Wednesday, July 15, 2015

letter from Pres. Hanks

I wanted to share Pres. Hanks' letter from a couple of weeks ago. Today will be a perfect day to do that. More rain this afternoon.......and I was just outside a couple of minutes ago. It's like the bucket gets full and suddenly tips over......sheets of rain.......and it's warm. Very different than Utah rain. Here is the letter.............



July 6, 2015

My Dear Fellow Missionaries,

Today I am going to share a piece that my Dad gave to his missionaries in London, England in 1962:

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HOW TO READ AND ENJOY SCRIPTURE

President Marion D. Hanks

WHY READ SCRIPTURES?   FOR WHAT SHOULD ONE LOOK?   Read and Mark: (1 Nephi 19:22-24)

The Prophet Nephi explains that he has read many things to his people from scripture, and he explains why.  THREE BASIC REASONS ARE GIVEN:

 (1) “...that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old.”

That is, he wanted them to know THE HISTORY OF GOD’S DEALINGS WITH PEOPLE in other times and other places.

 (2) “But that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read...”

He wanted them to have a TESTIMONY OF JESUS, which would, of course, include a testimony of our HEAVENLY FATHER, and of THE GOSPEL.

 (3) “...for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.”

The great value of scripture can only be gained when we know of the past revelations, have a testimony of Jesus and the gospel, and then… APPLY THE LESSONS AND COMMANDMENTS to our own lives.

Now read (Mosiah 1:1-7).  Write down the reasons why King Benjamin caused that his sons “should be taught in all the language of his fathers,” and become “men of understanding.”

Are these reasons different from those noted in (1 Nephi 19:22-24)?

And how should we read?  (DC 88:118) [diligently, faith]; (Mosiah 2:9) [open ears, hearts, minds, as well as eyes]; (Nehemiah 8:8) [read for understanding].

READ THE SCRIPTURES REGULARLY, THOUGHTFULLY, PRAYERFULLY.  LEARN THE LESSONS OF THE PAST. GET A TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL.  APPLY THE TEACHINGS TO YOUR OWN LIFE!

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Good counsel!

We love you,

President and Sister Hanks

Steadfast in Christ and loving the scriptures!

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