This is my family’s treasure box.

Treasure1

Inside are our family scripture study materials. Every night at the dinner table we study the scriptures while we eat. It was hard to find another time when everyone was home and awake so during dinner time I pull down the treasure box from atop the fridge and we discuss one scripture a night. My kids are still very small, so I found that focusing on one scripture a night allows us to keep their attention and have time to start a lively discussion about gospel principles. My oldest daughter is seven, so we have her try to find the highlighted verse in the actual scriptures so she can get a feel for how to use the scriptures. I placed our scripture study materials into a treasure box to reflect the truths in the following scriptures:

Treasure up in your minds the words of life. D&C 84:85

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:21

Treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. D&C 6:20

Right now we are studying in the Book of Mormon. I use the Scripture Mastery scriptures from the Seminary program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for our study material. I printed each scripture on a different piece of colored paper to pull from each night. This is what our study print outs look like, but the picture below is from the New Testament scripture mastery program.

Scripture Mastery-2

Since my children are still small, they are very receptive to my husband and me teaching them the scriptures. After reading the scripture aloud, and putting the meaning into our own words, we ask them to think of real-life examples that apply to the principle taught in the scripture. I have been astonished by the wisdom and understanding of my children.

Dinner time is still crazy. Milk gets spilled all over the floor regularly. Somebody always complains about the menu and our baby is always climbing on top of the table to grab food off of a sibling’s plate. But adding family scripture study to our family dinner has helped us “feast upon the words of Christ” and has brought us closer together as a family.

Modern-day prophets and apostles have stressed the importance and benefits of family scripture study. Here are some quotes that helped me decide that family scripture study was worth introducing into my home.

Scripture study as individuals and as a family is most fundamental to learning the gospel. Daily reading of the scriptures and discussing them together is a powerful tool against the temptations of Satan. This practice will produce great happiness and will help family members love the Lord and his goodness. Home is where we become experts and scholars in gospel righteousness. President Spencer W. Kimball

Do you understand that we emphasize the teaching of the scriptures because they are the constant? From them we learn the purposes of life, the gifts of the Spirit. From them we learn about personal revelation, how to discern good from evil, truth from error. The scriptures provide the pattern and the basis for correct doctrine. From doctrine, we learn principles of conduct, how to respond to problems of everyday living, even to failures, for they, too, are provided for in the doctrines. Elder Boyd K. Packer

Never let a day go by without holding family prayer and family scripture study. Put this, the Lord’s program, to the test; and see if it does not bless your home with greater peace, hope, love, and faith. I promise you that daily family prayer and scripture study will build within the walls of your home a security and bonding that will enrich your lives and prepare your families to meet the challenges of today and the eternities to come. Elder L. Tom Perry

If you would like to read more about our beliefs about the benefits of family scripture study, please follow the following links.

Family Scripture Study

How to Make Family Scripture Study Fun, Interesting

A Discussion on Scripture Study – Elder Henry B. Eyring