Marking your scriptures turns reading into a conversation. A highlighted verse, a quick note in the margin, or a small sticker next to a favorite story helps you find what mattered to you and see how your understanding grows over time. This practical guide to scripture marking covers how to choose tools, set up a simple color-coding system, mark themes and cross-references, and help kids enjoy marking their own LDS scriptures without making a mess of the pages.
Why Mark Your LDS Scriptures?
Marking slows you down. When you decide what to highlight, you have to think about what a verse means and why it matters. Over months and years, your markings become a record of your study: verses that answered a prayer, promises you want to remember, and connections between books of scripture. There is no single right way to do it. The best system is one you will keep using, so start simple and add more only when you need it.
Choosing Your Scripture Marking Tools
Scripture pages are thin, so the tool you choose matters. Most people use a mix: something for color, something for notes, and something to help them find their place. You can compare options in our scripture markers collection.
Gel highlighters are a favorite for adding color. This pack includes six easy-glide gel highlighters in pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, each with a protective cap and twist bottom. According to the product details, the colors won't bleed through, tear, or smudge pages, and they are non-toxic.
A double-ended pencil with red and blue lead makes it easy to color-code two themes with one tool. Pencils are also ideal for underlining and writing small notes in the margins.
This classic red marking pencil has an eraser on the end, which is helpful when you are still deciding how you want to mark a passage or when a child is learning.
These 12 triangle-shaped scripture crayons use a durable plastic formula that leaves no waxy residue. Use the sharp end for underlining and writing and the flat end for highlighting. They are erasable, can be sharpened, and come in a box with a storage tray.
This set of 630 transparent watercolor stickers is sized for standard scriptures. There are stickers for taking notes, framing verses, and marking themes, and the carrying card includes ideas for using them.
Index tabs help you get to the right book quickly so you spend your time studying instead of searching. This earth tone pack for a quad comes with detailed instructions, and tabs are also available for the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Triple Combination.
Simple Color-Coding Systems for Scripture Marking
A color code lets you see at a glance what a verse is about. Keep it to a handful of colors so you can remember it without looking it up. Here is one easy system that matches a six-color highlighter set:
- Pink: Jesus Christ, His names, and His Atonement
- Orange: prayer and personal revelation
- Yellow: promises and blessings
- Green: commandments and counsel
- Blue: covenants and ordinances
- Purple: prophecy and the Restoration
Write your key on the inside cover or on a bookmark so you never forget it. If six colors feels like too many, start with two: one for verses about the Savior and one for everything else that stands out to you. A red and blue pencil is a perfect way to begin.
Marking by Theme
Another approach is to choose one theme, such as faith, repentance, or the Holy Ghost, and study it across the scriptures. Use the Topical Guide in the Church's edition of the Bible to find verses on that topic, then mark each one in the same color. Some people add a small symbol in the margin, like a heart or a star, so a theme stands out even when the verse is already highlighted.
Illustrated story stickers are a fun way to mark themes and stories. This set includes 174 transparent stickers for a quad, each designed to fit over a specific verse or section, and it includes all doctrinal mastery verses for the Book of Mormon, Bible, and Doctrine and Covenants.
For more sticker styles, browse our scripture stickers.
Cross-References and Margin Notes
Cross-references connect verses that teach the same truth. The footnotes in your scriptures already do much of this work, so start there. When you find a connection on your own, write the reference in the margin next to the verse with a fine pencil. Some people create a "scripture chain" by writing the next verse in the chain beside each one, so they can follow a topic from book to book.
Keep margin notes short: a word or two, a reference, or a date. Longer impressions, questions, and stories belong in a journal, where you have room to write freely without crowding the text.
This hardcover journal has 112 lined pages, a black satin ribbon bookmark, and a teal leatherette cover that can be personalized with a name on the front and a quote on the back. It is designed to match our basic leatherette scriptures.
You can find more options in our LDS journals.
Marking Scriptures With Kids
Children love marking their own scriptures, and it helps them feel that the book is truly theirs. A few tips make it go smoothly:
- Choose easy-grip tools. Triangle-shaped scripture crayons are designed for better grip and control in small hands.
- Mark one verse at a time. Pick a verse from a family lesson and let each child mark it in their own scriptures.
- Use pictures. Story stickers help kids recognize favorite stories as they flip through the pages.
- Allow do-overs. Erasable crayons and a pencil with an eraser take the pressure off.
- Let them choose colors. A simple two- or three-color code is plenty for younger children.
If your family is preparing for the New Testament, our Come, Follow Me 2027 New Testament resources post has ideas for each age group.
Avoiding Bleed-Through and Other Common Mistakes
- Use tools made for thin pages. Our scripture gel highlighters are described as not bleeding through or tearing pages. Ordinary markers and pens may soak through scripture paper, so check before you use them.
- Test first. Try any new tool on a less-used page, such as near the back of the book, before marking a favorite verse.
- Press lightly. A light touch keeps pages smooth and avoids tears.
- Do not over-mark. If every verse is highlighted, nothing stands out. Choose what truly speaks to you.
- Protect your set. If you are thinking about a hand-bound set to mark, our color scriptures guide explains the cover options, and see how to choose LDS scriptures if you want a separate set just for marking.
Shop More
Find everything you need to start marking in our LDS scriptures collection, including highlighters, stickers, and tabs, or browse LDS gifts for study supplies that make thoughtful presents.