The Christmas before my 19th birthday, I received a set of scriptures. At the time, I was deciding on whether or not I wanted to serve a mission. I didn’t have much family pressure or precedent, as I was not aware of any family members who had served missions before me. Growing up in a predominantly LDS community, there was some social pressure to serve, but not much. I was only moderately active in the Church as a youth. In my decision making process, I figured that reading the Book of Mormon was a good place to start, since I would be teaching from it and testifying of it. So, I made it a personal goal to read from the Book of Mormon every night. Surprisingly, I followed through with that goal, though it wasn’t easy. Being a senior in high school, I had many late nights out with friends. However, each night, sometimes as late as 3 AM, I read for at least 10 minutes.
I still vividly remember these nights. I can picture in my mind the way I would prop up my pillows against the wall, sitting sideways on my bed. I can picture the lamp that I used. Since I had started the Book of Mormon a few times previously, I had decided to start in Mosiah. This decision proved to be providential. I instantly was captivated by the teachings of King Benjamin. His powerful testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the mighty change of heart that the Atonement provides, resonated with me deeply. This sermon dovetailed into the ministry of Abinidi, who also bore powerful witness of the Savior.
I had continued reading faithfully for several weeks when, one day, I found myself washing dishes by myself while working at a restaurant. I was pondering the decision to serve a mission, when I had a powerful impression. I came to the realization that my heart had changed. In just a short time of daily reading the scriptures, my mindset was drastically altered. I was more patient and kind, and less selfish and quick to anger. Perhaps the greatest part of it all is that I wasn’t even looking for that. I was reading in hopes to have a spiritual confirmation that the Book of Mormon was true. What I got was a softened heart. I experienced what President Ezra Taft Benson described when he taught that, “There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.” Once I had this experience with the Book of Mormon, the decision to serve a mission was an easy one.
Let’s examine how this works, how the scriptures have power in them to change our hearts. First, an example from the Book of Mormon. Alma was facing a sticky situation. The Zoramites, who were a people that Alma was responsible for, were heavy with iniquity. They were perverting the ways of the Lord, and bowing down to idols. Alma shows his wisdom in how he handled the situation, “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just–yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them–therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”
In Doctrine and Covenants section 84, the Lord lays out the process by which His words have this power. “And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.”
First, we start with the word of God, or revelation. This is communication, or the transfer of a thought or idea from a Perfect Being to imperfect man. Like our earth is dependent upon the sun for energy and light, we are dependent on our Father for light and truth. This light and truth is communicated to our minds and hearts through the Spirit. As we respond favorably to this light, like a plant leaning towards sunlight, we draw closer to God, and become more like him. This light also chases away darkness, which can be sin, ignorance, or a sinful nature.
We already have within us the seeds of divinity. We have agency, or the power to think, act, and choose independently. We have the capacity to love, to know, to be merciful and just, and to influence the physical world. However, our capacity to do so is very limited. Our divine Father, has these same characteristics, but in full measure. He is “full of grace and truth.”
This fullness can be transferred, line upon line. It happens as we receive light and truth, and obey it. The Lord explained it in the Doctrine and Covenants this way: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
When we comprehend the power of God’s word, why on earth would we, as teachers, not rely heavily upon it? Can you imagine a golfer deciding to not use any clubs, or a barber that doesn’t use scissors? To a gospel teacher, the scriptures should be our primary tool. Remember by what means the scriptures come to us, as Paul taught to Timothy: “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
As you properly use the scriptures in your teaching, the Lord will ratify His words through the ministration of the Holy Ghost. I believe that the most spiritual lessons are the ones where the scriptures are examined and discussed, in a way where the Sprit can act as the true teacher. I also believe that as you find ways to better implement God’s word into your teaching, that you will be a better gospel teacher, and better feed the sheep that the Lord has lovingly put into your care.