Feast upon the Word of Christ

By Brother Powell

​This time of year, we celebrate with our youth as they graduate from high school and college and make significant transitions to new phases of life.  I’ve never heard a commencement address where the speaker says “you now know everything you need to succeed” or “it is now time we leave the learning behind and move on with our lives”.  Rather, speakers generally focus on the learning skills that have been acquired over the years and encourage their listeners to use those skills to keep learning after graduation and throughout life.

​Consider a few quotes:

“For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea – it’s a commandment.”  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“There are few things more pathetic than those who have lost their curiosity and sense of adventure, and who no longer care to learn.”  President Gordon B. Hinckley

“Your education must never stop.  If it ends at the door of the classroom on graduation day, we will fail.  And we will need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn…. The real life we’re preparing for is eternal life.  Secular knowledge has for us eternal significance.  Our conviction is that God, our Heavenly Father, wants us to live the life that He does.”  Elder Henry B. Eyring

“A few of the basic attributes needed to become a lifelong learner are courage, faithful desire, humility, patience, curiosity, and a willingness to communicate and share the knowledge that we gain…. Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body and soul.  It enhances self-worth and self-actuation.  Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt.”  Elder Robert D. Hales

“Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”  D&C 88:118

With these quotes in mind, what are we to do if our scripture study feels like it has become stale, rote, or uninspiring?  Elder Bednar, on 4 February 2007, delivered a fireside address entitled “A Reservoir of Living Water” that outlined 3 ways to study the scriptures.

1. Reading the scriptures from beginning to end.  Reading a book of scripture from beginning to end introduces us to important stories, gospel doctrines, and timeless principles.  Reading the written word in this way exposes us to the breadth of a volume of scripture.
2. Studying the scriptures by topic.  Focusing on questions such as “what is faith in Jesus Christ” and studying by topic allows us to dig into and explore the depth of the scriptures and obtain a much richer spiritual knowledge.  The topical guide and triple combination index are good resources to help study by topic.
3. Searching the scriptures for connections, patterns, and themes.  Connections are relationships or links between ideas, people, things, or events.  Patterns are plans, models or standards that can be used as a guide (e.g., for avoiding deception, constructing temples.)  Themes are overarching, recurring, and unifying qualities or ideas.

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Over the last few years, I have been studying the scriptures using a combination of all three methods.  As a family, we read lessons from “Come, Follow Me” in chronological order.  While preparing for various lessons each week, I identify and explore topics.  During my personal study of the scriptures, I’ve focused on overarching themes including principles and ordinances of the Gospel, the plan of salvation, and the armor of God.  I join Elder Bednar in testifying that “feasting upon the word of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20) is edifying, exciting and enjoyable.  And I encourage all to take advantage of the resources available to us to search and ponder the scriptures.