Why is it important to study the scriptures?

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

The scriptures contain the word of God. Latter-day prophets counsel us to study the scriptures every day, both individually and with our families. Studying the scriptures can help us know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, give us power to resist temptation, and strengthen us in our challenges.

Resources to Help You Prepare

These resources are to help you prepare for the “Learn together” section of the meeting.

• Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Nephi 32:3 (The scriptures can be a guide for our lives)

• 1 Nephi 15:24–25; Alma 31:5; Helaman 3:29–30; 15:7–8; Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 (There is power in the word of God)

• Doctrine and Covenants 84:45; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37 (The scriptures help us discern truth and avoid deception)

• Boyd K. Packer, “The Key to Spiritual Protection,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 26–28

• Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6–8

• Choice and Accountability value experience 1, Young Women Personal Progress (2009), 46

• “Scriptures,” True to the Faith (2004), 155–59

• “The Book of Mormon: Messages from Heaven” (video)

• “Daily Bread: Pattern” (video)

Questions to Ponder before You Teach

How has studying the scriptures been a blessing in your life? What experiences can you share with the young women?

What verses of scripture do you think could be meaningful to the young women in your class? What can you do to help the young women make their scripture study more meaningful and effective?

What can the young women do to prepare to learn? For example, they could read a talk, watch a video, or study a scripture related to this doctrine.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior used the scriptures to teach and testify about His mission. He taught people to think about the scriptures for themselves and use them to find answers to their own questions. How can you encourage the young women to turn to the scriptures to receive direction from the Lord?

Meeting Outline

1. Counsel Together and Share Experiences

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

• Our class: Who is missing today? What visits do we need to make? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity? Who needs our help and prayers?

• Our responsibilities: What assignments do we need to make? What assignments have we fulfilled? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?

• Our lives: Remind the class of the discussion from the last meeting. What experiences have we had with applying what we learned? What experiences have we had in the past few weeks that strengthened our testimonies of the gospel?

If possible, discuss these items beforehand in a class presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the class; approximately 25–35 minutes

After studying the above resources and following the inspiration of the Spirit, you may select one or more of the activities below to help class members understand the doctrine.

• Invite the young women to read 2 Timothy 3:16–17 and 2 Nephi 32:3. What do these scriptures teach about the importance of scripture study? As a class, review Elder Richard G. Scott’s list of scriptures that have guided his life (in his talk “The Power of Scripture”). Ask each young woman to make her own list of scriptures that have guided her. Ask the young women to share their scriptures with the class and explain how these scriptures have guided their lives.

• Invite the young women to read sections of one of the talks suggested in this outline. Ask them to look for blessings that come from studying the scriptures. When have they experienced these blessings in their lives?

• Ask each young woman to read one of the scriptures suggested in this outline. Ask her to draw a picture that represents what her scripture teaches, and invite the rest of the class to guess what the scripture says about the importance of scripture study. What experiences can the young women share in which they have seen the importance of scripture study in their own lives?

• Invite the young women to watch one of the videos suggested in this outline or to read “Importance of Daily Scripture Study” from True to the Faith (pages 155–56). Ask them to look for answers to the question, “Why is it important that I study the scriptures?” Invite them to share what they find. Ask a few young women to share how they study the scriptures. With permission of the bishop, consider inviting a ward member to share briefly how he or she studies the scriptures.

3. Plan to Act

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

• Ask the young women to discuss any feelings or impressions they had during the meeting. What was meaningful to them? Is there something they can do personally or as a class to apply what they have learned?

• Give the young women a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.

• Remind the young women that they will have the opportunity to share their experiences at the beginning of the next meeting.

Related Youth Activities

Plan a Mutual activity that will help the young women apply what they learned in this lesson.