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I had another experience when my oldest son was just a young boy and I was a Primary leader [leader for the children] in the ward. I went to a stake meeting in which all ward leaders were invited, and the discussion was how we can solve some of our problems. One of the sweet sisters from another ward talked about how she was having some discipline problems with her young daughter, and she had tried everything to solve the problem. But through her prayers and advice from someone, she went to the Book of Mormon, and read, and then she said she had found the answer to her plea in the scriptures. That caught my attention, because I had never really thought about searching for answers to my problems right in the scriptures. That is when the scriptures began to become more personal and helpful to me. Of course, I have gone through times when I read and times when I don’t, but I know now that I could not be happy in this life without the guidance of the scriptures.

I would like to share some of the things that I have learned over time:
• There are answers to my specific needs in the scriptures and they can be a guide for my life.
• Reading the scriptures on a regular basis helps me to handle my problems and have a desire to endure.
• I can feel the Spirit when I continually read the scriptures (even if I may not understand them), AND when I do not steadily read the scriptures, I can definitely see and feel the difference in how I act and react to everyday situations in my life.
• Diligent reading and studying opens my mind to deeper truths and understanding.
• Through diligent reading I can have a greater desire to read—and I have come to understand what it means to thirst for and feast upon the word of God.

These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man; For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them; Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words. – Doctrine and Covenants 18:34-36

By JW from California

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The post First Person: Discovering the Blessing and Power of the Scriptures appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers (Mosiah 1:6-7)

As I was reading this passage the other day, specifically that phrase “because we have them before our eyes,” something jumped out at me. It’s not a terribly profound insight, very simple in fact.

In order to grow my testimony of the scriptures, or, in other words, to know of their surety, I do have to have them before my eyes. It’s not enough to just have them in my heart, relying on what I have read before. There is something in having the physical volume of the scriptures open to my view.

King Benjamin bids his sons not just to look upon, not just to read the scriptures, but to search them. Specifically, he reminds them to “remember to search them diligently.” I love that use of the word “remember.” How easily I do forget. How easily I get caught up in my busy life and grow lax on such a simple observance. It is all too easy to rest on what I already know and cease to seek for more from those sacred words, but there is always so much more to be found.

It was by seeming chance that I picked up my scriptures the other day, and perhaps mere coincidence that I opened to the Book of Mosiah. Maybe, but I choose to heed the message. I hope I continue to remember, and keep the scriptures before my eyes.

-by Christina

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