Some book lovers like myself could consider it blasphemous to take scissors to any book – let alone scripture. But after talking about and contemplating this topic, I have come to the conclusion that it is all about the nature of the art project.
A worker for LDSArt.com Gina Bagley says that in her seminary class, her classmates would cut out scripture verses for scripture bowl competitions. Because of the essence of the project, however, Bagley doesn’t believe it was wrong.
Referring to the treatment of one’s scriptures, Bagley says, “It’s really nobody else’s business.”
Bagley also says scriptures should be reverenced, but is depends on, “what they mean to you personally.”
Bagley makes a good point. If your scriptures are important enough to be reverenced, you wouldn’t use pages from the Book of Mormon to line your bird cage. However, cutting out verses of missionary scriptures could be seen as acceptable – if you feel it’s acceptable.
In Moroni 7:13 it says, “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to good, and to love God, and to serve him, in inspired of God.”
In closing, if you feel the art project, or the throwing away, or whatever action you chose with your scriptures is inspired for good, odds are God thinks it is too.
~Joyce Drake
I think it is probably similar to garments. We honor and take care of our garments while they are in use. We fold them and put them away once they are clean, not in a pile on the floor, we bleach out any stains, and we reverence them.
But once they get worn out through use we cut out the symbols and the material can used for whatever we see fit.
I would not retire a perfectly good pair of garments, and it probably isn’t the best use of resources to retire a perfectly good pair of scriptures. If they become too worn then it would be best of course to recycle them in some creative way, but discarding them in any other way seems fine.