Scripture Master Tip #5: Live What You Learn.

5. Live what you learn.

It’s hard to feel connected to anything that stays disconnected from your daily existence. If your read a strategy guide every day for a video game that you never play, it’s not going to be very easy to retain, and you won’t gain very much from it.  Likewise, scripture study is always going to lack meaning for you if you never apply what you have learned in your day-to-day life. Additionally, why should the Lord bless you with increased understanding if you don’t use that understanding righteously?

The Lord is very clear about the condition of obedience that is attached to any blessing: “For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world (D&C 132:5)”. I would go so far as to say that if you truly want to gain a testimony and an understanding of any principle or doctrine you must first be willing to obey it. This is born out by the Savior’s words in John 7:17, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

It is at this point that scripture study becomes a much nobler, and more difficult, principle to live; because, as we begin to grasp the principles that we read, we are laid under a responsibility to live those principles to the best of our ability.

D&C 82:3  For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

This is a good thing, because more light and knowledge will help you to make better choices and you will be happier for it.  However, choosing to live the gospel isn't always easy.  The gospel requires you to make fundamental changes in your life and lifestyle, and even in your way of thinking.  The gospel makes you grow, and growth can often be painful (at least in the short term).  Fortunately the reward is worth the pain and difficulty that sometimes accompany a life of gospel discipleship.

"While easy to find, true principles are not easy to live until they become an established pattern of life. They will require you to dislodge false ideas. They can cause you wrenching battles within the secret chambers of your heart and decisive encounters to overcome temptation, peer pressure, and the false allure of the ‘easy way out.’ Yet as you resolutely follow correct principles, you will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Your consistent adherence to principle overcomes the alluring yet false lifestyles that surround you.  Your faithful compliance to correct principles will generate criticism and ridicule from others, yet the results are so eternally worthwhile that they warrant your every sacrifice."  (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1993,32, 34).

John 7:17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

D&C 63:23  But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.

D&C 58:2-4  For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.  Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.  For after much tribulation come the blessings.  Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

Go on to the next tip:  Scripture Master Tip #6:  You Are Not Alone!

**There are 22 Scripture Master Tips in total!  You can find them all HERE.