“Studying the Scriptures: Hold Fast to the Word of God,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Studying the Scriptures,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Introductory Materials
Studying the Scriptures
Hold Fast to the Word of God
The scriptures are unique in their ability to deepen faith in and love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Consistent and meaningful study invites faith and strengthens our daily lives. The purpose of this lesson is to increase your desire and ability to study the scriptures daily and receive promised blessings that accompany scripture study.
Encouraging a habit of daily scripture study. Few things will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of students than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them daily. One way to do this is to discuss with the students the benefits and blessings of daily, personal scripture study.
Student preparation: Give students the “Scripture Study Evaluation” handout from this lesson to take home and fill out. Consider inviting students to ask family members to answer the questions too and to discuss their responses together.
Possible Learning Activities
Daily scripture study
To help students see the importance of consistent effort over time in studying the scriptures, consider inviting a student who feels comfortable doing push-ups to come to the front of the class and demonstrate. After he or she is done, consider asking, “Is the student stronger now that he or she has done a few push-ups? Why or why not?”
Help students see that while one small effort can help a person get a little stronger, consistent effort over time builds much more strength.
If a person wanted to get stronger by doing push-ups, what would he or she have to do? How long might it take to see a noticeable increase in strength? What challenges might a person have to overcome?
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How might this relate to studying the scriptures?
Read the following statements by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) and Julie B. Beck, then First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, and review what they teach about scripture study:
Spending time each day in scripture study will, without doubt, strengthen our foundations of faith and our testimonies of truth. (Thomas S. Monson, “How Firm a Foundation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 68)
Though I do not consider myself to be an expert, … I am grateful I started the lifetime habit of reading [the scriptures]. It would be impossible to learn the lessons the scriptures contain by reading them only one time through or studying selected verses in a class. (Julie B. Beck, “My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 107)
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What did you find?
Consider displaying the following self-evaluation on scripture study so students can complete it on their own.
Consider how you feel about your study of the scriptures.
Scripture Study Evaluation
Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Studying the Scriptures”
Rate yourself on the following statements on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high):
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Studying the scriptures every day is a priority for me.
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I am aware of and use scripture study skills (prayer, pondering, footnotes, notes, and so forth) that help me better understand the scriptures.
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I understand what I read in the scriptures.
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Studying the scriptures helps me feel closer to Jesus Christ.
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Students could be invited to share challenges they may face with regard to meaningful daily scripture study. Consider inviting students to share possible solutions to the challenges. Help students understand that regardless of where they are on the evaluation, they can grow in their ability to receive blessings of scripture study.
Blessings for studying the scriptures
Read the following verses, looking for blessings that come from studying the scriptures.
Students could be invited to write the various blessings of scripture study on the board. As they write, invite them to also put a check mark next to any blessings they have received.
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What truths associated with scripture study can you identify from these verses?
Students may identify truths such as if we hearken and hold fast to the word of God, He will bless us to withstand temptation and evil (see 1 Nephi 15:24); Jesus Christ will help us know what to do in our lives as we feast upon His words (see 2 Nephi 32:3); and studying the scriptures can help me know of and rejoice in Jesus Christ (see Alma 37:9).
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Which of these truths or blessings have you experienced?
For additional blessings that come from scripture study, see “Commentary and Background Information.”
How can I get more from my scripture study?
The following question could be discussed by students in small groups or pairs. Consider inviting students to share their insights. You may ask students to share additional details about their responses, such as how, when, or why they use that practice.
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What could help a person get more out of his or her scripture study?
Read the following statement by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and look for additional skills that could help scripture study be more impactful.
It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. (D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11)
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What do you see in these ideas that could bless your scripture study experience?
Students could add additional insights to the board that were not already written.
In addition to the scripture study skill that follows, multiple skill ideas are given in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section below that could be used.
You could invite students to do the following activity quietly on their own. Then split them into small groups or pairs to share what they learned.
Take the next 5 or 10 minutes to try using the suggestions given by Elder Christofferson. Take time to ponder, reread, pray, ask questions, and write impressions. Here are some possible scripture passages you might use (feel free to select different Book of Mormon passages).
After students have had time to study, invite them to share about their experiences. The following questions could help.
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What was your experience studying the scriptures in this way?
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How would studying in this way influence your personal scripture study?
Make a scripture study goal
One of the purposes of seminary is to help you draw closer to Jesus Christ through daily study of the scriptures. To help you, there is a seminary credit requirement to read the current year’s book of scripture at least 75 percent of the semester calendar days.
Seek inspiration through the Holy Ghost to set a personal study goal. To help, begin by offering a prayer to seek inspiration from Heavenly Father. Think about the following questions as you set a goal:
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When and where could I study my scriptures daily?
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How much time each day will I study?
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What can I do to invite the Holy Ghost more fully into my scripture study experience?