Modern Commandments: The Scriptures

"Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled." Doctrine and Covenants 1:37

"He is not here: for he is risen..."

In this world, there are many things which we can see and discover for ourselves. For those things that aren't so easily accessible, we can find the answers to our questions in books. Through records compiled by scientists and historians, we can learn more about the world and times that we love and live in. However, not all books are equal. Some of them can be filled with misconceptions or total falsehoods.

When it comes to things of God and eternity, we only have one real source for truth; the scriptures. Through the scriptures, we can learn about God and his servants, the Prophets. We can learn how to overcome challenges, escape temptation, and discover eternal happiness with God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Why are the Scriptures important?

Everything that we can learn about God's plan for us is contained in the Scriptures. The Scriptures are ancient records written by prophets, or men called by God to represent Him. The Book of Mormon explains that prophets "...talk of Christ... rejoice in Christ... preach of Christ... prophesy of Christ, and... write according to [their] prophecies." The primary purpose of the scriptures is to testify that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. The Holy Bible contains the record of Jesus Christ's ministry and atonement, The Book of Mormon stands alongside the Holy Bible to reveal God's Plan of Salvation, and The Doctrine and Covenants helps us understand what God expects from us today.

In addition to bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, the scriptures also reveal the commandments to us, which are the key to finding peace and avoiding heartache. The scriptures help us "consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God," by showing us the examples of men and women who held onto them with steadfast faith. They help us take the commandments and learn, live, and love them.

The scriptures are also an immense source of spiritual strength. Regular scripture study solves problems, uplifts our thoughts, and gives us a connection to heaven than can only be severed by our own negligence.

How should I begin reading the Scriptures?

The Scriptures are not written like other books; this was something I realized fairly quickly when I was young. The grammar is unusual, the descriptions are sometimes abstract, and the names still continue to baffle me. I've learned however, that the best way to learn how to read them effectively is to simply begin reading them! To me, the best place to begin studying the Scriptures is with The Book of Mormon. It is the most consistently translated out of all of the Scriptures, it focuses on the basic principles of the gospel like Faith and Baptism, and it bears testimony of the truths in The Holy Bible. A testimony of The Book of Mormon gives us knowledge of all other scriptures.

"Answers to the questions of the soul."

Ideas for Application.

Study and practice the pronouns used in the Scriptures.
The scriptures are difficult to understand because they were also written long ago in different languages. A lot of the grammar that sounds strange in English, makes perfect sense in Hebrew, Arabic, or Greek. Using this unusual grammar is also a way to show God greater respect, because it is so detached from the casualty and slang of today.

Here are a few of the basic phrases in the Scriptures:

Thee, Thou, & Ye = You
Thy & Thine = Your
Art = Are
And it came to pass = And then...

Search, ponder, and pray.
The most effective way to study the scriptures involves a simple, three step pattern. We search the scriptures for answers to questions or challenges, we quietly ponder what the passages we find mean to us, and then we pray for extra wisdom from God. It really is simple, but effective.