What’s Up?

“What’s Up?” New Era, July 2011, 36–39

What’s Up?

Making Your Mark

Marking your scriptures can help you focus on specific ideas and concepts as you study the gospel. There are many ways you can mark your scriptures; just make sure you find a method that works for you. Below are some suggestions for marking scriptures:

Use pencils or colored markers. Avoid using pens that bleed through the paper.
Shade, underline, bracket, or outline specific words, verses, or groups of verses that have special meaning to you.
Avoid excessive marking. The benefit is lost if you can’t understand your markings because you have made too many notes, lines, and colors.
When several ideas in a verse or passage are related, number the ideas in the margin or text.
Draw a small symbol in the margin for key verses to help you remember why you marked it.

I took this picture in Thessaloníki, Greece. It reminds me of the mist of darkness in Lehi’s dream (see 1 Nephi 8:22–24).

Kevin K., Germany

Great Group Date Idea

Get together with a group of your friends for a photo scavenger hunt. Divide up into groups of four or six; each group will need a digital camera and a list of possible photos. Before the date, create a list of objects or activities that could be photographed for the scavenger hunt, and make sure to have lots of possible picture options (20 or 30). On the date, set a time limit for the scavenger hunt, and then meet up afterward for treats and a slide show of the photos. Award points for each picture.

Here are some photo ideas to get your list started:

A cow wearing a hat (8 points)
Someone playing a harmonica (7 points)
$7.82 in coins (5 points)
A building at least six stories high (5 points)
Someone in your group shaking hands with a police officer (7 points)
Two people with matching shirts (8 points)
Your entire group on a playground slide (10 points)

My Favorite Scripture

2 Nephi 2:11

This verse has always been my guide and inspiration whenever I’m in doubt, despair, or a difficult situation. It has been my favorite passage since I have questioned why there needs to be an opposition. Why should there be contradictions? Why can’t life just be positive, happy, easy, and good? Why should the bad exist?

This verse helped me understand life and its complexities. It helped me appreciate more the meaning of life. It made me realize the purpose of opposition and that I should be thankful for it. For without it, we would not know the real essence and beauty of life. Without opposition, we would not know how to love, how to be happy, or how to succeed. I’ve learned to love life and accept it as it is and to trust in the Lord because His wisdom is unquestionable.

Sheena P., Philippines

What’s a QR Code?

You may have noticed several QR codes (short for “quick response codes”) like the one below in recent issues of the New Era. If you have a camera-enabled smartphone, you can scan a QR code to link straight to a video, article, or website without having to type in its web address. Here’s how:

Search for QR-code apps in the app store for your smartphone. Free apps are available for most smartphones.
Install your selected app to your smartphone.
Open the app, and scan the QR code. Once the code registers, the item it links to will appear on your smartphone.

Try out the code below to go to youth.lds.org, and check out more on pages 15, 25, and 48. This is an emerging technology that works best with iPhones and Android phones and may not work on all devices. E-mail feedback to newera@ldschurch.org.