The Power of the Word

I love chapter 8 of the President Benson manual.  It was taken directly from a talk given by President Benson to Priesthood leaders at the time of the April 1986 general conference, and it was actually included in the conference Ensign in May 1986.  The talk was titled “The Power of the Word” and President Benson discussed the great importance of studying the scriptures. 

His goal seems to have been to inspire these Priesthood leaders to rededicate themselves to the study of the scriptures and to teaching the members of their wards and stakes to do the same.  He quoted many powerful verses of scriptures which highlight the importance of studying and holding fast to the word of God.  He also quoted teachings of other prophets who bore a powerful witness of the need to be immersed in the scriptures.  After reading this talk I’ve wanted to write about it, but I feel a little like Jarom who when he received the task to add his own testimony to the plates, wrote: “For what could I write more than my fathers have written?” (Jarom 1:2).  It would be hard to add to what President Benson said in this address because he so powerfully laid out the need for and blessings obtained in reading the scriptures.  So instead of doing that, let me simply restate what I consider to be some of the most powerful statements in the talk, some of which are quotations from other prophets that President Benson used.

·         President Benson: “The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.”

·         President Harold B. Lee: “There are those who have seemed to forget that the most powerful weapons the Lord has given us against all that is evil are His own declarations, the plain simple doctrines of salvation as found in the scriptures.”

·         President Spencer W. Kimball: “I am convinced that each of us, at least some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again.”

·         Elder McConkie: “However talented men may be in administrative matters; however eloquent they may be in expressing their views; however learned they may be in the worldly things—they will be denied the sweet whisperings of the Spirit that might have been theirs unless they pay the price of studying, pondering, and praying about the scriptures.”

·         Elder Packer: "Buildings and budgets, and reports and programs and procedures are very important. But, by themselves, they do not carry that essential spiritual nourishment and will not accomplish what the Lord has given us to do. … The right things, those with true spiritual nourishment, are centered in the scriptures.”

·         President Benson: “I add my voice to these wise and inspired brethren and say to you that one of the most important things you can do as priesthood leaders is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently. Feast upon the words of Christ. Learn the doctrine. Master the principles that are found therein. There are few other efforts that will bring greater dividends."

·         President Benson: “Oh, my brethren, let us not treat lightly the great things we have received from the hand of the Lord! His word is one of the most valuable gifts He has given us. I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures.”

These are all deeply significant quotes about the essential need that each of us has to center our lives around the scriptures.  I fervently believe that all of these bold statements about the scriptures are true.  Just as it was imperative for the early Christians around 70 AD to follow the Savior’s warning to “flee into the mountains” in order to be physically saved from the terrible destruction that came upon Jerusalem, so in our day do we have a similar need to “treasure up” the word of God to be saved from the great spiritual deceptions of our day (JSM 1:13, 37).