Elder Scott stated that “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures.” In his November 2011 General Conference talk titled “The Power of Scripture”, he said
“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. . . . 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.”
Jesus used the scriptures to give him power to withstand the temptations of the devil during a vulnerable time for Him (See Luke 4:1-13 and note the Joseph Smith Translation verses). He couldn’t have called on them quite so easily if he didn’t have them memorized.
In the October 2015 General Conference, Devin G. Durrant, First Counselor in the SUnday School General Presidency, gave a talk titled “My Heart Pondereth Them Continually,” in which he invited Church members to “ponderize” (ponder and memorize) one scripture each week.
You can help and support your children in memorizing scriptures fairly easily using the theme scriptures in FHEasy. Each week has a theme scripture which you can focus on memorizing as a family or you could encourage and support those who are interested in scripture memorization. Many of the theme scriptures are either Articles of Faith or seminary scripture mastery scriptures, all of which members have been encouraged to memorize. He said,
You might ask, “Why should I do this?” I would answer that we are living in a time of ever-spreading evil. We cannot just accept the status quo and be fed ugly words and sinful visuals almost everywhere we turn and do nothing in response. We must fight back. When our minds are filled with uplifting thoughts and images, when we “always remember him,” there is no room left for filth and trash. …
Elder D. Todd Christofferson offered this clear counsel and promise: “Study the scriptures carefully, deliberately. Ponder and pray over them. Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation.”
I promise you will not regret writing a verse of scripture on your mind and heart each week. You will experience a feeling of perpetual spiritual purpose, protection, and power.
Here for five tips to make memorization fun for your family.
- Read the theme scripture every day and have your children repeat it to you, then read the scripture for the day. When a scripture is successfully memorized, put a fun sticker on a chart or print off the list of theme scriptures and put the sticker beside the scriptures as they get memorized.
- Make a copy of some or all of the theme scriptures and tape them somewhere conspicuous like near the dinner table or your children’s beds. If your children can read, they will be more likely to review the scriptures on their own because they see them often. If they can’t read yet, you can read the theme scripture to them during meals, family scripture time, or at night before they go to bed. Click here for a printable list of all the theme scriptures in FHEasy.
- Have your children draw pictures that represent the theme scripture. If your children can read and write, have them write the theme scripture and reference on a piece of paper, then have them draw around or under it. If they are too young for that, do the writing and drawing yourself and let them color or scribble on the paper. This is a great Sunday or FHE activity that helps them focus on what you will be talking about that week.
- Go to https://goo.gl/dKKUCc for several resources for learning and memorizing scripture mastery scriptures. To watch a short video about the blessings of scripture mastery go to https://goo.gl/SUDcay
Finally, if you don’t know the song “Scripture Power,” I encourage you to listen to it here. You can download the music and lyrics on that page as well. Consider learning the song and singing it in your family home evenings and scripture study times occasionally. Although it says it’s a children’s song, I learned it when I was a seminary student in Brother Ronald Bartholomew’s class. Kids of all ages tend to love it, especially when everyone raises their scriptures when the song says “scripture power”. I personally love this song. It’s energizing and it is a great way to informally share your testimony of scripture power.
Happy Home Evenings and Scripture Study!
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