Why Study the Why Study the Scriptures?Scriptures?

Why Study the Why Study the Scriptures?Scriptures?

PProtection (1 Nephi 15:24)rotection (1 Nephi 15:24)

EEasier to feel the Spirit (1 Nephi 1:12)asier to feel the Spirit (1 Nephi 1:12)

AAll things that you should do (2 Nephi ll things that you should do (2 Nephi 32:3)32:3)

CCovenants (D&C 20:77,79).ovenants (D&C 20:77,79).

EEasier to feel the Spirit (1 Nephi 1:12)asier to feel the Spirit (1 Nephi 1:12)

“Whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:24).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Elder Dallin H. Oaks “Studying the “Studying the

Scriptures,” Nov. 24, Scriptures,” Nov. 24, 1985.1985.

““We often hear…that the scriptures have the We often hear…that the scriptures have the answers to all of our questions. Why is this answers to all of our questions. Why is this so?...Reading…the scriptures will…put us in so?...Reading…the scriptures will…put us in a position where we can obtain inspiration a position where we can obtain inspiration to answer any doctrinal or personal to answer any doctrinal or personal question, whether or not that question question, whether or not that question directly concerns the subject we are directly concerns the subject we are studying in the scriptures. studying in the scriptures.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Elder Dallin H. Oaks “Studying the “Studying the

Scriptures,” Nov. 24, Scriptures,” Nov. 24, 1985.1985.

That is a grand truth not understood That is a grand truth not understood by many….Again, even though the by many….Again, even though the scriptures contain no words to scriptures contain no words to answer our specific personal answer our specific personal questions, a prayerful study of the questions, a prayerful study of the scriptures will help us obtain such scriptures will help us obtain such answers.”answers.”

Elder David A. Bednar, Elder David A. Bednar, “Understanding the “Understanding the

importance of scripture importance of scripture study” study”

http://web.byui.edu/presentahttp://web.byui.edu/presenta

tionstionsI do not know of a better way to always remember him than to daily study the scriptures. That covenant is not an abstract notion. But it can be reflected in meaningful, personal prayer every morning every night and in diligent study of the scriptures.  I must admit that when I served as a stake president and interviewed literally hundreds of members of the church, especially in temple recommend interviews…

Elder David A. Bednar, Elder David A. Bednar, “Understanding the “Understanding the

importance of scripture importance of scripture study” study”

http://web.byui.edu/presentahttp://web.byui.edu/presenta

tionstionsOne of the questions is "Do you remember and keep the covenants you have made?" I do not recall anyone ever saying no. I do recall some people who when I would inquire further and ask about their scripture study, would say, "I do not have time." Then I would ask about their personal prayers, and the answer often was, “Well, I am not as consistent as I should be." On some occasions I would then inquire, "Do you, in fact, keep the covenant to always remember Him?"

Elder Robert D. Elder Robert D. Hales Hales

((EnsignEnsign, Nov. 2006, , Nov. 2006, 26-27). 26-27).

““When we want to speak to When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we want Him to speak to us, we

search the scriptures”search the scriptures”

Wendy Watson Nelson Wendy Watson Nelson “Let Your Spirit Take “Let Your Spirit Take

the Lead” the Lead” http://byuradio.orghttp://byuradio.org

One woman… was tutored to kneel in prayer, to One woman… was tutored to kneel in prayer, to thank her Heavenly Father for the scriptures, to thank her Heavenly Father for the scriptures, to request that the Spirit be with her as she read, and request that the Spirit be with her as she read, and then to tell the Lord what she needed from the then to tell the Lord what she needed from the scriptures that particular day—one question she scriptures that particular day—one question she needed answered, perhaps guidance in a needed answered, perhaps guidance in a relationship, perhaps confirmation of a decision. relationship, perhaps confirmation of a decision. She would then open her scriptures…She never had She would then open her scriptures…She never had to read very far…before the Spirit gave her the to read very far…before the Spirit gave her the answer she was seeking…I have related her answer she was seeking…I have related her experience to others who then tried the same experience to others who then tried the same experiment; the results have been astonishing. experiment; the results have been astonishing. Everything from financial problems to relationship Everything from financial problems to relationship concerns have been solved.”concerns have been solved.”

Elder Henry B. EyringElder Henry B. Eyring“Always”“Always”

http://speeches.byu.eduhttp://speeches.byu.edu I plead with you to return to the scriptures I plead with you to return to the scriptures in some way that opens your mind and in some way that opens your mind and heart to be taught…The Savior gave us the heart to be taught…The Savior gave us the scriptures, at a price paid by prophets we scriptures, at a price paid by prophets we cannot measure, so that we could know cannot measure, so that we could know Him. Lose yourself in them. Decide now to Him. Lose yourself in them. Decide now to read more and more effectively than you read more and more effectively than you have ever done before.have ever done before.

INVITATIONS

Pray about how long you should study for each day.

Choose a specific purpose in your scripture study.