Daily Scripture Study

In Joshua 1:8 we read, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but 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.” In the verse, the Lord counsels Joshua to meditate upon the law, or in other words to study the scriptures.

In modern times, Latter-day prophets counsel us to study the scriptures every day, both individually and with our families. When we study the scriptures we develop a better understanding of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Studying the scriptures gives us strength to over come our challenges, and provides protection against temptation. When we faithfully studying the scriptures, we are blessed. President Ezra Taft Benson said the following: “Studying and searching the scriptures is not a burden laid upon [Saints] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity. The Lord was not promising Joshua material wealth and fame, but that life would prosper in righteousness and that he would have success in that which matters most in life, mainly the quest to find true joy.” What a beautiful promise!

One of the biggest blessings I feel that I receive from studying my scriptures is spiritual protection. When I read my scriptures on a daily basis, I am protected from temptation and from the evils that surround me. In reading my scriptures I am protecting my spirit from sin, and from being lead away by the false teachings of the world. 

Our spirits need to be spiritually fed on a regular basis in order for us to receive this protection from the world. So many blessings can come into our lives if we will commit ourselves to regularly studying the word of the Lord. The following is a beautiful video narrated by Elder D. Todd Christofferson that talks about our spiritual need for sustenance.

Prayer, Revelation, and Supporting Church Leaders

This week in my personal scripture study, I read in the book of Numbers. I was particularly struck by Numbers chapter 11, in which Moses approached the Lord in prayer about his struggle in leading the Church and the children of Israel on his own. The Lord answered Moses’ prayer by commanding him to bring seventy Israelite men to come unto Him and the Lord’s Spirit came upon them and they prophesied.

This simple story taught me a couple different lessons. The first is the power of prayer. The Lord is concerned about our needs and wants to help and bless us if we will just reach out to Him. Elder Richard G. Scott said, “Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father.” What a powerful message!

The second lesson I learned from this story is that the Lord blesses us with gifts, such a revelation, to help carry out the work of His Church here on the earth. In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that the Lord continues to guide the Church through revelation to latter-day prophets. Prophets are the only people that can receive revelation for the Church as a whole, but they are not the only people who can receive revelation. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Only the president of the Church receives revelation to guide the entire Church. Only the stake president receives revelation for the special guidance of the stake. The person who receives revelation for the ward is the bishop. For a family, it is the priesthood leadership of the family. Leaders receive revelation for their own stewardships. Individuals can receive revelation to guide their own lives.” Moses received revelation from the Lord to choose seventy elders to help him bear the burden of leading the Church. Individuals receive revelation in today’s day and age to help lead and guide the Church as well, according to the Lord’s will.

The final lesson that I learned from this story comes from Numbers chapter 12. In this chapter, certain individuals became prideful and viewed themselves as being better than those who had been called to preside over them. This story teaches the importance of sustaining and supporting our Church leaders. The Lord calls prophets and apostles, through inspiration, to lead His Church. The Lord has given these leaders the authority to call others to serve in the Church. Remembering that all callings come from the Lord can help individuals resist becoming prideful, and be willing to subject to the priesthood leaders God has chosen to preside over us.

Commandments From The Lord

Taken from ldsnest.com

In ancient times, the Lord revealed to Moses the Ten Commandments. These commandments provided guidance for the children of Israel on not only what they couldn’t do, but also what they should do. It can be easy to look at commandments from the Lord as a list of restrictions. It is important, however, to look at them instead as guidance from the Lord that is meant to protect us, and help us become better people.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Commandments are a blessing, my brothers and sisters, because our Father in heaven has given them to us in order to help us grow and develop the qualities we must have if we are to obtain eternal life and dwell with him. By keeping his commandments, we qualify for his blessings.” When we view the commandments with an eternal perspective, we realize that the commandments we receive from the Lord are given to us to help us become more like Him.

In striving to become more like Him, it is important to be diligent in our obedience to keeping all of the commandments of the Lord. When we follow them with exactness, we will receive promised blessings from the Lord. It is also important to not “pick and choose” which commandments we want to follow. President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “You will encounter people who pick which commandments they keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments.”

I know that the Lord gives us commandments to help prepare us to return to His presence and obtain eternal life. Because of this, I am able to view the commandments we have been given as blessings rather than burdens. The commandments of the Lord help us learn how to overcome the natural man and become more like our Savior and Heavenly Father. I’m grateful for the commandments that we have received through the word of the Lord, both in scripture and through the words of latter-day prophets.  

Eternal Marriage

When I reflect on the happiest days of my life, I can't help but smile and think of August 26, 2011. That hot, summer day was the day that I married my husband, Parker, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. I think most people reflect back to their wedding day with fondness and happy memories. Getting married is such a large milestone in everyone's life. When I think of my wedding day, I think of being surrounded by my family and friends. I think of our beautiful ceremony and reception, and all of the people that were in attendance to show their love and support for Parker and I. However, what I think of most when I think of my wedding day was the feeling that I felt when I knew that I could be with Parker forever.

In The Family: A Proclamation to the World we read that "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally." In a traditional wedding ceremony, the words "till death do us part" are spoken. In an LDS wedding ceremony inside a temple of the Lord, however, the words "for time and all eternity" are spoken. Because Parker and I were sealed in the temple by priesthood authority, our union with each other will continue even after we die. What a beautiful blessing!

In the Old Testament we read of the story of Abraham sending his servant to Mesopotamia, Abraham's former homeland, to find a wife for his son Isaac. Abraham was desirous that Issac marry within the covenant so that he and his wife, and their posterity could receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and eternal marriage. The journey from Canaan to Mesopotamia was a very long and strenuous trip. The fact that Abraham asked his servant to make that long, hard journey demonstrates the importance of marrying within the covenant, or having an eternal marriage. It is worth sacrificing in order to obtain the blessings that come from an eternal marriage in the house of the Lord.

What are we willing to sacrifice in order to obtain an eternal marriage? Are we willing to put off the natural man and keep the commandments of the Lord? Are we striving daily to keeping the covenants we may have already made with Heavenly Father? In an eternal marriage we can find true happiness. We can be with our spouse and children forever. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to receive this wonderful blessing?