In our church we have answers to questions that we often call “Sunday school answers.” These answers can be applied liberally to many gospel questions about improvement, spirituality, obtaining eternal life and coming unto Christ. They are simple, obvious, and ubiquitous. They are a gospel example of a principle taught in the Book of Mormon that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. One of these answers, no more or no less important than the others, is the subject of my talk: Study the scriptures.
It is important to emphasize that this topic is not simply a Sunday school answer; it is a commandment. Christ himself commanded: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). Scriptures are at the very center of our Gospel. They were at the center of Christ's ministry. It is scripture that Christ used to resist temptation, and it is with scripture that he described his divine mission. Scriptures were at the very forefront of the restoration. It was the translation of a book of scripture that Joesph Smith was to make his first priority. This particular book of scripture he would describe as “the keystone of our religion”, and “the most correct of any book on earth” (BOM introduction). It is a book of scripture that our missionaries carry with them and present to investigators on first contact. It should be no surprise then, that the scriptures are always included in God's work; for it is the scriptures that will make us “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ”(2 Timothy 3:15). It would also follow that if God has scriptures at the center of his dealings, We, striving to be like him, should put them at the center of ours.
The way we do this is through daily scripture study. Set aside a time to study, find a place where you can concentrate and where you can hear the spirit. Guard this sacred time jealously. It's effect and import are significant; and your need for the blessings crucial. Spencer W. Kimball stated:
“The years have taught me that if we will energetically pursue this worthy personal goal [to study the scriptures] in a determined and conscientious manner, we shall indeed find answers to our problems and peace in our hearts. We shall experience the Holy Ghost broadening our understanding, find new insights, witness an unfolding pattern of all scripture; and the doctrines of the Lord shall come to have more meaning to us than we ever thought possible. As a consequence, we shall have greater wisdom with which to guide ourselves and our families."
I, like Nephi, was born to goodly parents who were dedicated to the scriptures. When I was young, my mother was called to teach early morning seminary in our Ward (Like Eureka, Santa Fe, NM did not have release time seminary). With school, after school activities, work, and now early morning seminary, time for family scripture study and prayer was sparse. My wise parents knew that the scriptures were not to be set aside, but placed at the forefront of our family. To make this possible, my parents would wake us at 4:30 am in the morning, every morning, and we would congregate in the living room to read the scriptures. My brothers and sister and I were never very enthusiastic about this idea but it did not concern my parents. In fact, they never asked our opinion. They knew what scripture study meant to a family. They knew they needed those blessings and protections. They knew the effect it would have on their children, even if they were trying to sleep through it. They understood it as a commandment of our Savior. I can testify beyond doubt, that my family was blessed, individually and collectively, for these early morning scripture studies.
My parents remind me of King Benjamin, the book of Mormon prophet and a king of the Nephites. Before his enlightening speech to his people (which I highly recommend as a subject of one of your studies), we are given a short glimpse into his familial efforts. Benjamin has three sons. He has taught these sons throughout their lives to be righteous and upright people. We are given a 6 verse glimpse into these teachings. Because we are only given one 6 verse glimpse, I think that indicates it is what was most important. Benjamin instructs:
“My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.
4 For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.
5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby... (Mosiah 1:3-7)
What we have recorded of the great King Benjamin's teachings to his sons is his testimony of the scriptures and his admonition to study and know them.
If you had six versus to share with your posterity what you felt was most important, what would you have recorded?
With My families tight and busy schedule, we had little time together, a metaphorical 6 versus each day for my parents to teach us. Like Benjamin, they dedicated that time to scripture study and prayer.
On the subject of Prayer, it is important to note the symbiotic relationship between it and scripture study. In a revelation to Oliver Cowdrey the Lord instructs:
Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not.
Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you. (D&C 8:10-11)
Later, in a revelation to Joseph Smith a similar message is delivered:
If thou ask shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peacable things – that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life. (D&C 42:61)
God will speak to us and reveal his mysteries through the scriptures. To facilitate this communication it is important that we open the line of communication first. Jesus emphasizes this order, “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth;and he that seeketh findeth; and him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8)
Prayer and Scripture study are like an epoxy. When each of the components are put together they form a powerful bond, a bond that will hold your testimony against the doubt and trials that come. Ask the Lord to show you what he would have you know, and then seek his response in the scriptures.
A final suggestion to improve our scripture study. Nephi suggests that we “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1Nephi 19:23). From this we often place ourselves in situations found within the scripture, asking what we would do, or how the question posed applies to us. Remember, likening can also mean that we place the scriptures in situations found in our life. The less convoluted way of saying this is “Do what the scriptures teach”. Even more obvious, and a fellow member of the Sunday School answers is “Keep the commandments”! Christ said to the Nephites:
Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me. (3 Nephi 15:10).
In the Sermon on the Mount he told the story of the wise man and foolish man as an example of those who hear and do and those who hear and don't (Matthew 7:24-27). The scriptures are given for our instruction (D&C 33:16), it would behoove us to follow the instructions in order to build our spirituality. 'He that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue” (D&C 42:60). Dallin H. Oaks of the quorum of the twelve taught:
“The conversion [Jesus] required for those who would enter the kingdom of heaven was far more than just being converted to testify to the truthfulness of the gospel. To testify is to know and to declare. The gospel challenges us to be ‘converted,’ which requires us to do and to become. If any of us relies solely upon our knowledge and testimony of the gospel, we are in the same position as the blessed but still unfinished Apostles whom Jesus challenged to be ‘converted’ ” (“The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 33).
Uniting prayer and action with scripture study is critical to avoiding false interpretations and the philosophies of men. It is no secret man has used the bible to construct elaborate doctrines, ideas, and churches from it's pages. These churches alight on the tree of life, borrow from it, or try to add to it and then set themselves comfortably before man. There is no shortage. Prayer will open us up to communications from God and connect us to the Spirit of truth who “will guide you unto all truth” (John 16:13). Keeping the commandments will strengthen that relationship with the holy Spirit and will grant us confirmation that we are following truth. Christ taught: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). For our own good, knowing of the doctrine should be our priority. Evidence of scripture study gone array (and by gone array I mean: uninspired and hypocritical), is not hard to find. Both Alma and Peter have warned: “Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.” (Alma 13:20, 2 Peter 3:16).
It is my prayer that each of us can find the joy that comes from studying the scriptures. That we can see great things come to pass in our lives and families from this small and simple effort. I pray that our souls can delight in the scriptures and our hearts ponder them continually. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
