The Iron Rod: Need Some Scripture Motivation?

Promises Prophets Have Made About Reading the Scriptures. Which one do you need today?

RECEIVE REVELATION
Elder Gene R. Cook, Raising up a Family to the Lord, p. 109
One of the most important things learned in reading the scriptures is how to hear the voice of the Lord to us. Instruction comes not only from reading the words; when we prayerfully ponder them, the Lord can speak "between the lines" to us. In other words, he can speak to us about our current problems while we are reading the content of the scriptures. In fact, the very act of reading them (it almost doesn't matter where) seems to open the door to direction from the Lord if we approach our reading humbly. The scriptures are one of the greatest tools we have for communicating with the Lord. Elder Bruce R. McConkie once told me he had received more revelation while reading the scriptures than in any other way. I bear testimony that the same is true for me.
INCREASES FAITH AND INSPIRATION
“I think that people who study the scriptures get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can't be gained in any way except by studying the scriptures. There's an increase in faith and a desire to do what's right and a feeling of inspiration and understanding that comes to people who study the gospel–meaning particularly the standard works–and who ponder the principles, that can't come in any other way.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Church News, 24 Jan. 1976, p. 4)
THE HOLY GHOST WILL GUIDE US
“The years have taught me that if we energetically pursue this worthy personal goal [of scripture study] in a determined and conscientious manner, we shall experience the Holy Ghost broadening our understanding, find new insights, witness an unfolding pattern of all scripture; and the doctrines of the Lord shall come to have more meaning to us than we ever thought possible. As a consequence, we shall have greater wisdom with which to guide ourselves and our families so that we may serve as a light and source of strength to our nonmember friends with whom we have an obligation to share the gospel.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 135)
INCREASE OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS CHURCH
“I find that all I need to do to increase my love for my Maker and the gospel and the Church and my brethren is to read the scriptures. I have spent many hours in the scriptures during the last few days. I prescribe that for people who are in trouble. I cannot see how anyone can read the scriptures and not develop a testimony of their divinity and of the divinity of the work of the Lord, who is the spokesman in the scriptures.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 135)
RECEIVE OWN WITNESS
“Search the scriptures–search the revelations which we publish and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to magnify the truth unto you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on men for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet JS, pp. 11-12)
ANSWERS ALL QUESTIONS
“If your students are acquainted with the revelations, there is no question–personal or social or political or occupational–that need go unanswered. Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it.” (Boyd K. Packer, Teach the Scriptures, Address to Religious Educators, Oct. 13, 1977, p. 5)
POWER IN CALLINGS
“Let us not treat lightly the great things we have received from the hand of the Lord! His word is one of the most valuable gifts He has given us. I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings.”
(Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, p. 2)
TESTIMONIES WILL INCREASE
“Bend your efforts and your activities to stimulating meaningful scripture study among the members of the Church. Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these 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)
PERSONAL URIM AND THUMMIM
The idea that scripture reading can lead to inspiration and revelation opens the door to the truth that a scripture is not limited to what it meant when it was written but may also include what that scripture means to a reader today. Even more, scripture reading may also lead to current revelation on whatever else the Lord wishes to communicate to the reader at that time. We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation.
Because we believe that scripture reading can help us receive revelation, we are encouraged to read the scriptures again and again. By this means, we obtain access to what our Heavenly Father would have us know and do in our personal lives today. That is one reason Latter-day Saints believe in daily scripture study.”
(Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8)
DISTANCE TO GOD NARROWS
“I find that when I get casual in my relationship 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.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 135)
SCRIPTURE STUDY HELPS US DEVELOP A TESTIMONY OF THE SAVIOR: “I have a great love for the scriptures. I love reading about the mortal life of Jesus Christ. There is so much in His life that can lift and inspire and strengthen us in our times of need… In the choices we make in life, we need to know the Savior. His simple admonition 'Come … follow me' could transform human existence if we would let it. He has the power to make our burdens light if we will turn to Him. As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have the opportunity to bear testimony as a sacred witness of the Savior. My greatest desire is that my testimony might penetrate the hearts of those who hear it.” (Elder Robert D. Hales, “Special Witnesses of Christ”, Ensign, Apr. 2001, starts on p. 4)
SCRIPTURE STUDY HELPS DEVELOP A “SPIRITUAL MEMORY” IN THOSE WHO READ - “The holy scriptures represent mankind's spiritual memory. And when man's connection with scripture is severed, mortals are tragically deprived of an awareness of spiritual history, blinding the eyes of faith. Thereby shorn of true identity, mortals keep their legs intact, but each walks in his own way. Their arms are acquisitive, but do not reach out in an understanding embrace of life. Their ears function, but they no longer hear the word of the Lord. Though created in God's image, those thus severed soon forget their Maker.” (Neal A. Maxwell, “God Will Yet Reveal,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 52)
SCRIPTURE STUDY ENABLES US TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD – There are certain blessings that attend the study of the scriptures which are denied those whose studies and interests are in different fields. It is the study of the scriptures that enables men to receive revelations for themselves…. There is [a] way to hear the voice of the Lord, and, almost universally, it should be our first approach in seeking revelation…. If the Spirit bears witness to us of the truth of the scriptures, then we are receiving the doctrines in them as though they had come to us directly. Thus, we can testify that we have heard His voice and know His words. Let us now highly resolve that we will search the scriptures and make them a part of all that we do. (Bruce R. McConkie, New Era, Dec. 1985, 12-13)
WE STAND ON HOLY GROUND WHEN WE READ THE SCRIPTURESU - I, too, have a strong testimony of the divinity of the scriptures. I pray that the Lord will grant us entrance into them and that, when we enter therein, we will know that we stand on holy ground. (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, April 1988, 75)
SCRIPTURES HAVE ANSWERS BECAUSE READING THEM INCREASES OUR RECEPTIVITY TO THE SPIRIT - The scriptures can also help us obtain answers to highly specific personal questions. It is obvious, of course, that the scriptures do not contain a comprehensive list of specific answers to every question we could ask about a particular subject…. [But they do have answers to all of our questions]…. Even though [at times] the scriptures [may not contain] words to answer our specific personal question, a prayerful study of the scriptures will help us obtain such answers. This is because scripture study will make us susceptible to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost…by whose power we can 'know the truth of all things'. (Dallin H. Oaks, Studying the Scriptures, BYU-Hawaii Campus Devotional, 14 March 1986, 17-19)
ANSWERS TO ALL OF LIFE'S CHALLENGES, PROBLEMS, AND QUESTIONS ARE FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES - If your students are acquainted with the revelations [in the scriptures], there is no question–personal or social or political or occupational–that need go unanswered… Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it. (Boyd K. Packer, “Teach the Scriptures”, address to C.E.S., 14 Oct. 1977, p. 5)
SCRIPTURE STUDY PROVIDES A CALMING INFLUENCE AMIDST THE TURMOILS OF LIFE - Deep spiritual impressions come to us as we read the scriptures. Those impressions come long before we have read them all. The reading of the scriptures, whether from beginning to end, or following a subject from book to book, brings a tempering, soothing feeling to us, even in the midst of the turmoils of life. (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, December 1985, p. 53
SCRIPTURE STUDY IS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST BEING DECEIVED - Who is it that is deceived in this Church? Not the man who has been faithful in the discharge of duty; not the man who has made himself acquainted with the word of the Lord; not the man who has practiced the commandments given in these revelations; but the man who is not acquainted with the truth, the man who is in spiritual darkness, the man who does not comprehend and understand the principles of the gospel. Such a man will be deceived, and when these false spirits come among us, he may not understand or be able to distinguish between light and darkness. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 1:286.)
BRINGS UNDERSTANDING AND WARMTH
I promise you that if you will read the words of that writing which we call scripture, there will come into your heart an understanding and a warmth that will be pleasing to experience. 'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.' (John 5:39) read… the Gospel of John… Let the Lord speak for himself to you, and his words will come with a quiet conviction that will make the words of his critics meaningless. Read also the testament of the New World, the Book of Mormon, brought forth as a witness 'that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. (Book of Mormon Title Page) (CR, Apr. 1966, 87) Gordon B. Hinckley
FORTIFY THE SAINTS
"This is an answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life" ("The Power of the Word," Ensign, May 1986, 80). Pres. Ezra Taft Benson