"However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the Scriptures"
The lesson this week was titled, “The Power of the Word of God.” I started the lesson with an object lesson. I showed the class an old, dried out sponge. It was hard and rigid, or as they say in the scriptures hard hearted and stiff-necked. Some examples in the scriptures of rigid sponges are Lamen and Lemuel, the evil king Noah, and Korihor. President Ezra Taft Benson talks about how the word of God 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. In other words, becoming like that dry sponge.
As we gain power of God by reading and studying His words our hearts begin to fill with what we have learned. As I explained this I poured water on the sponge. Soon we are so filled we begin to “ooze” what we have filled our souls with. Our testimonies flow easily.
In class we spent some time talking about what a blessing it is that we have these words so readily available to us. It is not only written, but on the internet, there are apps, audio versions and television re-broadcasts all the time. Any time we have a question we can find the answer pretty easily.
President Benson says that out of all the responsibilities we have in life the most important thing is to nourish our souls by studying His word. We must study personally and as a family. President Benson promises us that as we immerse ourselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently other areas of trouble in our lives will fall into place. Testimonies will increase. Personal revelation will flow. Commitment will be strengthened. Why do you think scripture study would lead to such results?
We are also taught that saints must see studying as a marvelous blessing and opportunity, not as a burden laid upon them by the Lord. I asked how we can help a friend or family member who feels studying the scriptures is a burden. As the class gave ideas I pulled out another dried up sponge and laid it next to the first “oozing” sponge. When your testimony of scripture study if so great that it “oozes” it cannot help but affect those around you. It becomes a part of who you are. Slowly the dry sponge soaked up some of the “oozing” sponge’s water until it wanted to learn more for itself. We can be instruments in the Lords hands in many ways.
I want to share one of my favorite ideas from President Benson. He says,”however talented men may be in administrative matters; however eloquent they may be in expressing their views; however learned they may be in the worldly things – they will be denied the sweet whisperings of the Spirit that might have been theirs unless they pay the price of studying, pondering, and praying about the scriptures.” It is hard for me to think that I may have missed out on sweet whisperings that were meant for me because I wasn’t immersed in the scriptures as I should have been. Also, what does it mean to pay the price of studying?
In closing I urged the class to do as President Benson did when he said, “His word is one of the most valuable gifts He has given! 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 lives.”
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