Monday, November 14, 2016

3 Nephi 23:14 -- On the Importance of the Scriptures

"And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them."
3 Nephi 23:14


I think it is really interesting that Christ quoted so many scriptures when he visited earth.  What he said while he was here was also made into scripture and added to the bounty, but I think it is really cool that he quoted scripture so much.  It isn't just cool as a good example, but I think it speaks strongly about prophets and God's plan.  This was all part of it.  The core truth had already been given.  Christ wasn't starting from scratch.  He needed to correct and clarify some things and to teach the new law, which built on the foundation of the old one, but I think so clearly throughout he acts like it is just a continued conversation.  And it is.

We forget the nature of God sometimes and don't realize that even though we are just learning the gospel, he's been saying and teaching the same things (in personal, individualized ways of course) since the beginning.  Adam and Noah, Abraham and Moses... Nephi, King Benjamin... God was friends with ALL of them. :)  He commands the people in the verse above to teach each other the scriptures.  They were in the presence of Christ himself, and instead of just telling them what he wanted, he told them to read and teach the scriptures. :)  ... So, maybe that means they are sort of important, right? :)  Perhaps because they contain the gospel, and they are still going to be there whenever we need to turn to them.  Nephi going back for the brass plates shows us part of the importance, but so does personal experience.  Something cool and spiritual happens, and how long does it take us to doubt or question or forget?  Typically, not very long.  That's why Christ asks in this chapter for them to write down some things that they forgot... because it is that important.

Today, let's realize the essential nature of the scriptures, and the importance not just to read them once, but to go back again and again and learn from them always.  We so often ask for comfort, inspiration, and blessings, and don't realize how much is contained in the pages of scripture and available to us on demand. :)  Let's take the time we need to study the words and the works of God.  Let's get to know him and hear his voice through the things that he has commanded to be written.  And when we learn, let's also teach.  It's the best way to cement that learning in our brains, and it is also important to the world that when we realize amazing and cool truths that we share them with each other, so we can all rejoice. :)

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