Why do we read the scriptures

Teach me your statutes. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. To guard yourself from false teachings and false teachers. Remember, I have told you ahead of time.

To spend time with the Lord. He holds success in store for the upright , he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. You will be convicted more of sin. To know more about our beloved Savior Jesus, the cross, the gospel, etc.

No one goes to the Father except through me. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

To give us encouragement. Do we feast on them, delight in them, and ponder them as Nephi taught? See 2 Nephi — Do we liken them unto ourselves as Jacob counseled? See 2 Nephi Do we recognize them as one of the sweetest, most sublime blessings we have?

Do you make use of this power in your life? In some translations it even says that Scripture is God-breathed. Have you ever thought about this? The Bible is inspired by God Himself! Imagine that you go a day without eating anything. Then a week. And a month. As time goes on, you become weaker and weaker. Our bodies need nourishment to live. It is through our spirit we can have contact with God. Our spirit is what will enter eternity and it needs nourishment to be alive and awake to the will of God.

Alma In later verses it indicates that when they were slothful and disobedient, the Liahona no longer provided the direction that was needed.

Look at verse Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. Alma We have just read about the importance of personal prayer, the Liahona that provided direction, and how the Liahona worked to provide direction. Let's begin reading in verse And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass now these things were temporal they did not prosper even so it is with things which are spiritual.

For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type of this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ , if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

Alma , emphasis added Thus, Alma teaches us in this chapter that personal prayer and scripture study provide direction in our lives just as the Liahona provided guidance to Lehi and his family in the wilderness. By way of review, the first reason for studying the scriptures is the covenants we have made. The second reason is the word of Christ as contained in the scriptures will provide the direction we need in our lives. Revelation is the third doctrinal reason for studying the scriptures.

Scripture study is a preparation for and prerequisite to receiving personal revelation. Let us think for a moment of the experience of the Prophet Joseph Smith. What was it that preceded the First Vision? Joseph attended a number of religious revivals and was confronted with confusing and competing claims.

In the midst of the confusion, and as he was striving to find which of all the churches he should join, he read in James: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;. Joseph was studying the scriptures. I would admonish you to read at a later time in the Joseph Smith History about the impact of that verse of scripture upon the young boy Joseph Smith.

He reflected upon it over and over again. He stated that never before had a verse of scripture entered into his heart and soul with such impact as that verse did at that time. Scripture study preceded the First Vision. I would like you to turn to Section 13 of the Doctrine and Covenants; I will use this section as an illustration of how the work of translating the golden plates preceded many revelations.

We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month May, , we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates.

It was during the work of translating the golden plates, while seeking to understand the need for the ordinance of baptism and having a question about proper authority, that Joseph and Oliver decided to inquire of the Lord. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying,.

What was it that preceded the visitation of John the Baptist and the conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood? Scripture study. Later in his ministry, the Prophet Joseph Smith received the assignment to review and translate the Bible.

During his work on that translation, he inquired of the Lord on numerous occasions. These are just a few examples of the revelations that were received: Section 76 the vision pertaining to the degrees of glory; Section 77 insights into the revelation of John ; Section 91 information about the Apocrypha ; Section eternal marriage.

All of these revelations came as a result of his work in translating the Bible. Here are two assignments for you. First, in your personal study, see if you can learn how many and specifically which revelations presently contained in the Doctrine and Covenants came as a result of Joseph's work of translating the Book of Mormon.

Second, see if you can determine specifically which revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants came as a result of his work in translating the Bible. As you undertake these assignments, you will quickly learn that the vast majority of the revelations presently contained in the Doctrine and Covenants came in connection with the work of translating these two volumes of scripture. What preceded revelation? Please turn to Section in the Doctrine and Covenants.

This is the revelation in which Joseph F. Smith learned about the organization of the work of proclaiming the gospel in the spirit world. This verse contains tremendous insight about the relationship between scripture study and receiving revelation. We will not take the time now to detail those insights. But I encourage you, at a later time, to look at, study, and understand what is contained in Section as it relates to scripture study and receiving revelation.

Again, let me summarize the three reasons why scripture study is so important: 1 It is one of the major ways whereby we keep our covenant to always remember him. May I suggest, based upon personal experience, that faith comes and revelations are received as a direct result of scripture study.

Paul says "faith cometh by hearing. Faith is thus born of scripture study.