We're studying the Book of Mormon as a ward family again this summer. It's pretty awesome the way it works: We all read the same pages together each day so we can be pondering the same verses. We share what we learn on our ward Facebook page and unify ourselves in heart and mind. I loved doing this last year and am very excited to be doing it again!
I love the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. I've read it over twenty something times and it never grows old to me. The first time I read it was my Jr. year in high school. (I keep thinking it was my Sr. year but it must have been my Jr. year because the friend of mine who challenged me to read was a grade above me and he was a Sr.) Anyway, it doesn't really matter when, the fact is - It was an amazing experience!
A couple of days ago, I was thinking about the power that comes into our lives when we sincerely study the scriptures and plant them deep within our hearts. I thought back on where it began for me.
Before I ever read the Book of Mormon on my own, we had family scripture study on a somewhat regular basis. It was more of a contentious time, a "shut-up-sit-down" environment if you know what I mean. The spirit was difficult to feel. My dad was so strict and incredibly controlling, smacking us if we didn't sit still. It was very wrong the way he went about it. I look back though and even amidst the memory of it being rigid, forceful, and frustrating, I'm glad my parents at least tried to read on those occasions. They've definitely learned to loosen up since then and I'm proud of them for that.
One of the best decisions I ever made was to enroll in Seminary. I took it from 9th grade until 12th. My 9th grade seminary teacher constantly encouraged us to study the scriptures for ourselves. I admit, the idea of reading the entire Book of Mormon from cover to cover seemed daunting to me at that age and, like I said, I never did read it that way until my Jr. year. But my freshman seminary teacher was inspired and suggested I try a study-by-topic method. "Pick a topic in the Topical Guide" he said "And go through all those verses with that word and study them." I liked the method of study he suggested and decided to give it a try.
The topic I chose was "light." I took my set of scriptures, searched the word light in the Topical Guide and combed through highlighting and studying all the scriptures I could find related to it. It was a wonderful experience! After that, I often bore testimony of this method, sharing with others my experience studying light and encouraging my friends to do the same with their own topic.
I think it's so fitting that light is what I chose because since then, the scriptures truly have been a "lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)Never any day have I needed to walk in darkness because I have had this light of truth to guide me. I know that if ever there is confusion, a loss of direction, a sense of not really knowing where to go or what to do, we can receive direct, clear, and distinct answers through the power of prayer and deliberate, intentional, scripture study (both ancient and modern.) I have witnessed it for myself time and time again. It is a tested, tried, and proved method for revelation. We can know of things to come and also be content with not knowing the timing or the details. The Word is God, it is Light and Truth. And when the Word is received and applied, it brings REST and peace of mind... no matter the test, no matter the circumstances. This fixes my mind, heart, body, and soul on Truth. This is faith in action! This brings peace.
"Rest... is the mind at leisure from itself. It is the perfect poise of the soul; the absolute adjustment of the inward man to the stress of all outward things; the preparedness against every emergency; the stability of assured convictions; the eternal calm of an invulnerable faith; the repose of a heart set deep in God. It is the mood of the man who says, with Browning, 'God's in His Heaven, all's well with the world.'" - Henry Drummond
-Alicia
