I realized how much it added to my scripture study. I love it!

Scripture Notes has got to be the best scripture software program I have ever experienced. At age 86, it`s like going to school all over again. Have shown this to others and they have been impressed at how deep one can go when studing and making notes on the scriptures. All my paper notes now have a safe storage place.

My experience during the past several months, as a new user, is that Scripture Notes by Oak Norton provides an amazing set of gospel study tools. And it keeps getting better. Even with only a modest amount of learning effort, I can create powerful collections on new topics to meet my personal desires as they emerge. I was initially attracted by the fast powerful search. Then I learned to create and modify collections, and to use bolding etc and also highlighting of key words and phrases for different subtopics within the collection. Almost every day or so Norton has also shared a new exciting scriptural insight, with the use of a new sample collection or an invitation to learn from some solid related gospel source. He covers an amazing breadth of topics that extend beyond and complement his own tools and personal resources. Trusting his own solid foundation and personal insight continues to be important to me. I am thankful to be an avid supporter, even while I’m stretched with many other needs, like commitments for a large family, and while trying to be a frequent use on my tablet for Scripture Plus as well as Gospel Library for Come Follow Me.

When I first came across Scripture Notes I didn't see the value or use for them (sorry!), but I WANTED to. So I watched a few of the videos.... the more I watched, the more I was intrigued. It is the tutorials that come with the app that make the whole thing invaluable! Finally, for the first time in my life, I'm not just reading the scriptures.... I'm studying them! That is a huge blessing to me and I cannot wait to dig in further and learn sooo much more! Thank you so very much for your effort and work that has been put into this to make it such a blessing to those like myself! xx

I have loved studying the scriptures for much of my life! I've poured over them in earnest, but have also been frustrated that the process has been so cumbersome. I hated flipping pages in the books (never was good a scripture chase) and switching books or holding fingers in three or places at a time. I quickly move to digital scriptures and found that a great leap forward. If that was a great leap forward, Scripture Notes is a Quantum Leap Forward. Scripture Notes has features I long dreamed of and many that my little imagination couldn't have thought possible. I love every minute of the process and thanks to excellent tutorials, I have begun to feel quite adept at learning and growing as I used this marvelous tools to enhance and enrich my study! It has facilitated personal revelation with almost every verse! I joyfully and fully endorse this product and expect it will become even better! Thanks Oak Norton for a major breakthrough in my life!

I have been using Scripture Notes for a little over a month now. It has given me a much better way to study and search the scriptures. The thing I like most is the incredible support that they provide. From the very beginning I received tutorials on how to use the many features in this program. I have now gone through a dozen or more tutorials and feel really comfortable using the app. I am on the app almost every day, several hours, and I am enjoying my scripture study experience immensely. During October General Conference I came away with the impression that I should search and study the scriptures more than just reading them. It was about a month later that I came upon this program. It was an answer to my impression, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Awesome scripture reference tool!

Scripture Notes is an incredible resource that truly transforms scripture study. I can now study in a day what used to take me weeks. The powerful search capability alone makes it worth every penny of the very fair and affordable subscription, but add to that all the other resources, and you have not only a treasure trove of study tools, but an absolute gift of opportunity to accomplish more in less time. Scripture Notes is an essential resource for anyone feeling the call to truly search the scriptures.

Being from the 'old' generation I am not too quick with tech stuff. I am fairly new to Scripture Notes have found all the help videos truly easy to follow. However, having taught Gospel Doctrine for some 25 years I thought I was an old hand at delving into the scriptures. Alas, I find I am a novice. There is such a quick way to go in-depth with Scripture Notes that my studying has taken on a whole new meaning. Am so thankful I discover this program. It has made my daily scripture study a fun time and so rewarding when, for instance, I can now quickly compare various verses. Joy Farrance

First rate program with an array of very useful tools More versatile than the alteratives

Scripture Notes has transformed the way I study, in a big way. While I still use Gospel Library a lot at church, for Come Follow Me and conference talks, I use Scripture Notes in Gospel Doctrine so I can see all the things I’ve studied and documented at home. For serious study, I use Scripture Notes. I love opening multiple chapters at a time, and having the ability to type thoughts next to each verse. That is something I have wanted to do for ages. Come Follow Me is easier to study now, and I spend a lot more time in the scriptures. It isn’t unusual for me to spend 5 or 6 hours going over the chapters in each lesson. I never spent that much time before I started using Scripture Notes. I have shared posts about Scripture Notes on Facebook, and I’ve recommended Scripture Notes to a number of good friends as well as members of my family.

Super helpful app!! Invaluable study aid!!

I vividly remember how thrilled I was when LDS collectors library came out in the early 90s. I was in heaven with all the digital resources. We have come so far in digital media since then, but the depth and the capacity of our digital tools have not kept up. Scripture Notes is the best scripture study tool that has ever come out. I know because I have been using digital resources for decades.

Scripture Notes is by far the best, most comprehensive scripture study app out there! Even if you’re not a Latter-day Saint, there’s a great use for scripture notes. I love being able to play a video next to the scripture text the teacher is studying. I can’t recommend Scripture Notes highly enough!