Doctrinal Mastery Review 22

Memorize References and Key Scripture Phrases

Family in New Zealand sitting in the living room reading scriptures together.

Have you ever wondered why it is important to memorize scriptures? Memorizing scriptures can help you receive inspiration, remember the Savior, and teach the gospel to others. This lesson is intended to help you memorize some of the scripture references and key scripture phrases of the doctrinal mastery passages in the New Testament.

Why memorize scriptures?

Imagine you are participating in a survey for the For the Strength of Youth magazine. How would you respond if you were asked the following question?

• What are the top five reasons for memorizing scriptures?

There are many good reasons to memorize scriptures. Memorized scriptures can be like friends who can give us inspiration, comfort, and motivation in times of need (see Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6). Memorizing scriptures can help us “look unto [the Savior] in every thought” ( Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). Memorizing scriptures can help us “obtain [God’s] word” so we can teach others ( Doctrine and Covenants 11:21).

• How could memorizing scriptures affect your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Memorize the passages

Take a few minutes to memorize or recall the scripture references and key scripture phrases of the following New Testament doctrinal mastery passages. Once you feel confident that you know these references and key phrases, choose one or more of the following activities to test your memory.

New Testament Doctrinal Mastery: 1 Corinthians–Revelation

1 Corinthians 6:19–20	“Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.”
1 Corinthians 11:11	“Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:20–22	“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:40–42	In the Resurrection, there are three degrees of glory.
Ephesians 1:10	“In the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
Ephesians 2:19–20	The Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
2 Thessalonians 2:1–3	“The day of Christ … shall not come, except there come a falling away first.”
2 Timothy 3:15–17	“The holy scriptures … are able to make thee wise unto salvation.”
Hebrews 12:9	Heavenly Father is “the Father of spirits.”
James 1:5–6	“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”
James 2:17–18	“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.”
1 Peter 4:6	“The gospel [was] preached also to them that are dead.”
Revelation 20:12	“And the dead were judged … according to their works.”

Complete at least one of the following exercises.

Option 1: Draw a picture

Ask a friend or family member to help you do the following activity. Have the family member or friend select a doctrinal mastery passage from the list but not tell you which passage they chose. Then have them sketch clues to the passage without using letters or numbers until you say the correct scripture reference and key phrase. You can repeat this process for several passages.

• How do you think a memorized scripture can be like a friend who can give you inspiration, comfort, and motivation in times of need?

Option 2: Write it out

Choose a scripture reference from the list and write out the matching key scripture phrase. Practice writing the same phrase four or five times. Try writing the key scripture phrases for several passages. Add variety by writing in cursive or block letters. You could also time yourself and see how much you can improve your time.

• How do you think memorizing scriptures can help you “look unto [the Savior] in every thought”? (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).

Option 3: Name the scripture reference

Ask a friend or family member to help you review doctrinal mastery passages. Tell this person how many words to read to you from a key scripture phrase, and ask them to read aloud that number of words. Try to identify the correct scripture reference. Repeat this exercise as many times as you like and try requesting different amounts of words.

• How do you think memorizing scriptures can help you be prepared to share the gospel with others?

Reflect on your experience

1. Answer the following questions in your study journal:

• What exercises did you use to help you memorize the scripture references and key scripture phrases?

• How are you doing with memorizing the references and key scripture phrases for the New Testament doctrinal mastery passages? What is your plan to memorize the ones you are still working on?

• How do you think memorizing scriptures can bless your life?