Have you ever felt the language in the scriptures is hard to understand? Yet, we have been commanded by the Savior to “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
I wanted to understand the scriptures. I did not grow up in a home where the scriptures were taught, but I wanted to know the stories in them, and I wanted to be able to teach my children from the scriptures. How could I when I didn't know them? In a meeting at church, I remember hearing these words from President Benson: “There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception” (in Conference Report, Ensign, Oct. 1986, 7). Many years ago, I decided I wanted this power and these promises. Exercising a particle of faith, I began a deliberate pursuit to understand the scriptures more clearly.
My quest for understanding begins
I vividly remember the day many years ago, lying on my bedroom floor while my children napped. That day, I diligently started to read the Book of Mormon. Mostly, I was just reading the words, but I could feel their power; I could feel the peace and joy I found on its pages. There was so much I didn’t understand; so much felt unfamiliar and strange, and it seemed at times that I would never understand them.
My patriarchal blessing promises I would be able to understand the gospel from printed words, even the scriptures. The more I persisted, the more I could feel my faith and my testimony in Jesus Christ growing. The more I faithfully picked up my scriptures to read, the more I desired to understand the words. I began to seek a deeper understanding of doctrine, and over the years, my pursuit turned into a serious study of the scriptures.
My eyes and my heart begin to open
I soon came to recognize the beauty and power found in all books of scripture. In Alma 32:27 it says, 'But behold, if ye will awaken and arouse your faculties, even experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if you can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.” My goal of studying the scriptures became more than coming to know their stories; my purpose changed to digging deep into God’s word to come to know Him. I had more of a desire to be obedient, to live with more faith and to follow Jesus Christ. I felt comforted and reassured in the knowledge of His love for me and for my family.
I learn how to hear Him
Some questions I found helpful with my study are: What is the main idea? What does this passage teach me about Jesus Christ? How does this apply to my life today? Taking time to ponder and meditate on the words I had studied and read also changed the way I thought and lived. As Joshua counsels, “Thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
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Each time we study, we should ask for His help through prayer to understand what we read. The Lord promises, “For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth.” (3 Nephi 14:8) Asking seems simple, yet it reveals to Him our desires and our faith. It takes time and patience to understand all He has to teach us. I am still seeking, repenting and learning every day to hear the voice of the Lord. As I study and ponder, I like to write down feelings and impressions I have so that I can remember them. When we seek, the Lord truly does expand our understanding and prepares us to receive more. “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little there a little… for unto him that receiveth will I give more” (2 Nephi 28:30).
Over time and with consistent, intentional effort, I began to understand the scriptures. I understood more about Jesus Christ and His gospel, the magnitude of His Atonement, and our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The more I immersed myself in the scriptures, the more I could feel their words giving me the spiritual power I needed to respond to the troubles in my life. I could feel Christ’s words changing my heart and changing me. I could feel the power of my Savior’s Atonement healing my heart and filling it with hope and joy.
We must know Him to become like Him
Christ has given us the scriptures to reveal Himself to us through His word. He wants and desires us to personally know Him, obey Him and become like Him. I found through my studies that the more I came to know the Savior and who He is, the more He endowed me with power. Studying the scriptures has the power to impact our thoughts, words, attitudes and choices. I testify the scriptures have the divine power to change us from the inside out. Every answer we need in life, and the wisdom we need for every circumstance we face, is found in the scriptures.
The words of the song “Scripture Power” became very much a part of me: “Scripture power keeps me safe from sin. Scripture power is the power to win. Scripture power! Ev’ry day I need The power that I get each time I read.” (Clive Romney, Scripture Power, 2004)
I bear testimony that as we give time each day to the Lord in prayer and study, He will change and shape our lives, and we can more fully enjoy the blessings of Jesus Christ’s Atonement. He has given us the gift to be led by prophets who know, teach, and lead us by His words. As we truly give our lives to Jesus Christ, keep our covenants, and strive through our struggles to know Him and become like Him, He will bless our lives with power, courage and strength. He will give us reason to rejoice because of His gospel.