Nary a Sunday goes by that we don't hear how we should read our scriptures every day. It was not so when I was growing up, but somehow I knew.
Finally, my junior year in college, I decided I would give it a try. I started with the Doctrine and Covenants; it seemed the easiest to read and understand. Every night I would read in my bed, but it wasn't really reading. My eyes would follow the words while my mind was thinking about other things.
I didn't get a lot out of that very casual reading, but there is one thing I got: converted.
I got a sure and absolute testimony of the gospel, free and independent of my parents. I knew for myself, without any doubt.
What great and generous blessings come from Heaven when we offer our little loaves and fishes of obedience.
The next couple of years I read a minimum of ten pages a day, including the Old Testament.
I haven't always kept up a regular reading schedule, but I have found that my life is palpably different when I am committed to reading.
When we pray, we speak to God.
When we read the scriptures, He speaks to us.
Someone put it this way:
"As I open the scriptures, I think, in a way, 'You've Got Mail.' And I wonder what God has to say to me today. Almost inevitably, I discover some scriptural note with my name on it--a specific message from a loving Savior and Father, hand-tucked into a stack of celestial memos pre-dating me but post-dated for my needs." Karen Merkley
Every day I check my e-mail for messages from people I love.
Every day I read my scriptures for messages from Above.
You might want to check.
I'll bet You've Got Mail.
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4 comments:
You are killing me with your fabulous quotes and words of wisdom! Maybe it is your wonderful life experiences that I'm afraid I don't have or don't remember. I want to be like you mom!
I am going to go check for mail!
What an excellent way to make scripture reading desireable. I especially like the part about the great and generous blessings that come from our little fishes of obedience. I should do it if for no other reason than to be obedient, why haven't I ever thought of it that way? I'm a chump. Thanks for the inspiration (as usual).
Just today a friend was telling me about how he wasn't receiving answers to his prayers about the next phase of his life. He couldn't figure out what the Lord wanted for him. When he confessed his concern to his bishop, the first thing he asked was, "Have you been keeping up on your scripture study?" At first this seemed to be questioning whether he was living worthy of receiving answers. Now I understand the scriptures are the place which answers are found.
Once again, you've taught me truth. I have a wonderful mom. To mimick Jenn's sentiments... "I want to be like you!"
Words of wisdom indeed! I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said. Ditto, ditto, ditto, and thank you again for sharing your wisdom!
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