Gospel Study

1) “True doctrine understood changes behavior.  The study of doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than the study of behavior will improve behavior.  Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior.  That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.” (President Boyd K. Packer, Nov. 1986, “Little Children, Ensign, http://www.lds.org/ensign/1986/11/little-children)

2) “Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Aug. 2005, “A Testimony Vibrant and True,” Ensign, http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/08/a-testimony-vibrant-and-true?lang=eng)
 

3) “Bend your efforts and your activities to stimulating meaningful scripture study among the members of the church.  Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes.  We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings.  We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions.  We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple.  All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom.  But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come.  Testimonies will increase.  Commitment will be strengthened.  Families will be fortified.  Personal revelation will flow.”  (President Ezra Taft Benson, May 1986, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, http://www.lds.org/ensign/1986/05/the-power-of-the-word?lang=eng)

4) “Our times are turbulent and difficult. We see wars inter-nationally and distress domestically. Neighbors all around us face personal heartaches and family sorrows. Legions know fear and troubles of a hundred kinds. This reminds us that when those mists of darkness enveloped the travelers in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, it enveloped all of the participants—the righteous as well as the unrighteous, the young along with the elderly, the new convert and seasoned member alike. In that allegory all face opposition and travail, and only the rod of iron—the declared word of God—can bring them safely through. We all need that rod. We all need that word. No one is safe without it, for in its absence any can ‘[fall] away into forbidden paths and [be] lost,’ as the record says.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Nov. 2006, “Prophets in the Land Again,” Ensign, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/11/prophets-in-the-land-again?lang=eng)

5) “If you ponder the scriptures and begin to do what you covenanted with God to do, I can promise you that you will feel more love for God and more of His love for you. And with that, your prayers will come from the heart, full of thanks and of pleading. You will feel a greater dependence on God. You will find the courage and the determination to act in His service, without fear and with peace in your heart. You will pray always. And you will not forget Him, no matter what the future brings.” (President Henry B. Eyring, Nov. 2001, “Prayer,” Ensign, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/11/prayer?lang=eng)

6) “I suggest that you memorize scriptures that touch your heart and fill your soul with understanding. When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased. Sometimes when there is a significant need in my life, I review mentally scriptures that have given me strength. There is great solace, direction, and power that flow from the scriptures, especially the words of the Lord.” (Elder Richard G. Scott, Nov. 1999, “He Lives,” Ensign, https://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/11/he-lives?lang=eng)

7)  “We can be delivered from the ways of evil and wickedness by turning to the teachings of the holy scriptures.” (Elder L. Tom Perry, May 2012, “The Power of Deliverance,” Ensign, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/05/the-power-of-deliverance?lang=eng)

8) “Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.” (Elder Richard G. Scott, November 2011, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/11/the-power-of-scripture?lang=eng)

9)  “Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.8 The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment.9 When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance.10 Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined.” (Elder Quentin L. Cook, November 2012, “Can Ye Feel So Now?”, Ensign, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/11/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng)

10)  “Coming unto Christ is not a single event with a fixed point of beginning or ending; rather, it is a process that develops and deepens during a lifetime. As an initial step in the process, we certainly must obtain knowledge and learn about Jesus and His life, teachings, and ministry. But truly coming unto Him also requires consistent obedience and striving to become like Jesus in our thoughts, motives, communications, and actions. As we “press forward” (2 Ne. 31:20) on the pathway of discipleship, we can draw near unto the Savior with the expectation that He will draw near unto us; we can seek Him diligently with the hope that we shall find Him; we can ask with confidence that we shall receive; and we can knock anticipating that the door shall be opened unto us (see D&C 88:63). One of the best ways to draw near unto Him and to both learn about and become more like the Lord Jesus Christ is to consistently study the holy scriptures—to daily “feast upon the words of Christ.” (Elder David A. Bednar, April 2006, “Because We Have Them Before Our Eyes,” New Era, https://www.lds.org/new-era/2006/04/because-we-have-them-before-our-eyes?lang=eng)