2015
Four Tools That Bring Promised Blessings
April 2015


“Four Tools That Bring Promised Blessings,” Ensign, April 2015, 21–29

Four Tools That Bring Promised Blessings

Defend yourself against Satan with these four tools.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Helaman teaches his sons that they must build their spiritual foundation on Jesus Christ in order to withstand the whirlwinds of life (see Helaman 5:12). In the October 2014 general conference, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about four spiritual tools that help us build this foundation: prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and temple worship. These four tools help us hearken unto the words of Christ and build our testimonies, lives, and homes “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God” (Helaman 5:12; see also Matthew 7:24–27).

“When these tools become fundamental habits,” Elder Scott said, “they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality.”1 They help us to withstand the mighty winds of the adversary, so that they have “no power over [us] to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery and endless wo” (Helaman 5:12). As Elder Scott taught, “The more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so.”2

These marvelous promises are not the only promises associated with regularly utilizing and more deeply internalizing these four tools. The following eight pages present many of God’s promises, as made known to us through His chosen leaders, for using prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and temple worship. As you read through the promises, think about how you’ve seen them in your own life. What can you do to incorporate these four tools more fully in your family?

These essential habits bring us closer to God and help us build on “a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12). Elder Scott declared, “As we actively come unto [Christ], we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face.” Ultimately, as you use these four tools, you will be drawing closer to Christ and “securing your life in the power of [His] Atonement.”3

Promised Blessings of Prayer

family praying

Promised Blessings of Scripture Study

open scriptures

Promised Blessings of Family Home Evening

family having family home evening

Promised Blessings of Temple Worship

couple in front of temple

Notes

  1. Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” Ensign, Nov. 2014, 93.

  2. Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” 94.

  3. Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” 94.