From Larry Tippetts and his book ‘Receiving Personal Revelation’:
Motives for Scripture Study
If the scriptures are so critical to our spiritual survival, why do many Latter-day Saints struggle to establish a regular, sincere program for in depth study? I often ask my classes to share what keeps them from effectively studying the scriptures, and generally I get the same list of responses. The number one reason is always lack of time, followed by lack of planning, tiredness, and difficulty in understanding. A few will admit to spiritual laziness or being out of tune with the spirit of scripture study. But after I get every possible reason on the white board, I say I don’t believe them. I don’t think it’s any of those things. When I hypothetically offer them ten dollars for every day they read a minimum of fifteen minutes for the next thirty days, 100 percent of the hands signal their eagerness to accept my challenge.
The primary reason people don’t read scripture is that they are not yet convinced taking time to do so is worth it to them—they are not sufficiently motivated! More than 60 percent of my students report they study the scriptures daily, so the majority feels it is worth it. (I do not know what percentage of adults study the scriptures regularly, but I would guess it is much less than 60 percent.) In order to study scripture regularly and intently, one needs a strong incentive. To find that impetus in your own life, first identify your needs and then ask yourself how regular study of the scriptures could help address those needs.
- What price would you pay to have a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father and your Savior?
- How valuable to you is having an ever-growing testimony of the restored gospel?
- How important would it be to really understand the doctrines of salvation?
- How much do you want to develop a more Christlike character?
- Are you in need of a solution to a serious problem or assistance in making a crucial decision?
- How much are you in need of strength to help you endure a personal or family crisis?
- Do you need greater confidence in serving a mission or in another calling?
- How important would it be for you to enjoy the redeeming and enabling power of the Atonement in order to overcome a sin or difficult weakness?
The spiritual exercises themselves, if done correctly, should provide the needed incentive to continue. When these vital behaviors (scripture study, prayer, and journal writing) become intrinsically satisfying, we have no problem getting and staying motivated. They become internally rewarding when they result in personal inspiration, character development, and divine assistance. Serious study is an essential ingredient missing in the lives of many otherwise active Church members. We need to have the word of God not just written in the leather-bound editions of the standard works but engraved on our hearts (see Mosiah 13:11, Jeremiah 31;33, and John 5:38.) When we finally begin to internalize God’s word, we will begin to think and act differently, and that will change everything. Christ becomes the center of our lives. ~Larry W. Tippetts, Receiving Personal Revelation (American Fork, UT: Covenant Communications, Inc. 2017). 90-91
