Lesson: The Importance of Daily Scripture Study

Today our Relief Society lesson was on the scriptures and the importance of daily scripture study. It was given by Amanda Hall.

What do Noah's Ark, the Liahona, and oil lamp and an iron rod all have in common?

They are all reminders in one way or another of how important the scriptures are in our lives. They fortify us, steady us, help us prepare for the future and give us strength. DAILY scripture feasting.

The Ark

We all need to build a personal ark, to fortify ourselves against this rising tide of evil, to protect ourselves and our families against the flood waters of iniquity around us. And we shouldn’t wait until it starts raining, but prepare in advance. This has been the message of all the prophets in this dispensation, as well as the prophets of old.

Unfortunately we don’t always heed the clear warnings of our prophets. We coast complacently along until calamity strikes, and then we panic.

When it starts raining, it is too late to begin building the ark. However, we do need to listen to the Lord’s spokesmen. We need to calmly continue to move ahead and to prepare for what will surely come. We need not panic or fear, for if we are prepared, spiritually and temporally, we and our families will survive any flood. Our arks will float on a sea of faith if our works have been steadily and surely preparing for the future. 

(Make Thee An Ark, October 1994)

The Liahona. The Liahona was an instrument of daily guidance for a people in the wilderness. As they heeded it's direction it continued to guide them. True and real guidance can come to us from the scriptures daily.

The Oil Lamp. The oil lamp reminds us of the story of the ten virgins. Five had wisely prepared for the coming of the bridegroom. Daily scripture study and daily prayer are drops of oil we can put in our lamp that others wouldn't be able to share with us when the time comes, if we have not prepared.

The Iron Rod. We are all familiar with the metaphor of the iron rod in Lehi's dream being the word of God, the one sure thing that we can grasp onto when times are uncertain and dark.

How should we study the scriptures

Look in the Topical Guide... Scriptures, Study of ...and what are the verbs related to scriptures study? Read, ponder, feast, search, meditate, ponder, seek, heed, treasure.

These are powerful actions verbs.

On this Fast Sunday we certainly can understand the need for feasting rather than starving our spiritual selves.

Why is it important to study daily?

Our emotions and actions are based on what we can remember. And what we constantly have in front of us is what we will remember.

We covenant every week to always remember the Savior. The bible tells us to remember him 210 times, the Book of Mormon 75, the Doctrine & Covenants 45! Daily we can come to him to learn of him, and then take that remembrance through the day.

That is why.

What works for you when it comes to scripture study?

Deb Eldridge testified that the word of God can become part of you. She calls it "How to get rich and take it with you." It's like gathering treasure a little at a time. She copies down scripture verses on 3x5 cards and keeps them with her. Then she memorizes them during daily tasks and you could too...while feeding the baby, doing dishes, driving the car, waiting in line, mowing the lawn, folding clothes, during your lunch etc....the list could go on. In this way she internalized scriptures. They often come into her mind now in good times and bad. She relies on them.

Other suggestions include:
- Pray for the desire to read the scriptures.
- Memorize the seminary scriptures with your teenager.
- While establishing the habit, use rewards or incentives for reading.
- In a notebook paste a page from some old scriptures and use the margins around to mark, cross-reference, journal and make notes.
- Use church manuals and other publications to supplement your understanding. (I love the Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families series...let me know if you want to borrow one. e)

If you have a suggestion for better scripture study, post a comment!

Blessings, even revelations can be yours

Look at the marvelous revelations that came to prophets after pondering scriptures. Lehi was pondering the things of God when he had his dream of the Tree of Life, Joseph Smith was studying the Bible when he decided to pray about which church to join and was blessed with the First Vision, in Section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants Joseph F. Smith records his vision of Christ's ministry among the dead after pondering the writings of Peter.

Thanks to Amanda for a great lesson and for her testimony of scripture study and of our Savior.

e