Our Students & Scripture Study

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning handbook we read: “There are few things teachers can do that will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of their students than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them on a daily basis” (p. 20).  I add my personal witness to this statement.

I was raised as a Latter-day Saint in southern Idaho, my entire life was centered around our family’s Latter-day Saint culture; nearly all my friends were LDS, my closest friends were definitely LDS, I went to seminary, my high school principal was my Bishop, I think

Portland, Oregon

you get the picture of my youth in southern Idaho, it was good, very good. Mid way through high school my father’s job took us to Portland, Oregon. The high school I attended was no longer predominantly LDS, and I started to flounder; not in my testimony, I knew the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true—and still do, but my choices were not consistent with what I knew, and I struggled.

Then a miracle occurred, I was assigned to attend Sister Lucinda Shauffner’s early morning seminary class. Well, actually, two miracles occurred, my parents would not let me have a car to drive to school unless I attended seminary and I was assigned to Sister Shauffner’s seminary class.

I hauled my sorry self to seminary, sat stupidly every day, until one particular day I will never, ever forget. On this day I came into seminary a bit early, which was a rarity for me, and Sister Shauffner came to me and after some pleasantries simply said, “Sam, I love you and am so glad you make it to seminary every day,” I smiled, felt a little sheepish for coming late so often, then she said, “I know we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year, but would you do me a favor?” Knowing her expression of love was genuine, I said, “Yes, of course,” she then said, “Would you read the Book of Mormon and tell me how it goes?” Again, because I could feel her genuine love, care and concern, I said “Ya, I will.”

That very afternoon after school was over I began my first sincere personal study of the Book of Mormon. From then on out I awoke each day to read the Book of Mormon before getting ready for seminary and school. It was as if someone had turned on a light switch in my life. When I accidently slept in, I could not wait to read the Book of Mormon right after school. I would often read it late at night after a fun evening with friends. The fog of sin and unhappiness began to lift and I was finally feeling alive in a way I had never felt in my short 17 years in mortality!

Then the day came when I finished my study of the Book of Mormon. I told Sister Shauffner I had completed it that morning before seminary. She was as genuinely excited about my completion of the book as I was! Then she said, “So did you do it, did you pray about it like Moroni says to do at the end?” and I was dumbstruck! No, I had not! I never really thought about praying about it because I had already felt the truth of the book as I read it and somehow already knew it was true. I told her that no, I had not prayed about it. She then said, “Sam, that is the next thing you need to do, will you do it?” I said yes, without hesitation.

I pondered the prayer I was going to offer all day while at school. I actually considered Moroni’s words about asking if it is not true since I already knew it was true. Immediately after school I went to my room, reviewed a few chapters from the Book of Mormon I had learned to love, then locked my door, and knelt in prayer with the Book of Mormon in my hands. I will never forget the warmth of truth I felt around me as I prayed. The feeling of the Spirit’s presence was so palpable I actually peeked to see if I would see the Lord Himself there embracing me. I did not see Him but I felt Him. I knew and I have known ever since that sacred moment that it is all true. I have prayed many times as I have completed the Book of Mormon to know if it is not true, and nearly each time I have heard those words the Lord uttered to Oliver Cowdery, “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:23). And I do know; I know the Book of Mormon is true! I am so very grateful for the day a sweet, humble seminary teacher asked me to read the wrong book for seminary, it has made all the difference!

In the October 2013 General Conference, President Boyd K. Packer shared the following:

“Years ago, Elder S. Dilworth Young of the Seventy taught me a lesson about reading the scriptures. A stake was struggling with tensions and difficulties among the members, and counsel needed to be given.

“I asked President Young, ‘What should I say?’

“He answered simply, ‘Tell them to read the scriptures.’

“I asked, ‘Which scriptures?’

“He said, ‘It really doesn’t matter. Tell them to open up the Book of Mormon, for instance, and begin to read. Soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself.’

“Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment” (italics added, “The Key to Spiritual Protection, Oct. 2013 Gen Con).

Back to where I began today: “There are few things teachers can do that will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of their students than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them on a daily basis” (italics added). I testify that such is true. May we lead our students to do so is my prayer for this entire institute program and the students we serve. Please help your students to develop a love for and of the scriptures, it will be the one thing we can offer that will bless them, their children, their children’s’ children and so on.

A few quotes on scripture study from the Prophets and Apostles from the October 2013 General Conference

President Thomas S. Monson: Allied with prayer in helping us cope in our often difficult world is scripture study. The words of truth and inspiration found in our four standard works are prized possessions to me. I never tire of reading them. I am lifted spiritually whenever I search the scriptures. These holy words of truth and love give guidance to my life and point the way to eternal perfection.

As we read and ponder the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls. We can find answers to our questions. We learn of the blessings which come through keeping God’s commandments. We gain a sure testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us. When scripture study is combined with our prayers, we can of a certainty know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

…. As we remember prayer and take time to turn to the scriptures, our lives will be infinitely more blessed and our burdens will be made lighter.

….As we seek our Heavenly Father through fervent, sincere prayer and earnest, dedicated scripture study, our testimonies will become strong and deeply rooted. We will know of God’s love for us. We will understand that we do not ever walk alone. I promise you that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you. (italics added, “We Never Walk Alone”).

President Henry B. Eyring: As a quorum member, as a home teacher, and as a missionary, you cannot help people repair spiritual damage unless your own faith is vibrant. That means far more than reading the scriptures regularly and praying over them. The prayer in the moment and quick glances in the scriptures are not preparation enough. The reassurance of what you will need comes with this counsel from the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man” (italics added, “Bind Up Their Wounds”).

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again. When they receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God, they can feel His power in their lives. When they enter the holy temple, they sense they are in His presence. When they read the holy scriptures and live the teachings of His prophets, they grow closer to the Savior they love so much (italics added, “Come, Join with Us”).

President Boyd K. Packer: A short time ago, I sealed a young couple in the temple. This couple had kept themselves worthy to arrive at the marvelous day when a son and a daughter leave the homes of their youth and become husband and wife. On this sacred occasion, they were pure and clean. In due course, they will begin to raise children of their own, consistent with the pattern established by our Father in Heaven. Their happiness, and the happiness of future generations, depends upon living those standards established by the Savior and set forth in His scripture.

….Children taught an understanding of the scriptures early in life will come to know the path they should walk and will be more inclined to remain on that path. Those who stray will have the ability to return and, with help, can find their way back. (italics added, “The Key to Spiritual Protection”).

Elder L. Tom Perry: The power of our teacher’s words has been a source of inspiration to me because of the emphasis she placed on gospel study. The scriptures guide us to a standard of truth by which we can judge the knowledge we are receiving, whether it be true or false. True doctrine comes from God, the source and foundation of all truths. The teachings and concepts of true doctrine are found in the gospel of our Lord and Savior. False teachings come from Satan, the father of all lies. His desire is to pervert, change, and alter revealed truths. He wants to deceive us so some of us will lose our way along the journey back to our heavenly home. The scriptures teach us how to avoid false teachings (italics added, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith”).