Taught by Becky Stewart
Sister Stewart started her lesson by talking about how this lesson is meant to encourage scripture study--not meant to make anyone feel bad. She then told us a story about a home teacher who once was asked by his bishop to see how the families that he home teaches were doing on their scripture study. At one home he went to he was told, "I have read the scriptures and I know the scriptures--I don't need to read them anymore." Sister Stewart asked us to think about this story and what we would say as a visiting teacher to a sister who might say this to us.
She then shared a quote from President Hunter:
Central to all truth is the testimony that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Great Jehovah, the Savior of the World, and the Only Begotten Son of the Living God. This is the message of the scriptures. Throughout each of these holy books there is an appeal to believe and have faith in God the Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ; and from the first to the last of these books of scripture is the call to do the will of God and keep his commandments.2
When we follow the counsel of our leaders to read and study the scriptures, benefits and blessings of many kinds come to us. This is the most profitable of all study in which we could engage. …
Sister Stewart talked about how we should always look for promises from prophets because they will not lie to us. We have been promised that if we study scriptures we will have more of the spirit in our lives and in our homes. Sister Stewart asked us to think about what profitable means--and what that would look like in our lives--and that one day we may be accountable for our study today. She asked us what the best way is to find out what God has revealed.
She then had read Doctrine and Covenants 84: 43-47:
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
And another quote from President Hunter:
As one of the Lord’s servants, I challenge you to do the following:
1. Read, ponder, and pray over the scriptures daily as individual members of the Church.
2. Hold family scripture reading on a regular basis. We commend those of you who are already doing this and urge those of you who have not yet started to begin doing so without delay. …
Sister Stewart then led a discussion about how we have success of scripture study as families--answers included:
-Father playing the piano to wake up family for scripture study
-Note for a family member who wasn't there for scripture study so they could catch up on their own.
-Changing times for study as schedules change
-Do it over the phone when husband is traveling
-Vary lengths if needed but have consistency
-Switch it up through maps and cross references
-When family is facing a big decision have every member look in the scriptures for answers to that decision and share with each other--incorporate the why and get the kids to love the scriptures
-Colored pencils for the kids--always highlight God and Jesus
Then Sister Stewart shared another quote from President Hunter:
Reading habits vary widely. There are rapid readers and slow readers, some who read only small snatches at a time and others who persist without stopping until the book is finished. Those who delve into the scriptural library, however, find that to understand requires more than casual reading or perusal—there must be concentrated study. It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference.
There is nothing more helpful than prayer to open our understanding of the scriptures. Through prayer we can attune our minds to seek the answers to our searchings. The Lord said: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9). Herein is Christ’s reassurance that if we will ask, seek, and knock, the Holy Spirit will guide our understanding if we are ready and eager to receive.
Many find that the best time to study is in the morning after a night’s rest has cleared the mind of the many cares that interrupt thought. Others prefer to study in the quiet hours after the work and worries of the day are over and brushed aside, thus ending the day with a peace and tranquillity that comes by communion with the scriptures.
Perhaps what is more important than the hour of the day is that a regular time be set aside for study. It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful. The important thing is to allow nothing else to ever interfere with our study.
Some prefer to study alone, but companions can study together profitably. Families are greatly blessed when wise fathers and mothers bring their children about them, read from the pages of the scriptural library together, and then discuss freely the beautiful stories and thoughts according to the understanding of all. Often youth and little ones have amazing insight into and appreciation for the basic literature of religion.
We should not be haphazard in our reading but rather develop a systematic plan for study. There are some who read to a schedule of a number of pages or a set number of chapters each day or week. This may be perfectly justifiable and may be enjoyable if one is reading for pleasure, but it does not constitute meaningful study. 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.
Sister Stewart then shared a personal favorite scripture Alma 33:23
23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree,springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.
She talked about how much the "if" stands out to her in that scripture. She then shared from the scriptures the story in Mark 5:22-24:
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thyhands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
We then talked about this story as a class--and dissected how much information was just in these three versus.
She then referenced us back to her original question at the first of the lesson, "What would you say to a sister who felt she no longer needed to read the scriptures?" Answers included:
-You can always see scriptures from different angles
-You don't know the scriptures as well if you aren't constantly reading them
-You will have a greater portion of the spirit when you study your scriptures regularly
-There is a protection that comes/as well as other blessings from regularly studying the scriptures
-Answers to other issues can be revealed through scriptures study--when your mind is in a place to receive inspiration
Sister Stewart finished her lesson by bearing her testimony about the scriptures and the blessing they can be in our lives.
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