“They Had Searched the Scriptures Diligently”

K. Douglas Bassett

1 Ne. 5:10; D&C 11:22; refer in this text to 1 Ne. 19:23; 1 Ne. 8:19, 24, 30; 2 Ne. 4:15-16

“May I suggest … a formula [in missionary work] that will insure your success: Search the scriptures with diligence! … Your confidence will be directly related to your knowledge of God’s word. Oh, I am sure you have heard of some missionaries who were lazy, less than effective, and anxious for their missions to conclude. A careful examination of such instances will reveal that the actual culprit is not laziness, nor disinterest, but is the foe known as fear. Our Father chastised such: ‘… with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man (D&C 60:2).’ Had not this same loving Heavenly Father provided a prescription to overcome this malady… . In a revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, January 2, 1831, the Lord declared: “… if ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). This is the key. Will you use it? Let me provide but one reference that has immediate application to our lives. In the Book of Mormon, the seventeenth chapter of Alma, we read the account of Alma’s joy as he once more saw the sons of Mosiah and noted their steadfastness in the cause of truth… . [Alma 17:2-3].” (Thomas S. Monson, Conference Report, Oct. 1969, pp. 93-94)
“To understand requires more than casual reading or perusal—there must be concentrated study… . Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference… . The important thing is to allow nothing else to ever interfere with our study… . There are some who read to a schedule of a number of pages or a set number of chapters each day or week… . It is better to have a set amount of time to give scriptural study each day than to have a set amount of chapters to read. Sometimes we find that the study of a single verse will occupy the whole time.” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1979, pp. 64-65)
“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel.” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 135)
“It is not enough to read the scriptures. Random reading results in reduced retention… . Our spirits should never be deprived of the much-needed spiritual nourishment which comes from scripture study. Without this spiritual food our spirits become starved and weakened to temptation. President Kimball taught the principle that ‘no father, no son, no mother, no daughter should get so busy that he or she does not have time to study the scriptures and the words of modern prophets.’ (Ensign, May 1976, p. 47).” (L. Lionel Kendrick, Ensign, May 1993, p. 14)
“When individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, … other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, p. 81)
“We should make daily study of the scriptures a lifetime pursuit… . The most important [thing] you can do … is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently… . Learn the doctrine. Master the principles… . You must … see that … searching the scriptures is not a burden laid upon [us] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 47)
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.” (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 17)
“Some may think that the language of the scriptures is too difficult for children, but … [w]e need to remember that the Lord has given children faculties for learning language even greater than those of adults… . It is good for children to hear their favorite passages of scripture, and their other favorite stories, too, over and over… . We should not bring up our children to respond to the exciting, the thrilling… . They are a titillation of the the nerves. To be moved is one thing; to be excited or titillated, a very different thing. If we bring up our children always to be wanting something new, … they will have to have a stronger [and stronger] stimulus each time until they finally [burst]. But if we inure our children to stability, to repetition, to normal life … , then they will live decent lives.” (Arthur Henry King, as quoted by Janette Hales Beckham, Ensign, Nov. 1997, p. 76)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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