Memorizing Scripture Passages

Define

To memorize means to learn something by heart or to commit it to memory. Elder Richard G. Scott taught about the power that comes from memorizing scripture passages. Display the following quote and read it together:

Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change. (Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6)

Memorizing scripture passages can help us come closer to the Savior. Memorization can also bless us by:

1. Helping us understand the passage better.

2. Providing us with help, inspiration, comfort, and motivation.

3. Adding power to the words we use to teach others (see Jared R. Moon, “Why Memorize Scriptures?,” New Era, Sept. 2014, 17).

Model

Use a scripture passage from the lesson you are currently studying or Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 to demonstrate some of the memorization methods below:

• Read the words several times in a row, and then hide the words and repeat them without looking.

• Write out the words more than once while reading the verse, and then write down the passage without looking at the verse.

• Write down the first letters of every word in the verse—such as L u m i e t; d n, f n—and then use those letters to guide you as you say the verse.

• Create simple pictures to help you memorize the passage. For example, you could write:

  Ye are the of the .

Consider other creative approaches, like representing a scripture using only emojis available on an electronic device.

Practice

Use a scripture passage from your current lesson or one the students choose (or you could use one of the scripture verses listed below). Invite students to practice memorizing it on their own, in pairs, or in small groups. Invite them to try at least a couple of memorization methods.

Additional passages for practice:

• 1 Samuel 2:2

• Romans 15:4

• Mosiah 4:9

• Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

• Moses 5:8

After sufficient time, you could invite students to share with the class the scripture passages they chose (if they chose different ones) and memorization methods they tried. They could discuss what techniques they found most helpful.

Invite and Follow Up

Encourage students to memorize meaningful scripture passages during their personal study this week. These passages could be one verse or multiple verses. They could choose a passage they want to memorize and place a copy of it on a bedroom wall, bathroom mirror, device background, or similar place. Ask students to come to the next class prepared to share memorization methods they liked and thoughts and insights they had about memorizing scripture. Create opportunities throughout the week to follow up with students.