Before I start a project, I like to ask myself “why”? Why am I doing this? what is my purpose? What do I hope to accomplish?"
Our new prophet, Pres. Russell M. Nelson, recently counseled us to “begin with the end in mind”. Bro. Talbot and I were asked by the stake to bring you some thoughts about personal and family scripture study. So, I asked myself, “Why? Why are we counseled to study the scriptures? Why should I take time to study them by myself? Why should I go to the effort of studying them with my family?”
And taking Pres. Nelson’s counsel to begin with the end in mind, I can ask, "What is the end? My answer to that question is “I want to be like Heavenly Father and Christ; I want to go back home with my family and loved ones forever.”
Pres. Nelson answered it like this: “The end for which each of us strives is to be endowed with a power in a house of the Lord, sealed as families—faithful to the covenants made in a temple that qualify us for the greatest gift of God, that of eternal life.”
“These two objectives—immortality and eternal life—are both enabled by the Atonement of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”
So, in preparing this talk, I searched through the scriptures and prophetic counsel looking for the “why”. What do the scriptures tell us about why we study the scriptures?
Christ himself teaches us why:
In the Bible, ¶ aSearch the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which btestify of me. John 5: 39
In the Book of Mormon:
he that hath the scriptures, let him asearch them 3 Nephi 10:14
In the D&C 1:37 aSearch these commandments, for they are true and cfaithful, and the prophecies and dpromises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
In the Pearl of Great Price: Joseph Smith Matt.1: 37 And whoso atreasureth up my word, shall not be deceived
These are reasons from Christ Himself.
Latter-day prophets have also answered the question: How does personal and family scripture study help me? Why do I want learn about my Heavenly Parents and my Savior Jesus Christ ? How does personal and family scripture study help me reach my end goal?
From Pres. Monson, April 2017:
I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you.
Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.
A testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.
From Pres. Nelson April 2017:
Consecrate a portion of (your) time each week to study everything Jesus said and did as recorded in the standard works.9 I invite (you) to let the scriptural citations about Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide become (your) personal core curriculum.10
October 2017 The Book of Mormon provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere. It illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary.
The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.
My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.
From other apostles;
- Pres. Eyring: God reveals things to me that are personal and helpful. We find answers to our questions. Personal revelation will flow”
From my journal a couple of years ago: I was listening to the scriptures as I drove to Kensington this morning. When I heard about Moroni's fortifications that had never been seen before. I thought to myself, "Wow! I would love to have a fortification against Satan like that!" I pushed the pause button, and said a prayer. "Heavenly Father, what would be a fortification for me that would prevent Satan from getting into the chinks in my armor?" Almost immediately, the Spirit whispered something to me that I sort of knew was important, but not really a commandment. Sure, it's in my patriarchal blessing. Now I know that, for me at least, it is a commandment and will be my fortification against Satan. Want to know what my new commandment is? Sleep. Get into bed earlier and get a good night's rest. When I am sleepy and fatigued, I am much more vulnerable. This is a tricky one for me, because there's always something more to do. But now that I know it's my personal commandment and my fortification against Satan, I will be obedient.
2. Pres. Hinckley: We will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls; the scriptures become a part of you. Lives will be infinitely more blessed and our burdens will be made lighter.
When I was a young mother, there was a sister in RS that I respected and admired. She had reared a large family and was very close to Heavenly Father. Her husband had passed away a few years before, which, of course, was a very difficult thing for her. One day in RS, she told us an experience that she had at the time of his passing that I have always remembered. She said that she was sitting in her husband’s hospital room, grieving, her heart broken, when a scripture came into her mind. I don’t recall which scripture she mentioned, but I do remember that she said that it gave her great comfort and her grief was eased. She testified of her gratitude for the scriptures and how thankful she was that she had studied the scriptures all her life. Because she had done that, Heavenly Father was able to help her recall a scripture that would bring her solace and reassurance. I remember thinking to myself, “I want to be like that! I want to be able to have that blessing myself in difficult times."
3. Pres. Monson: We will gain a sure testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us.
Some of you might remember Sandee Everett, who was a member of our ward years ago. One time she told us that when she returned from her mission, she was so attached to her Book of Mormon, she would sleep with it under her pillow at night. At the time, I thought that was really funny and a little strange :) But I think I understand that feeling better now. For me, the scriptures and especially the Book of Mormon are a tangible evidence of God’s love for us. It’s a gift from Him that we can actually hold in our hand. He has given us everything, but we can’t touch faith; we can’t touch eternal life; we can’t touch repentance. But we can lift this wonderful book that, if we will study it, it will help us develop faith, learn how to repent and yearn for eternal life with our Heavenly Family. So, if someone wants to sleep with it under their pillow to remind them of God’s love, that’s awesome!!
4. Elder Scott: Study of the scriptures will give us an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience; we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.
Brock: Personal scripture study for me is a shield against temptation. In particular, reading the Book of Mormon each day has blessed my life immensely.
5. Pres. Eyring: Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. The Book of Mormon especially reveals the will of the Lord for family life.
Kate: One quote and truth that I love is from Elder Packer: “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.”
I have definitely seen this in my life. As a mother and wife, when I am reading daily and studying the doctrines of the gospel, I am much more patient and closer to the spirit so I can check my behavior. Also, the more I study, the easier it is for me to teach my girls about the scriptures. I can retell scripture stories easier (more accurately) and bring up doctrine in conversation much more easily too.
My girls are much more understanding of gospel truths than I was even at twice their age. They have been prepared for these days FOR SURE. Reading the scriptures with them and watching them read and comprehend, and answer meaningfully in primary and FHE, brings me so much joy. They are arming themselves against the adversary and it shows. The scriptures are too powerful not to use.
6. Pres. Benson: the scriptures help us understand our purpose on earth
According to President Ezra Taft Benson, a patriarchal blessing is “personal scripture to you.” .Remember, the Liahona was a perfect compass for Lehi’s family as they traveled to the promised land—if they heeded it and kept the Lord’s commandments. In your journey to the promises in your patriarchal blessing, take special note of what this personal Liahona tells you about what to avoid and what to do to obtain those promises. https://www.lds.org/youth/article/what-a-patriarchal-blessing-can-do-for-you?lang=eng&_r=1
I know that my own patriarchal blessing has given me comfort and at times, chastisement, when I read it and examine my life. Because of this special blessing, I know the gifts and responsibilities that Heavenly Father has given me and for what I must be accountable in my day of judgement.
7. Pres. Nelson: most importantly, the scriptures help bring the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ into our lives.
I know that when I take time to be still, to study and ponder, that allows my Spirit to calm and be receptive to the Spirit; that is when the Holy Ghost manages to pierce my heart. And when we feel the presence of the Holy Ghost with us, that IS the atonement of Christ working within us. It’s as simple as that.
I find that it’s easier to follow a commandment if I know the “why”.
In this case, the “how” might be even trickier. We have busy lives. This is what our leaders, who are probably busier than any of the rest of us, have said about that:
Pres. Eyring: The only way you can be sure that a busy schedule doesn’t crowd out scripture study is to establish a regular time to study the scriptures. I have found that the beginning of the day and the end of the day are mine.
When I am in situations where I break out of the pattern, it’s hard on me. Once you get used to regular scripture study, you miss it if you don’t have it. It’s like food—you have to have it. I know that I need the scriptures like I need food. I don’t miss a regular meal, and I don’t miss regular scripture study.
For me at least, and I think my six children would agree, scripture study works well only if your children know you love the scriptures and they also know as individuals that you love them. Then whatever pattern you have will work. If scripture study is forced for either them or you, if your children feel pushed, or if you don’t really love the scriptures yourself, then scripture study doesn’t have as much power.
I’m blessed with a wife who absolutely loves the scriptures. If I ask her, “What would you like to do?” she says, “Oh, read me the scriptures.” I think our children sensed that it wasn’t a duty for us to read the scriptures—it was a pleasure."
Sister Neill Marriott of the General RS said, “Sometimes in the harbor of our homes, we can’t see that by the simple, consistent acts—including family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening—great things are brought to pass. But I testify that these very acts carry eternal significance."
Elder David A. Bednar said: “Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results” (“More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 19–20).
I know that when our family was growing up, we tried many, many different ways to read scriptures as a family. We tried before seminary, at dinnertime, at bedtime, right before each group went off to school. We were never perfect, but as I look back, at least our children can say that we tried. We tried and kept trying. I guess we thought that there would be the perfect time if we kept trying to figure it out. I see now that there is never “the perfect time”. My son in law spoke truth when he said, “I used to think that some days I was too busy to study my scriptures, but I changed my mindset this year. I've studied the Book of Mormon every day. I just had to make time for it. Does that mean giving up doing something else? Often it does, but it's worth it. It's prioritizing. The more I study, the easier it is for me to do so again, and I find myself wanting to take that time each day to study God's word, to learn, to feel the Spirit. One of the things that has made scripture study easier for me recently is giving myself permission to be "creative" with my scripture study time. In an ideal world, I would take an hour each day in a quiet room, begin with a prayer and study the scriptures. But the reality is different. I used to find myself thinking that if I couldn't get that ideal setting, then I couldn't study the scriptures, and so I missed a lot of days. But what I've done recently is studied the scriptures each day in whatever method is available and works for that time and setting. Sometimes it's brief. Other times it's longer. Sometimes I open paper scriptures. Other times I read them on my phone. And sometimes I even listen to the scriptures on my app. The point is, God has given us many methods for studying His word these days. I think what matters most is that we take advantage of one of those methods for some amount of time each day. The quality and depth of study will improve as time goes on.
So, my questions have been answered. The scriptures help me learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I want to learn about them because I want to be like Them. I want to be like Them because if I am like Them, I will love perfectly, make decisions perfectly, obey perfectly, and have complete happiness. And that sounds pretty good.