“Search the Scriptures Diligently,” Liahona, Apr 2009, 25
Teach the scriptures and quotations that will help the sisters you visit understand these principles. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.
Why Search the Scriptures?
President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95): “I commend to you the revelations of God as the standard by which we must live our lives and by which we must measure every decision and every deed. Accordingly, when you have worries and challenges, face them by turning to the scriptures and the prophets” (“Fear Not, Little Flock,” in 1988–89 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1989], 112).
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994): “Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul—these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. … Certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it. …
“… Recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings. Read them in your families and teach your children to love and treasure them” (“The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 82).
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985): “As you become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures, you will be more and more effective in keeping the second great commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself. Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up! After all, who has any greater need to ‘treasure up’ the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching?” (“The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 102).
How Can I Treasure the Scriptures?
2 Nephi 4:15: “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.”
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “One good way to start studying the scriptures is to ‘liken’ them to ourselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23). Some people start by choosing a subject in the Topical Guide that they need to know more about. Or they start at the beginning of a book of scripture and look for specific teachings. …
“Whichever way a person starts studying the scriptures, the key to unlocking important knowledge is to keep studying. I never tire of discovering the rich treasures of truth in the scriptures because they teach with ‘plainness, even as plain as word can be’ (2 Nephi 32:7). The scriptures testify of Christ (see John 5:39). They tell us all things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:3). They ‘make [us] wise unto salvation’ (2 Timothy 3:15).
“Through my scripture reading and the prayers that accompany my study, I have gained knowledge which brings me peace and helps me keep my energies focused on eternal priorities. Because I started reading the scriptures daily, I have learned about my Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and what I need to do to be like Them” (“My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 108–9).
President Thomas S. Monson: “The holy scriptures adorn our bookshelves. Make certain they provide nourishment to our minds and guidance for our lives” (“The Mighty Strength of the Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 95).
Photo illustration by Craig Dimond; background by Shannon Gygi Christensen
Molly’s Two Cents:
I remember as a young single woman, feeling like I really wanted to be able to read the scriptures in a way that would keep me focused on reading, yet, not put me in a position where I felt like I “had” to read them a certain way. I am kind of funny that way…if I feel like I have to do something, chances are that I won’t be too thrilled about doing it. But, on the other hand, if I have a choice of how or when I do it, then I am usually more likely to do it, and more enthused about it.
You know, once I decided that reading the scriptures my way was better than not reading them at all I found that I read more often and I read for longer periods of time each day. One of the messages I got from this months lesson is that as long as we are reading, it doesn’t matter where we start, how long we read, but that we liken them unto ourselves. I really liked what Sister Beck said…
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “One good way to start studying the scriptures is to ‘liken’ them to ourselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23). Some people start by choosing a subject in the Topical Guide that they need to know more about. Or they start at the beginning of a book of scripture and look for specific teachings. . . .
“Whichever way a person starts studying the scriptures, the key to unlocking important knowledge is to keep studying. I never tire of discovering the rich treasures of truth in the scriptures because they teach with ‘plainness, even as plain as word can be’ (2 Nephi 32:7). The scriptures testify of Christ (see John 5:39). They tell us all things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:3). They ‘make [us] wise unto salvation’ (2 Timothy 3:15).
“Through my scripture reading and the prayers that accompany my study, I have gained knowledge which brings me peace and helps me keep my energies focused on eternal priorities. Because I started reading the scriptures daily, I have learned about my Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and what I need to do to be like Them” (“My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 108–9).
The 4 Things that I Really Took From This Months Message:
- Recommit Ourselves To Reading the Scriptures
- Treasure The Scriptures
- Liken The Scriptures Unto Ourselves
- Pray
If we do these four things, we will be blessed, we will find comfort in our trials and worries, success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul, these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. As mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends, we all need to have the spirit and guidance of our Heavenly Father. We need to have his spirit to be with us, so that we can be examples to our husbands, children, siblings, parents and friends. We are the nurturers and care givers, which makes us the direct line between our families and friends and their closest and deepest connection to our Lord and Savior.
We must be the examples that we desire the most to have…I truly believe that if we do our very best to be a good example, and to do as the Lord would have us do, that we will be happy and we will find joy in even the simplest of things. We will earn our spot in Heaven.
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Thank you so much for your thoughts and testimony about Reading the Scriptures. I have found that because I can never “find” the time to read I have to “make” time to read them or they never get read and then another day goes by without being uplifted, edified and protected. I have tried many things, sitting and reading, listening, listening & following along. But what I found works for me is if I read them out loud and usually to my little baby. They say we should read to them anyways and I’m with him 24/7 so that’s what I’ve been doing and I get so much more out of it because I am actually paying attention while I read aloud. Plus, I also love it when my baby chimes in and tries to talk to me, it makes for some special moments. I track my progress with a printed reading chart and online with ReadTheScriptures.com because then I can see the progress my friends are making and it motivates me to read more when I know my friends are watching me too.
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