To be successful in all worthwhile endeavors requires mastering the fundamentals.
For example, without good blocking and tackling, a football team will not achieve success regardless of how sophisticated its playbook is.
Similarly, to be a true follower of Christ requires mastery of the basics of the gospel.
One of the primary building blocks of discipleship is studying the scriptures.
It is an integral component of the path that leads to exaltation.
Repentance, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, in the words of the prophet Nephi, is "the gate by which ye should enter" to obtain eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:16.) But there is much to do after entering that gate.
As Nephi explains: "And now my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten onto this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. . . ." (2 Nephi 31:19.)
What more is there to do? The faithful son of Lehi and Sariah gladly tells us:
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20.)
What a marvelous promise!
In the very next chapter, Nephi admonishes the people (and all who read his words) to "feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3.)
During an address in general conference on April 7, 1984, President Ezra Taft Benson emphasized how important the scriptures are:
"More than at any time in our history, we have need for greater spirituality. The way to develop greater spirituality is to feast on the words of Christ as revealed in the scriptures."
He added that priesthood leaders were being asked to minimize administrative meetings on Sunday so that families would have time to "render Christian service, visit family members . . . and study the scriptures."
For quite some time new editions of the standard works with valuable study helps have been made available to enable those who use them to gain greater understanding of the gospel.
Speaking for the First Presidency, President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then the second counselor in the First Presidency, said in 1985 that "any tools that assist in the reading and studying of the scriptures are useful and are likely to promote familiarity with these sacred volumes. Such activity invariably will lead to an increase not only of knowledge, but also of faith."
He talked about his love of the scriptures and how reading the scriptures was not the pursuit of scholarship but "rather, it is a love affair with the word of the Lord and that of His prophets. They contain so much for each of us."
President Hinckley then went on to bear his testimony regarding the scriptures:
"As I read these sacred volumes I marvel at the wonder and the majesty of the Almighty God and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the writers of these testaments sing the praises of God our Father and of our Redeemer. The scriptures testify of the Father and the Son — of their majesty and wonder. The scriptures invite all to come unto the Father and the Son and to find peace and strength in the union between God and man."
In conclusion, he stated:
"May the Lord bless each of us to feast upon His holy word and to draw from it that strength, that peace, that knowledge 'which surpasseth all understanding' (Philippians 4:7) as He has promised." (Ensign, December 1985.)
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