Faith | As a boy he loved the scriptures and they still guide him today

Christians believe that God communicates with us.

Businessman and faith leader Robert D. Hales emphasized this by stating, “When we want to speak to God, we pray. When we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures.”

Throughout my life, I’ve often sought guidance through scripture study. On occasions, after immersing myself in the scriptures, I’ve woken in the night with thoughts that provided clarity and direction to my questions. These insights have often led me to answers and actions.

As a boy, I developed a love for the scriptures. They impress upon us the importance of strengthening our moral compass and drawing closer to Jesus Christ. If we have faith that the scriptures reflect the mind and will of God, we naturally desire to follow scriptural teachings.

While serving in Arizona, another missionary shared a scripture that is a source of strength to me. Deuteronomy 4:9 states, “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.”

This scripture deeply touched me, and I memorized it. I’ve endeavored to heed its counsel by being diligent and remembering the spiritual experiences I’ve had. I’ve made a conscious effort to teach these experiences to my children and their families, ensuring that we all remember and cherish them.

A message we see in media settings is “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Repentance is a principle that allows us to turn from sin and align ourselves more closely with Jesus Christ. It’s a call for change, for striving to be better disciples. Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice enables us to be reconciled to him.

A scripture that has helped me understand repentance is found in The Book of Mormon. In Alma 34:15-16, it states, “And thus he, (meaning Jesus Christ), shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demand of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.”

This scripture deepened my understanding of repentance, illustrating that while the law of justice dictates that we receive exactly what we deserve, the law of mercy offers us more than we deserve. The concept that mercy can “overpower” justice and “encircle us in the arms of safety” is profound.

I hold dear the scripture found in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, which states, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” These verses affirm the doctrines that all will die and all will be resurrected. The hope we have in Jesus is that through his resurrection, all will be resurrected freely. This is a marvelous gift.

I’m grateful for the scriptures. They teach doctrine, and understanding doctrine blesses us. Religious leader Boyd K. Packer taught that “the study of doctrine will improve behavior quicker than the study of behavior.” This is true in my life.

Applying the scriptures to our lives changes us.