Hugh Nibley is reported to have read the Book of Mormon eleven times before the age of twelve. He was out of the blocks so early, that no scholar since has been able to catch him. He had learned wisdom in his youth with such diligence that he was studying concepts in college which most of us never understand in an entire lifetime. His conclusion after a lifetime of Book of Mormon study was as follows:
“It has been a steady diet of Book of Mormon and no other food is so invigorating. It is the bread of life in the most digestible form.” (LeGrand Richards, BYU Speeches of the Year, Feb. 10, 1960, p. 7)
Thomas S. Monson
"As I look at you youth, I think not only of what you are, but of what you may become. I also remember who you are, and I plead with you to do likewise. You are the sons and daughters of Almighty God. Each of you has a destiny to fulfill, a life to live, a contribution to make, a goal to achieve. The future of the kingdom of God upon the earth will, in part, be determined by your devotion.
"When this perspective is firmly in mind, you can appreciate the absolute necessity of diligence in this, your period of preparation. Neglect to prepare and you mortgage your future.
"…these challenging times will require your finest efforts. A half-hearted effort will not suffice. You must labor with your might.
"This is your world. Whether you like it or not, you are engaged in the race of your life. At stake is eternal life—yours. What shall be the outcome? Will you be a leader of men and a servant of God? Or will you be a servant of sin and a follower of Satan? Decisions determine destiny. In the quiet of your study, surrounded by books written by the finest minds of men, listen for and hearken to the Master’s invitation: ’…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’ (Matthew 11:29-30.) Such learning transcends the classroom, it endures beyond graduation, it meets the test of experience.’ (Pathways To Perfection, p. 252-3)
Spencer W. Kimball
“Charting the course prevents one from living an unplanned haphazard life—a tumbleweed existence.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 233-4 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 323)
Ezra Taft Benson
“Satan knows that youth is the springtime of life when all things are new and young people are most vulnerable…Youth is a period of timelessness when the horizons of age seem too distant to be noticed. Thus, the now generation forgets that the present will soon be the past, which one will look back upon either with sorrow and regret or joy and cherished experiences. Satan‘s program is ’play now and pay later.’ He seeks for all to be miserable like unto himself. The Lord’s program is happiness now and joy forever through gospel living.” (Church News, 12/14/91)