Learn the gospel by searching the scriptures.
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Growing up, I was surrounded by other kids, teenagers, and adults who were well versed in scripture. They had scripture after scripture memorized. Many could even retell almost every gospel story.
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I felt inadequate many times. I could memorize a few short passages of scripture, but a few days later, POOF gone—remembered no more.
This drove me nuts, and to this day, I still get somewhat frustrated.
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Over the years, I’ve seen many of those well-versed ‘scripture scholars’ fall away from the gospel—It has always blown my mind.
(Prepare for over-exaggeration) They have the entire Bible/Book of Mormon memorized, while I am still trying to figure out if Nephi cut off Laban’s head with a sword or knife. Get the point?
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I came across an article from President Marion G Romney, Records of Great Worth. Let’s read what he has to say.
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“When Jesus told the Jews to “search the scriptures,” he was talking to men who prided themselves on their acquaintance with the scriptures. They had spent their lives reading and memorizing them. They could and did quote reams of scripture in support of their apostate rules and rituals. They had wholly failed, however, to discover their true message.”
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I have never been able to memorize, quote, or recite passages of scripture, and I’ve never been ‘quick to the draw’ in a scripture race; however, I have searched the scriptures. Memorizing has never been a goal for me. Not because I don’t want to, but it serves me no great purpose.
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Studying the scriptures serves me great purpose. Let me share one more message from President Romney.
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“Learning the gospel from the written word, however, is not enough. It must also be lived. As a matter of fact, getting a knowledge of the gospel and living it are interdependent. They go hand in hand. One cannot fully learn the gospel without living it.”
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Hear Him and learn His gospel by truly studying it.
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Art By Doc Christensen @altusfineart