This is a review of the slides we used while This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . .discussing . . .

Scriptures-Scriptures-The Power of the WordThe Power of the Word

Religion 221 - Introduction TopicReligion 221 - Introduction Topic

Book of Mormon Book of Mormon ChallengeChallenge

Moroni 10:3-5Moroni 10:3-5

“Search the scriptures - search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. . . . Search the scriptures, search the Prophets, and learn what portion of them belongs to you” (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 11-12).

““Seek not to declare my wordSeek not to declare my word, , but first but first seek to obtain my wordseek to obtain my word, and then shall your , and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea the power of have my Spirit and my word, yea the power of God unto the convincing of men” (Doctrine and God unto the convincing of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:21).Covenants 11:21).

““We love all of our missionaries who are We love all of our missionaries who are serving the Lord full time in the mission field. But serving the Lord full time in the mission field. But there is a difference in missionariesthere is a difference in missionaries. . Some are better Some are better prepared to serve the Lord the first month in the prepared to serve the Lord the first month in the mission field than some who are returning home mission field than some who are returning home after twenty-four monthsafter twenty-four months. We want young men . We want young men entering the mission field who can entering the mission field who can enter the mission enter the mission field ‘on the run,’field ‘on the run,’ who have the faith, born of who have the faith, born of personal righteousness and clean living, that they personal righteousness and clean living, that they can have a great and productive mission” (can have a great and productive mission” (The The Teachings of Ezra Taft BensonTeachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 192)., p. 192).

Introduction to ScripturesIntroduction to Scriptures#1 Approach#1 Approach

Jet Ski, Snorkeling, and Jet Ski, Snorkeling, and Scuba DivingScuba Diving

“ “God uses the power of the word. . . as God uses the power of the word. . . as an instrument to an instrument to change people's liveschange people's lives” ” (Ezra Taft Benson, (Ezra Taft Benson, EnsignEnsign, May 1987, 84)., May 1987, 84).

Introduction to ScripturesIntroduction to Scriptures#2a Purpose#2a Purpose 2 Tim. 3:13-172 Tim. 3:13-17

LiahonaRodLightManna Living WaterSword

Scripture ImageryScripture Imagery

LiahonaRodLightManna Living WaterSword

Scripture ImageryScripture Imagery

LostLostFallFall

DarkDarkStarveStarve

ThirstyThirstyDieDie

Purpose is to . . .Purpose is to . . .

Introduction to ScripturesIntroduction to Scriptures#2b Purpose of the #2b Purpose of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon

Purpose is to . . .Purpose is to . . .1) show the 1) show the “covenants” “covenants” made unto the made unto the “fathers.”“fathers.”

2) 2) “convince” “convince” us by us by “manifestation” “manifestation” that that “Jesus is the Christ”“Jesus is the Christ”

Introduction to ScripturesIntroduction to Scriptures#2b Purpose of the #2b Purpose of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon

It takes a prophet to It takes a prophet to understand a prophet. . .understand a prophet. . .

Introduction to ScripturesIntroduction to Scriptures#3 Process#3 Process

““In the final analysis, there is no way absolutely In the final analysis, there is no way absolutely none (and this cannot be stated too strongly!)-to none (and this cannot be stated too strongly!)-to understand any Messianic prophecy, or any other understand any Messianic prophecy, or any other scripture, except to have the same spirit of prophecy that scripture, except to have the same spirit of prophecy that rested upon the one who uttered the truth in its original rested upon the one who uttered the truth in its original form. Scripture comes from God by the power of the Holy form. Scripture comes from God by the power of the Holy Ghost. It does not originate with man. It means only what Ghost. It does not originate with man. It means only what the Holy Ghost thinks it means. To interpret it, we must be the Holy Ghost thinks it means. To interpret it, we must be enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit. . . . enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit. . . . Truly, it Truly, it takes a prophet to understand a prophettakes a prophet to understand a prophet, and every faithful , and every faithful member of the Church should have "the testimony of member of the Church should have "the testimony of Jesus" which "is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10.) . . . Jesus" which "is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10.) . . . This is the sum and substance of the whole matter and an This is the sum and substance of the whole matter and an end to all controversy where discovering the mind and will end to all controversy where discovering the mind and will of the Lord is concerned” (Bruce R. McConkie, of the Lord is concerned” (Bruce R. McConkie, The The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah, p.44)., p.44).

““Do you read the Scriptures, my brethren and Do you read the Scriptures, my brethren and sisters, as though you were writing them a thousand, two sisters, as though you were writing them a thousand, two thousand, or five thousand years ago? thousand, or five thousand years ago? Do you read them as Do you read them as though you stood in the place of the men who wrote them? though you stood in the place of the men who wrote them? If you do not feel thus, it is your privilege to do so,If you do not feel thus, it is your privilege to do so, that you that you may be as familiar with the spirit and meaning of the may be as familiar with the spirit and meaning of the written word of God as you are with your daily walk and written word of God as you are with your daily walk and conversation, or as you are with your workmen or with conversation, or as you are with your workmen or with your households. You may understand what the Prophets your households. You may understand what the Prophets understood and thought--what they designed and planned understood and thought--what they designed and planned to bring forth to their brethren for their good. to bring forth to their brethren for their good.

When you can thus feel, then you may begin to When you can thus feel, then you may begin to think that you can find out something about God, and think that you can find out something about God, and begin to learn who he is” (Brigham Young, begin to learn who he is” (Brigham Young, JDJD 7:333). 7:333).

“ “ImmerseImmerse yourselves in the scripturesyourselves in the scriptures. . SearchSearch them diligently. them diligently. FeastFeast upon the words of upon the words of Christ. Christ. LearnLearn the doctrine. the doctrine. MasterMaster the principles the principles that are found therein. There are few other efforts that are found therein. There are few other efforts that will bring greater dividends. . . that will bring greater dividends. . . There are few There are few other ways to gain greater inspirationother ways to gain greater inspiration” (Ezra Taft ” (Ezra Taft Benson, Benson, The Power of the WordThe Power of the Word, CR, Ensign, May , CR, Ensign, May 1986, p. 82).1986, p. 82).

11

SearchingSearching and and

FeastingFeasting

““Immerse” Immerse” self in scriptures by. . .self in scriptures by. . .

““It is a paradox that men will gladly devote It is a paradox that men will gladly devote time every day for many years to learn a science or time every day for many years to learn a science or an art, yet will expect to win a knowledge of the an art, yet will expect to win a knowledge of the gospel, which comprehends all sciences and arts, gospel, which comprehends all sciences and arts, through perfunctory glances at books or occasional through perfunctory glances at books or occasional listening to sermons. listening to sermons. The gospel should be studied The gospel should be studied more intensively than any school or college subjectmore intensively than any school or college subject” ” (John A. Widtsoe, (John A. Widtsoe, Improvement EraImprovement Era, p. May 1943, p. , p. May 1943, p. 289).289).

11

SearchingSearching and and

FeastingFeasting

““Immerse” Immerse” self in scriptures by. . .self in scriptures by. . .

22Learn Learn

DoctrinesDoctrines

11

SearchingSearching and and

FeastingFeasting

““Immerse” Immerse” self in scriptures by. . .self in scriptures by. . .

22Learn Learn

DoctrinesDoctrinesTypesTypes

ShadowsShadowsPatternsPatternsSymbolsSymbols

““In the Book of Mormon we In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern find a pattern for preparing for the Second Comingfor preparing for the Second Coming. A major . A major portion of the book centers on the few decades portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By By careful study of that time periodcareful study of that time period, , we can determine we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the templebrought others to stand at the temple in the land in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet” (Ezra Taft Ensign, wounds of His hands and feet” (Ezra Taft Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6–7).Nov. 1986, 6–7).

11

SearchingSearching and and

FeastingFeasting

““Immerse” Immerse” self in scriptures by. . .self in scriptures by. . .

22Learn Learn

DoctrinesDoctrinesTypesTypes

ShadowsShadowsPatternsPatternsSymbolsSymbols

33MasterMaster

PrinciplesPrinciples

11

SearchingSearching and and

FeastingFeasting

““Immerse” Immerse” self in scriptures by. . .self in scriptures by. . .

22Learn Learn

DoctrinesDoctrinesTypesTypes

ShadowsShadowsPatternsPatternsSymbolsSymbols

33MasterMaster

PrinciplesPrinciplesRevelationRevelation

always yieldsalways yieldsapplicationapplication

11

SearchingSearching and and

FeastingFeasting

22Learn Learn

DoctrinesDoctrinesTypesTypes

ShadowsShadowsPatternsPatternsSymbolsSymbols

33MasterMaster

PrinciplesPrinciplesRevelationRevelation

always yieldsalways yieldsapplicationapplication

The WordThe Word The SpiritThe Spirit

TellTell ShowShow

Understanding/ConvictionUnderstanding/Conviction

2 Nephi 32:1-5 + D&C 76:1-19, 114-1192 Nephi 32:1-5 + D&C 76:1-19, 114-119

““The Lord’s periodic whisperings to my The Lord’s periodic whisperings to my mind. Over the years, these whisperings have mind. Over the years, these whisperings have guided me and reassured me. They give me, from guided me and reassured me. They give me, from time to time, in the words of the Prophet Joseph, time to time, in the words of the Prophet Joseph, sudden strokes of ideas and occasionally the pure sudden strokes of ideas and occasionally the pure flow of intelligenceflow of intelligence (Teachings of the Prophet (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 151). . . . These are inward Joseph Smith, p. 151). . . . These are inward things, often taking the form of a things, often taking the form of a directing phrasedirecting phrase. . I have found that the Lord gives more I have found that the Lord gives more instructionsinstructions than explanationsthan explanations”” (Neal A Maxwell, (Neal A Maxwell, Becoming a Becoming a DiscipleDisciple, Ensign, June 1996, p. 12-19)., Ensign, June 1996, p. 12-19).

“ “It is not wise to wrestle with the revelations with It is not wise to wrestle with the revelations with such insistence as to such insistence as to demand immediate answers or demand immediate answers or blessings to your likingblessings to your liking. . You cannot force spiritual You cannot force spiritual thingsthings. Such words as compel, coerce, constrain, . Such words as compel, coerce, constrain, pressure, demand, do not describe our privileges with pressure, demand, do not describe our privileges with the Spirit. You can no more force the Spirit to the Spirit. You can no more force the Spirit to respond than you can force a bean to sprout, or an respond than you can force a bean to sprout, or an egg to hatch before it's time. egg to hatch before it's time. You can create a climateYou can create a climate to foster growth, nourish, and protect, but you cannot to foster growth, nourish, and protect, but you cannot force or compel: you must await the growth. force or compel: you must await the growth. Do not Do not be impatient be impatient to gain great spiritual knowledge. to gain great spiritual knowledge. Let it Let it grow, help it growgrow, help it grow, but , but do not forcedo not force it or you will open it or you will open the way to be misled” (Boyd K. Packer, The Candle of the way to be misled” (Boyd K. Packer, The Candle of the Lord, the Lord, EnsignEnsign, Jan. 1983, 51-56)., Jan. 1983, 51-56).

““A person may profit by noticing the first A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure when you feel pure intelligenceintelligence flowing into you, it flowing into you, it may give you may give you sudden strokes of ideassudden strokes of ideas. . .thus by . . .thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may may grow into the principle of revelationgrow into the principle of revelation, until you , until you become perfect in Christ Jesus” become perfect in Christ Jesus” ((Teaching of the Teaching of the Prophet Joseph SmithProphet Joseph Smith, 151)., 151).

““When we have the scriptures in our heart and When we have the scriptures in our heart and our mind and our soul, then we have a our mind and our soul, then we have a means of means of measuring all thingsmeasuring all things; we have a ; we have a means of judging means of judging everything elseeverything else. If we are soaked in the scriptures, we . If we are soaked in the scriptures, we shan’t want to look at bad things on our walls or listen shan’t want to look at bad things on our walls or listen to bad music, because they won’t fit. to bad music, because they won’t fit. We shall intuitively We shall intuitively reject themreject them, just as we shall , just as we shall embrace what is goodembrace what is good, , because we shall have in minds a firm and sound sense because we shall have in minds a firm and sound sense of what is in good taste” (Arthur Henry King, of what is in good taste” (Arthur Henry King, Abundance of the HeartAbundance of the Heart, p. 129)., p. 129).

The End. . .The End. . .