"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high." [Elder Richard G. Scott, The Power of Scripture,] photo found {here}
Young Women lesson
The Power of Scripture
[Elder Richard G. Scott, October 2011 General Conference)
Ask the YW to describe the qualities of a best friend. Here are some possible answers they may come up with:
1. They help me with my problems
2. I can trust them, they tell me the truth
3. They make me happy
4. I am better when I am around them
5. They are "always there for me"
6. We have a lot in common
7. The listen to me
"Throughout the ages, Father in Heaven has inspired select men and women to find, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, solutions to life’s most perplexing problems. He has inspired those authorized servants to record those solutions as a type of handbook for those of His children who have faith in His plan of happiness and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We have ready access to this guidance through the treasure we call the standard works—that is, the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price."1. The scriptures help me with my problems
"Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth. We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained in the standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures."2. Because the scriptures are written by the power of the Holy Ghost (whose role is to testify of truth) through the Lord's chosen prophets, you can trust them. Scriptures tell the truth.
"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ."3. Like "packets of light", the scriptures inspire us to be better and are like instant messages from the Lord. I asked a YW to tell the story of the Brother of Jared. We then discussed how the stones the Jaredites used to the promised land can be compared to the scriptures illuminating our mind on our journey back to our Heavenly Father.
"The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly.4. The scriptures strengthen us when we read them
"They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. "5. The scriptures can be our truest friend and are "always there for us"
Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world."6. Having many favorite scriptures is like having a lot of [instead of just one] best friends
"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."
"Pondering a scripture like that gives great direction to life. The scriptures can form a foundation of support. They can provide an incredibly large resource of willing friends who can help us. A memorized scripture becomes an enduring friend that is not weakened with the passage of time.
Then, separating into small groups, we had each group memorize a small and simple scripture, ponder its meaning, using the footnotes if needed.Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost."Lesson Application
We emphasized that EVERYONE in the group memorizes. They all know how to memorize. They have MANY song lyrics and movie lines memorized. They all know how. This took away any one saying I can't do it!
We gave them about 15 minutes to do this. At the end of class each group came up and quoted their memorized scripture and told us what it meant to them. They seemed to have fun doing this and it was interesting to see each groups method of memorizing. Some came up with hand gestures and chants, and others just did it line by line. Bottom line, they applied Richard G. Scott's talk into their own life.
